I was already debating whether to confront her when I heard the voices of distinct chatter.
"Who do you think would win the bid this time?"
"What do you mean who? Wasn’t that established already? I thought this bid was just for formality?"
"Sure. But that was before."
"Huh?"
I heard someone ask, and I couldn’t help but focus to overhear better.
"They’re in the middle of an internal investigation. Were you living under a rock this whole time?" Chided the woman.
"Doesn’t really illicit a vote of confidence to clients when they haven’t cleaned up their own backyard properly." Offered a young man.
"Why didn’t they wait before launching an investigation? They could’ve sealed the deal first, then investigated."
I actually thought of that, too. But Lucian said it had to be done as soon as possible. If the other two bidders have the correct pricing, they may be able to lower their bids.
That would leave us with a bid much higher than the ones from the other two—a sure loss.
"A case of bad timing. It’s unfortunate because this project could’ve propelled Lucian Sinclair to instant stardom."
"The old croons couldn’t be dreaming of landing projects like this at his age."
"Your sister’s obsessed with him, right?"
"Tsk. Don’t remind me. She’s been holding vigil since he got married. You’d think she had a chance as some 15-year-old kid."
Holed in the veranda, I could only overhear them from the inside. They laughed and teased about the wistful delusions of a child.
"But my sister kept insisting that Lucian’s been off his game since he married Eliana Thornhill."
I had to roll my eyes because I couldn’t just protest my innocence. The guy started out problematic, okay?!
"I guess everyone else noticed, huh?"
The voice I expected came from behind. Traces of the earlier sweetness and innocence couldn’t be found. For now, she only dripped with viciousness.
"You got tired of acting innocent and meek?" I raised a brow at her.
"You don’t deserve him."
"And you do?" I cocked my head, waiting for her response.
"You’re not even a Thornhill anymore. What use would he have for you?"
"Use? Let’s see. Last I remember, without being the heir to the Thornhill clan, I’m still the only heir to the entirety of the Anderson Group."
Raising a finger to my head as if thinking, I added, "Oh! And just the other day, I saved my husband some billions in revenue."
"Saved them? Are you that stupid? You’re about to cost them billions in revenue instead." Jessica shifted her stance as if ready to pounce at any time.
"Then, if that’s really the case, shouldn’t you be thanking me instead?"
She scoffed, "Aren’t you thinking too highly of yourself?"
"Then I’d gladly hear about your contributions?" I gestured a hand, signaling for her to start.
She looked ready to explode; her face had gotten red, and she’d been posturing.
"Miss Sanders, you’ve been counting contributions and worth since we started, so I figured you’d be ready with at least a list?"
Nothing. Because she hated this industry and only loved the perks it gave.
"I don’t want to assume your purpose in repeatedly provoking me, but I’d like you to understand something important."
I smiled and moved closer, wanting her to hear me clearly.
"My existence, by itself, is useful to my husband. And on the off chance that we do split up, or even when I die, I’m dead sure it won’t be you he’ll end up with."
My words were harsh, but that’s the truth.
There was just no way that Lucian would end up with this one. The others may have a chance, but someone who feigns fainting spells to attract attention is right up there with the things that Lucian despises.
That’ll take time from his work, so that’s a no, Ms. Sanders.
"How dare you talk to me like that! Don’t you think I know how you’re just some used rag he picked up?" Jessica looked just about ready to throw her clutch bag at me.
But if she’s managed to retain a bit of her senses, she wouldn’t do that when she’s already managed to attract the eyes of so many people.
"Exactly my point, thank you. Whether or not I’m useful, worthy, or trashy, I still got picked up. He even did it himself."
"I thought you could be reasoned with, but just some selfish stuck-up." She angrily enunciated her words.
"I’m selfish?" A hand on my heart while asking.
"If you really loved him, you would have stayed away from him. You’ve brought nothing but bad news. But instead, here you are embarrassing him even more."
I couldn’t help but laugh at her, "Miss, your definitions are skewed. Selfishness would be running away from my husband. People like you always assume they know him. Did you factor in his feelings or reaction? Should I just abandon my own husband?"
He has none, but this girl and these onlookers don’t need to know that.
"And I don’t believe the truth to be an embarrassment. We could’ve continued as normal, but there’s this concept of integrity, and we’d rather uphold it. If it’s wrong, then it’s wrong. We’ve got a clean conscience."
"Is that your way of relieving yourself of guilt? A woman exiled from her clan, thrown away by his fiance, embroiled in a sex scandal, and now a whistleblower that tarnished a good company’s reputation. You’re just itching to be that relevant, huh?"
So she’s prepared this list instead.
There’s music across the venue, but here it was suddenly so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.
"Aren’t you the guilty one for spreading misinformation? I left that clan on my own accord. And broke up with Jasper over his infidelity. Then, I had him jailed for digitally creating photos that he wanted to pass off as me."
I corrected her misinformation loudly. These people need to get their stories straight.
"And as for my relevance in the company, I’d be guilty of negligence if I didn’t do my shareholdings some justice." Jessica took a step back, probably surprised that I have a legitimate stake in Sinclair Construction Corp.
"The company’s reputation was great because they dealt with issues head-on and not because they were good at keeping the problems hidden. Please don’t underestimate my husband’s core values like that."
You’re all about Lucian’s this and that; now, let’s see if you can diss him.
"He’s really lucky to have you." A voice came from someone whose footsteps were so light that I had to whip my head in surprise.
It’s that guy, Nicholas Bernard!
What kind of crimes had I committed in my past life to have such things happen to me?