Chapter 29
Before I could respond, the manager returned, leading over a dozen male models. I was momentarily stunned into silence.
“Pick anyone you like. They have every type of man imaginable. Don’t you like those domineering CEO types? Look at that man in the suit—doesn’t he look just as good as Ashton?” Macy teased, selecting a youthful, puppy-eyed model.
The man seemed experienced, walking over to Macy with a charming smile. He poured her a glass of wine before taking her hand. Macy didn’t refuse; she merely leaned into his arms with a smirk.
My jaw nearly dropped. Did she come here often? No wonder she could never get a boyfriend.
“What are you staring at? Hurry up and choose one!” Macy urged, nudging me playfully.
Flustered, I forced a smile. “I… I’m good.”
Rolling her eyes, Macy pointed at the man in the suit. “Fine, you stay here and keep her company.”
With that, she sauntered off with her chosen companion, leaving me alone with the well-dressed stranger. Uncomfortable, I shifted in my seat.
“Uhh… I’m not—” I started awkwardly.
“No need to explain, Miss. I understand,” he interrupted with a knowing grin. “Everyone’s like this the first time. You’ll get used to it.”
I stared at him, utterly speechless.
He remained unfazed, smoothly initiating conversation. “What do you usually enjoy doing?”
“Reading,” I replied politely, still uncomfortable.
He nodded approvingly. “Well, it’s no wonder you give off such a classy vibe.”
I forced another smile before standing. “Excuse me, I need to use the restroom.”
Leaving the lounge, I wandered through the club, unable to find the bathroom. Instead, I ran into two all-too-familiar faces.
Rebecca and Joe.
They were walking toward me from the opposite direction, and avoiding them was impossible. The moment Rebecca spotted me, her smile evaporated. She turned to Joe. “What is she doing here?”
Joe looked equally surprised. He shook his head. “Ashton told her to go home after Herb Garden. He didn’t let her come with us.”
So, they had planned to meet here—without me. That explained why Ashton had sent me away earlier.
Rebecca sneered. “Why do you insist on following Ashton everywhere, Scarlett? How shameless can you be?”
Joe, never one to miss a chance to insult me, chimed in. “Seriously. Give it up already.”
I had no patience for them. “You think too much. I’m here with a friend,” I said flatly.
Rebecca’s eyes raked over me critically. “Didn’t you just have an abortion? What are you doing in a place like this?”
Joe smirked. “She’s probably lonely. Ashton never touches her, so she has no choice but to find someone else.”
Anger flared in me. “You should rinse your mouth when you get home, Mr. Quinn. You’re polluting the air.”
I turned to leave, unwilling to waste another second on them, but Rebecca stepped in my way. “It’s been a few days since we last met, and you’re still running that sharp tongue of yours. Have you not signed the divorce papers yet? You don’t actually think Ashton would stay with a woman who just lost a child, do you?”
I met her gaze coldly. “Have you already forgotten that you just lost your child too, Rebecca?”
Her face darkened with rage. She swung at me, but I caught her wrist midair.
“If you want to play innocent, at least do a better job,” I said icily. “Ashton would hate to see you like this.”
I let go of her wrist and turned to leave. But Rebecca had other plans. The moment I released her, she deliberately staggered back, crashing into the wall.
From an outsider’s perspective, it looked like I had pushed her.
To my misfortune, Ashton and Jared had just arrived. They witnessed the entire scene.
Joe immediately sprang into action. “Are you insane, Scarlett?” he bellowed, rushing to help Rebecca. “All she did was talk to you, and you shoved her?”
A few words? So I was just supposed to let her insult me?
I crossed my arms. “If you refuse to use your eyes and brain, Mr. Quinn, kindly donate them to someone who will.”
Ashton and Jared stood at the side, watching, hands in their pockets. Their expressions were unreadable.
I met Ashton’s gaze briefly before dismissing him. I had no interest in staying any longer. Without another word, I turned and walked away.
Joe, of course, couldn’t let things go so easily. He grabbed my wrist roughly. “You think you can just walk away after attacking someone? Were you raised by dogs, Scarlett?”
Fury surged through me. “Are you mentally unstable, Joe? When did I ever push her? You want to lecture me about running my mouth when you started it?”
I yanked my hand free and stormed off.
But just as I brushed past Ashton, he suddenly reached out, catching me by the wrist, forcing me to stop in my tracks.