Chapter 23
I fell to the ground. Julian, still reeling from my divorce announcement, was struck by Rita’s words.
Julian, darling, she’s unclean. Last night, she slept with eight men; one of them had AIDS. She’s filthy, rotten, a complete slut! Do you still want her?” Rita’s venomous words, fueled by jealousy and resentment, completely overshadowed the fact that her words exposed her crime–a crime punishable by imprisonment. She only wanted to humiliate me in front of Julian.
The
guests were stunned. Eight men in one night? One with AIDS? Was this true? But they immediately noticed a key detail: how did Rita know this? Seraphine seemed to realize something; her body swayed; her face went ashen.
I got to my feet, looking at Rita with utter disdain. I haven’t even gotten around to settling the score with you, and you’re already exposing yourself–stupid and wicked!” Turning to Seraphine, I added, “This is your prized daughter–in–law? A daughter–in–law who can join you in evil, crime, and prison?” Seraphine choked, speechless.
Julian’s eyes were dark and terrifying. The Crowes looked uneasy. The guests pieced it together: had Rita and Seraphine conspired against me? This explained the dramatic scene; my injured wrist, the signs of assault. Even the most promiscuous woman wouldn’t sleep with eight men in one night, one of them infected–even if she wanted to die, she wouldn’t self–harm so drastically. If Rita and Seraphine had done this, they were incredibly vicious.
“Why are you looking at me? Don’t listen to her! She’s promiscuous; she has AIDS! Stay away from her; you might get infected….“* Rita, still unaware of the gravity of the situation, shouted, smearing my reputation.
The next moment, Julian grabbed her throat. He pulled her before him, his eyes filled with murderous intent. “What did you do to her? What did you do to her?!” He roared, his heart breaking. Rita struggled for breath, terrified; he seemed… like he really wanted to kill her!
The Crowe brothers reacted, prying Julian’s hands away and shielding her.
Caffrey: Julian, calm down. My sister might be talking nonsense.”
Caffrey’s younger brother defended her. “Even if it’s true, you can’t accuse Rita without evidence! What if Olivia, unable to resist temptation, went out and got caught, and Rita heard about it? Knowing it would eventually get to you, she used this as a ploy to frame Rita.”
I wanted to laugh, but I didn’t immediately retort or argue with him. I knew some people loved to put on a show. Sure enough, Rita immediately put on a pitiful act, tears streaming down her face; she was both helpless and innocent. “Julian, darling, why would I do something like that? My best friend saw Olivia at the hotel, entering a room. And before Olivia went in, she saw several men entering, one of them a notorious womanizer with a disease.” “I wouldn’t have said anything, but she was so unreasonable.”
“Love isn’t about who came first. Being married doesn’t mean anything! You have no feelings for each other; we’re the true lovers; she’s the third wheel! She should step aside!” The shameless logic disgusted many. Especially the wives present; dealing with mistresses was their daily routine; they couldn’t relate to Rita and wanted to spit on her. How could someone be so shameless! They remained silent.
Julian’s face was grim, showing no sign of softening.“Can you vouch for what you said?” He meant that she hadn’t plotted against me.
“I swear it! I swear on my life! If I’m lying, may I suffer excruciating pain and die a horrible death!” Rita’s voice was firm. She looked at me triumphantly. Hah, you have no proof; if you did, you wouldn’t be silent. Those men were unreachable; even if she was assaulted, would she have the energy to catch them? Olivia Frost, even if you create a scene, even if Julian is angry now, will he still want you when he calms down? The winner is still me!
Such a vicious oath swayed some onlookers. Mrs. Crowe launched into a tirade, using every foul word she could think of. Seraphine remained silent.
< Chapter 23
I remained calm, waiting for them to finish. Then, I elegantly walked to the center of the ballroom, staring at Rita, reciting each word slowly, “Excruciating pain, a horrible death.” I shook my head.“You’re not afraid of karma.”
I took out my phone; Rita’s voice echoed through the ballroom.
Menu
“Julian doesn’t want to take your call… Are you enjoying the guys we arranged?…One of them has AIDS… We’ll give you another injection later…
Tomorrow, the video of you with eight men will be online… To celebrate, Julian and I will be announcing our engagement… Reporting this won’t help; in Chicago, we can crush you like an ant…”
“I took your man, your job… I’ll still be happy, happily ever after with Julian… As for you, you’ll die in pain. Ha ha ha…” The vicious, deranged laughter filled the hall.
The Crowes tried to grab my phone; a young man stepped in to block them.
After the recording ended, the ballroom fell silent. Most guests were shocked by Rita’s viciousness and shamelessness; Julian and Seraphine were also condemned. Rita’s face turned pale, seeing the murderous look in Julian’s eyes; she hid behind her brothers. She hadn’t expected me to record. Now, she couldn’t deny it.
What to do… Julian didn’t want her… She pointed at Seraphine, crying.“Aunt Seraphine forced me to do this!”
