Retribution in Bloom

Take the Money and Leave My Man Alone

"Stop right there!" Scott's low voice rang out, his handsome face now marred with thinly veiled disgust and anger. "Michele, don't make me hate you even more."

At those words, Michele froze in her tracks.

Her eyes, red and swollen, were brimming with sorrow, humiliation, and an unwillingness to accept defeat. Yet, she ultimately gave in, deflating like a punctured balloon.

Gritting her teeth, her voice filled with stubbornness and pure anger, she declared, "In this lifetime, the only wife you will have is me, Michele! No other woman should even think about it!"

With that, she spun on her heel, feigning composure, though her steps were unsteady as she staggered away.

As Michele's footsteps faded into the distance, a pang of disappointment tugged at me. However, I remained composed, aware that this was just the beginning of a long journey filled with more thrilling encounters ahead.

The moment Michele disappeared, Scott immediately got off the bed and put a deliberate distance between us. I mirrored his actions, standing by the bedside.

With his back to me, Scott's voice was tinged with frustration as he growled, "Get out! You're just—"

But before he could complete his sentence, condemning me to merely being his secretary, I had already turned and dashed out of the room.

Scott was left stunned, slowly turning as his gaze followed my swift departure. A flicker of exasperation crossed his face, his lips twitching silently at my abrupt exit.

…

The next morning, as I stepped out of my small, rented apartment, a van screeched to a halt right in front of me.

Before I could react, two men in black suits emerged, one on either side. Without a word, they grabbed my arms and shoved me toward the open van door.

Panic surged through me as I demanded, "Who are you? Why did you catch me?"

One of the men sneered coldly, "Hmph! Do you think you're the first woman to try and seduce our boss? You're playing with fire if you think your little tricks can be hidden from the lady of the house."

'The lady of the house? Is he talking about Michele?' My mind raced.

It had only been yesterday that I escorted the intoxicated Scott back to the Langley Residence before making my exit.

If Michele decided to investigate my whereabouts, she would quickly discover my visit. 'Have I been found out before I even made my move? Shit! I've been too careless!'

…

To my surprise, however, the men drove me to a cafe.

There, in the cafe, sat Michele, lounging back in her chair with one leg crossed over the other.

She glanced at me haughtily and commanded in a tone that brooked no argument, "Sit!"

I frowned slightly, a brief hesitation flickering through my thoughts. Before I could organize them, a firm shove from behind sent me stumbling forward.

I landed awkwardly on the chair opposite Michele with a thud, looking utterly disheveled.

"Ha!" Michele let out a soft scoff, lifting her coffee cup for a slow, deliberate sip before fixing her gaze back on me.

"Tell me, how much money will it take for you to leave Mr. Langley?" she asked with haughty disdain.

My heart clenched at the bluntness of her query, but I maintained my composure, careful not to betray any emotion.

"Mrs. Langley, I think you've misunderstood. I'm just Mr. Langley's secretary. There's nothing personal between us."

I wasn't lying. Currently, I was indeed flirting with Scott. Though his instincts were clearly aroused, he hadn't fully taken my bait yet.

"So—"

Before I could finish, a card flew through the air and struck my face with its sharp edge, slicing a stinging pain across my cheek.

I was shocked by Michele's brazenness, especially going so far as to humiliate me in public.

"Ha! A woman like you, clinging to whatever beauty you have left, throwing yourself at any man with money and power. Isn't that exactly what you are? A gold digger?"

Michele's fingers intertwined as she leaned forward, her elbows on the table and her chin resting on her knuckles.

She glared at me, her rosy lips moving with a sharp, cutting tone as she commented, "There's 10 million in this card. No matter how skilled you are at making money, you'd never earn this much on your own, even if you sleep with countless men."

Her voice rose, and she did not bother to keep it down. "Adrianna Nanami, why don't you just nicely take the money and get out of my sight?"

Around us, the other customers turned their attention our way. Mocking gazes landed on me as whispers began to circulate and fingers rudely pointed in my direction.