Brianna had to hand it to the mistress; she herself had once been in that position, but Emily was even better at playing the victim. With a single tearful look, her eyes brimming with tears, her face adorned with a sorrowful beauty, she was indeed breathtaking.
Any man would be moved by such a face. Even the two bodyguards standing nearby couldn’t help but frown, thinking Brianna was being too harsh.
"Don’t know where you got on my bad side? Are mistresses nowadays this shameless? Having an affair and still putting on an innocent face, who are you trying to fool?" Brianna, though rational to some extent, was incensed at the thought of the man she had fought so hard to win over being deceived by this mistress. How could she not be furious?
Thinking of this, Brianna raised her hand again, slapping Emily several more times. Emily’s lips were bleeding, her face swollen and red from the force Brianna used.
"Please, ma’am, don’t misunderstand me..." Emily sobbed, covering her face with her hands.
Despite everything, there was a certain pitiful quality to the way the mistress cried.
Just as Brianna was about to increase her force, an angry voice came from outside the door.
Brianna turned in shock to see the man walking in—wasn’t that Robert? He should have been inside the house, why was he coming in from outside?
Brianna was momentarily baffled.
Robert stormed over, his rage evident at the sight of his beloved woman so badly beaten. Without hesitation, he slapped Brianna several times.
Her ears ringing, Brianna fell next to Emily, staring in disbelief at the man she had loved for decades, now glaring at her with a twisted expression.
"You shrew! Emily and I have nothing going on, yet you barged in here to hit her! Do you want to disgrace us all? Apologize to Emily immediately!"
Robert, of course, would never admit to anything. Admitting would mean losing his leverage.
Besides, Brianna had no solid evidence of his infidelity. Even if she knew he had been here, without proof, she was powerless against his denials.
"No relationship? You...you hit me, Robert! Don’t think I don’t know...you sneaked her here for a tryst while at work! I...I have video proof!"
Brianna’s face burned with rage and pain, "Robert, how can you do this to me? How can you betray me?"
"I didn’t! I came here because...Emily was unwell, and I brought her some medicine!"
Robert glared coldly at the bodyguards, "What are you recording for? Don’t you want your money?"
The bodyguards’ faces turned sour as they reluctantly put away the camera. Brianna sobbed, "You heartless man! You’ve wronged me...Robert, fire this tramp immediately, or we’re through!"
Brianna took a step back, knowing not to push him too far.
If Emily was fired, she would lose her chance to be near Robert.
"Go home!" Robert commanded angrily, directing the bodyguards, "Take madam home first. I’ll take Miss Emily to the doctor!"
Brianna stood up, dusting off her clothes and tidying her disheveled hair, "Robert! If you don’t give me an explanation, prepare for your scandal to be exposed!"
Brianna’s entire body trembled, but she cast a disdainful glance at the sobbing Emily before striding out of the room.
She couldn’t understand it. She had clearly seen Robert enter this room, so why did it seem like he was coming from outside? How had he slipped out?
Lacking solid evidence of this, Brianna couldn’t make a bigger scene. After all, tearing things apart with Robert wasn’t a wise move.
At the very least, her financial support would be cut off or severely limited.
After Brianna left, Robert quickly locked the door and rushed to Emily, helping her up. "Are you okay, baby? Don’t cry, it’s my fault. I didn’t protect you."
Seeing Emily’s swollen, tear-streaked face filled Robert with anger and guilt, deepening his loathing for Brianna.
Emily, though sobbing, didn’t blame Robert, which only increased his guilt and desire to compensate her.
"Please stop crying. You can’t stay here anymore. Give it two weeks, and I’ll have the workers speed up the renovation. Soon you’ll have your new place."
Emily looked up at him with her tear-filled eyes, "Honey, you don’t need to do this. I’ve already said I don’t need a house..."
"Don’t worry. No one will know. I’ll give you both houses, okay?"
A wave of satisfaction washed over Emily. Two houses in exchange for a few slaps—Brianna would be furious if she knew the truth.
"But... won’t this be bad if your wife finds out..."
Robert smirked coldly, "She won’t know. I’ll have the workers design it well. You’ll see the secret soon enough."
With Robert’s firm insistence, Emily said nothing more, snuggling into his arms, a slight smile playing on her lips.
After a long day of shopping with Chloe, Ella felt like her legs were about to give out.
Chloe teased her about her poor physical conditioning, that she got tired after a few steps and needed to exercise more.
Finally, Chloe, showing her usual thoughtfulness, pulled Ella into a juice shop to rest.
"Two apple juices, please!" Chloe ordered enthusiastically, eyeing Ella with interest.
"So, what’s up with you and Eric? My grandpa said to return that painting to you, so you better take good care of it!"
Ella bit her lip, "We’re just friends."
She felt a bit embarrassed saying that. Every time they met, Eric would get a bit handsy, and she had even used her hands and mouth to help him out in that way...
If she told Chloe, she’d probably scream in shock.
"Really? I think he’s been really good to you. I mean, come on, he gave you a thirty-million-dollar painting after just two meetings... I’m so jealous I could scream."
Chloe exaggeratedly sipped her juice, "Thirty million! How many rich guys are that generous?"
Ella smiled softly, not saying much. Chloe suddenly shook her hand, "Look, that hottie is staring at you!"
Ella followed her gaze through the clear glass window and saw a man leaning against a sports car, looking directly at her.
That man was none other than Mason, whom Ella had met in Eric’s office.
Though Mason resembled Eric somewhat, he exuded a much more flirtatious and charming aura.
Mason smiled at Ella and started walking toward them!