Tricia’s hand tightened around her wine glass, her knuckles whitening with the pressure.
Her smile was fixed, yet inside, bitterness churned like a storm. She hadn’t reconciled with the result of this meeting—far from it.
The sight of Davis, clinging so closely to Jessica ever since they’d entered the room, left her reeling.
She remembered how it all began—how her friendship with Davis had blossomed over time.
He had always treated her with kindness, respect... but never affection. To her, he was the best man in the world, the only man who could match her dreams.
She’d dropped hints over the years, even boldly made advances, but Davis had never wavered in his polite rejection. Still, Tricia wasn’t one to give up easily.
Coming from one of the most prestigious families in Noveira, she’d always relied on her background to open doors.
And when she heard that Davis would be visiting, especially with his company struggling, she saw it as her golden opportunity.
She had hoped to swoop in, offer aid, and win his gratitude—perhaps even his heart. But now, standing across from him as he doted on another woman, she felt those hopes unravel.
The name echoed in her mind like a curse. That woman was ruining everything. Tricia watched, her jaw clenched, as Davis and Jessica whispered and smiled at each other, lost in their own world. Shameless, she thought. How dare she?
Determined to reclaim control, she cleared her throat, cutting through the room’s ambient chatter.
Jessica glanced at her with disinterest, a cold smirk curling her lips. Finally ready to make your move, she mused inwardly, sipping her wine.
"You see, Davis," Tricia said smoothly, her voice regaining its charm, "I’ve been thinking about everything you said. And since the company relaunch is happening next week, I was wondering if it’s not too late to be one of your esteemed investors."
She ended the statement with a thinly veiled challenge, her eyes locked with Jessica’s.
Jessica didn’t flinch. Instead, she leaned closer to Davis, her voice laced with feigned innocence and affection. "Hubby, isn’t Tricia so kind? I told you things might not be as bad as you feared."
Her smirk was anything but innocent.
Alex, seated nearby, raised an eyebrow. Something about this trio’s interaction felt like watching a chess game—every move calculated, every word a disguised blow.
Matt, reading the rising tension in the room, stood up with a charming smile. "Rebuilding a company from the ashes is no small feat. But with all the good news flying around, I think this calls for a toast."
Lucas nodded in agreement. The others followed suit.
Alex reached for a fresh bottle of wine, his tone cheerful. "No old drinks for this toast. If we’re celebrating new beginnings, then we should open something fresh."
After carefully removing the seal, he popped the cork with a satisfying pop, drawing applause from the room. Adah clapped with enthusiasm, and the atmosphere lightened.
Everyone’s glasses were refilled. They lifted them high. "To new beginnings and new life," Alex declared.
The room echoed the words, each person repeating them with varied degrees of enthusiasm. Yet among them, Luke hesitated. He stared at the wine in his glass, his fingers tightening. He couldn’t drink it, but neither could he put it down.
The past haunted him—painful and raw.
Jessica noticed his struggle. Though he’d been cold since their arrival, she sensed something deeper—a wounded heart nursing old grudges. She considered saying something but held back, deciding to let him confront his emotions on his own.
Moments later, Luke brought the glass to his lips and drank. Jessica exhaled softly, relieved.
Just then, a figure stepped into her view. Tricia. "Davis," she said sweetly, "don’t you think I deserve a personal toast as an investor?"
Davis gave her a warm, professional smile. "Of course, Tricia. You’re deserving of one."
They clinked glasses. "To new beginnings," she said. They both sipped a bit from their drinks, and Tricia turned to walk away. But just as she moved, Jessica’s voice rang out.
"Watch your step, Tricia."
Tricia froze, stunned. Then she turned slowly, eyes wide. "Oh, thank you," she said with a forced smile.
But as she turned again, her hand ’slipped.’ The glass tilted, and wine splashed down, some of it landing near Jessica’s hem.
Jessica’s reflexes saved her body and dress, pulling back just in time. The wine splattered on the floor with a light splash.
Tricia gasped dramatically, covering her mouth. "Oh no! I’m so sorry—I,...I missed my step" She set the glass hastily on the table and snatched a napkin, hurrying to help.
The room fell silent. The entire thing had happened in seconds.
Davis narrowed his eyes, sensing something off. There was a strange energy between the two women. Before he could say anything, Adah stepped forward.
"Tricia," she said flatly, "was that really an accident?"
"With the amount of space in this room and the distance between you and Jessica, missing a step seems... unlikely."
All eyes shifted to Tricia. The weight of their stares bore down like stones.
Jessica glanced at Adah and gave her a brief, grateful nod. At least someone wasn’t buying the act.
Tricia’s lips trembled. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Adah, how could you say that? I only slipped a little—"
"Be thankful Jessica dodged it," Adah cut in, her tone sharp.
She’d known Tricia long enough to understand her games. Tricia had always pined for Davis and saw any woman close to him as a rival. This wasn’t surprising. It was typical.
Now, under the weight of judgment from the entire room, Tricia’s composure cracked. Her family name—though respected—was not as influential as the others here. The humiliation was complete.
Unable to stand it, she turned and rushed out of the room, her heels clicking loudly against the floor.
Jessica stood quietly, then took a breath and moved.
Davis caught her hand. "Let her go," he said softly. Jessica gave him a small smile. "I’ll be fine."
He hesitated, then let her hand drop.
"Excuse me," she said to the room. "I’ll just check on her." And with that, she stepped out, the door clicking shut behind her.
Adah exhaled and turned back to her phone. "Davis, you’re lucky," she said absentmindedly. "But your wife... she’s too kind for her own good."
Davis looked at her. "Are you sure she’s being kind?"
Adah glanced up, her brow arching. "What do you mean?" Davis didn’t answer. A subtle smile crossed his face.
Because he knew Jessica wasn’t being kind and was never kind when provoked intentionally.