Chapter 14
14
His words were so serious and convincing that even I almost believed him.
He was truly a master of manipulation. It was no wonder the old me could never let him go.
But it didn’t matter. I was no longer the same person, and he could ho longer manipulate me.
The room fell silent.
The crowd’s emotions were complicated. They had thought they were merely aligning with Irvin’s intentions by putting me down and holding Julianne in high regard.
But now, they found themselves chastised by the very person they sought to please.
It was… a lot to process.
Julianne’s face darkened ominously, so much so that words failed to describe her expression. Yet she gathered herself and smiled warmly at me in the blink of an eye.
“Millie, do you believe me now? There’s nothing between me and Irvin. You just worry too much.”
Her words painted me as the crazy , paranoid woman again.
But I wasn’t the same anymore. Her provocation wouldn’t rattle me.
I replied with a smile, “Oh, don’t blame me for worrying. Let’s see–on our wedding anniversary , you asked my husband to watch the Northern Lights with you. On my birthday, you invited him on an overseas trip. On Valentine’s Day, you had him send you roses and a diamond ring.
“You even sent me photos of all your joyful moments together. Tell me, who wouldn’t misunderstand? If you don’t believe me, why not ask the other ladies here? Would any of them not misinterpret this behavior?
“Misunderstanding? Really? Your actions say otherwise. You cross boundaries without a second thought and still have the audacity to blame me for misunderstanding you. Honestly, you win at this point.”
In the past, when I loved Irvin, these things were an unbearable torment for me. I couldn’t bear to think about them, let alone bring them up.
But now, I didn’t care anymore. I couldn’t use these incidents against them.
Meanwhile, the other women I cued thought they would tear Julianne apart if they were me.
Looking back now, the story between Irvin and Julianne was nothing more than the tale of a scumbag and a shameless woman.
No, they were even worse than that. They were malicious yet still wanted to be seen as true lovers.
How utterly shameless!
In an instant, everyone’s gaze toward Julianne shifted.
Julianne’s facade of composure cracked. She dropped her gaze, and her eyes welled with tears.
Before she could speak, Irvin interjected sharply, “Emilia, that’s enough. I’ve already explained. Those were just business trips. She’s my secretary, as you know well.”
I let out a soft laugh and thought to my old self, “See? If he actually loved you, he would never have le. you endure such humiliation. Toss this trash into the bin where it belonged.”
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25 BONUS
14
Irvin flinched at my smile. He suddenly felt uneasy and wanted to say something
Just then , Dad couldn’t watch his beloved Julianne humiliated any longer and berated me, “Millicent ! How can you say that? Stop making a scene at your grandmother’s birthday. You’re disgracing her!”
But Grandma spoke up instead. “Disgrace? Not at all. This is the best birthday present I’ve received in years ! ”
Grandma was happy that I, her precious granddaughter, had finally stood my ground. Why should they commit such shameless acts yet leave me to bear a degrading reputation and be ridiculed by others?
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