Chapter 23 Nova and Corin Alone–Kael Arrived!
Grace, unaware of the tension, smiled and chimed in, “How thoughtful of you, Ms. Reed. Don’t let Ms. Hale’s guidance go to waste.”
Sloane smiled, dimples forming on her cheeks. “Of course not! Ms. Hale is so kind–I’d never let her down!“]]
She looked at Nova, tilting her head playfully.[]
I won’t let her down, all right. I’ll take everything from her, leave her with nothing for the rest of her life.]
Corin glanced at silent Nova. His brows furrowed slightly, his eyes deep as a pool]
Nova stood up, taking the wine glass from Sloane. Her expression was still gentle and calm, eyes soft–like she was easy to push around.[]
Sloane sneered inwardly. Just as she’d thought–Nova was a pushover.[]
She looked away, drank her wine, then sauntered back to her seat. She leaned back, waiting.[]
Wasn’t Nova supposed to care about her reputation? She couldn’t wait to see Nova make a fool of herself–after drinking the wine laced with laxatives.
The thought made her grin.]]
But a minute passed, and Nova was still chatting with Grace and Corin, smiling easily–unaffected.[]
Sloane frowned. Why isn’t it working?[]
Suddenly, a dull pain hit her stomach. She doubled over, clutching her belly, face turning red. “Ugh–“[]
“Wait, is that a bad smell?” a maid whispered.[]
“Looks like it’s coming from over there.” Someone subtly pointed at Sloane.[]
Sloane heard them and saw the glances. She bit her lip, enduring. The stench was unbearable.
Grace frowned, face dark. “What’s going on? Did something go bad?“]
Nova covered her nose with a tissue, eyes glinting with mockery as she looked at Sloane–whose face had turned pale and green.[]
A wet sound escaped. Sloane couldn’t hold on anymore. She jumped up, face white. “Sorry, Ms. Quinn–I’m not feeling well. I need to use the restroom.“[]
She fled the dining room–but everyone saw the stain on her dress.[]
“Pfft–did you see Ms. Reed?” a maid laughed.]
“What a disaster.”
“Haha!”
The words stung like needles, stripping Sloane of all dignity. She was used to being admired–never endured such humiliation!
Grace frowned, glaring at Sloane’s empty seat and her things. Her tone sharpened. “Replace all this. Throw away the dirty stuff!“]}]
“Yes, Ms. Quinn.” The maids held back laughter and stepped forward to clean up.[]
Sloane froze. She was mortified, face turning even greener.]]
She looked up–and saw Nova’s unhidden, cold smile.[]
Sloane suddenly realized–she’d been played by Noval Nova had turned her own trick against her![]
Another cramp hit Sloane’s face went ashen.]
Humiliated and furious, she ran to the restroom []
In the dining room, Nova’s smile hadn’t faded. Her eyes crinkled, long lashes brushing her cheeks–bright and lively. Thinking of Sloane’s embarrassment, her bad mood uned
Corin sat quietly, raising an eyebrow at the woman across from him. His gaze was deep.]
Chapter 23 Nova and Corin Alone–Kael Arrived!
“What are you smiling at?” Grace asked, eyeing him suspiciously.[]
Corin pulled himself together, picking up a cup of coffee and taking a sip. His voice was as cold as ever. “Was I smiling?“]
Grace was left speechless. She narrowed her eyes, doubtful.]
After the commotion, no one wanted to stay in the dining room. They moved to the living room.]
Meanwhile, Sloane suffered in the restroom. When she came out, her legs were weak, energy drained–she looked like a zombie. She leaned against the wall, then ran into Nova, who was touching up her makeup at the sink.[]
Compared to Nova’s flawless makeup, Sloane looked like rotten garbage.
Sloane ground her teeth, hatred burning in her eyes. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you? Watching me make a fool of myself!“[]
Nova glanced at her in the mirror, closing her lipstick tube slowly. “You brought this on yourself. You’re too stupid to pull off a prank–how dare you mess with me?“]
Sloane’s face flushed red, then pale. She clenched her fists, sneering, “So what? You’re so smart, but you can’t keep your man. I snap my fingers, and he leaves you for me Your position’s hanging by a thread!“[]
She paused, then added, “Oh, right–I forgot. How did it feel in the haunted house? Seeing Kael with me? Hurting, then being abandoned by him?“[]
Nova’s heart stung, like being pricked by a bee.[]
She remembered that night–Kael had known she feared the dark, known her ankle was badly hurt. But he’d still left her for Sloane. The haunted house had been cold and dark. She barely remembered how she’d walked out.
Sloane crossed her arms. “He worries about me. He went to the obstetrics checkup with me. You know–Kael wants a baby so bad. These days, when we’re together… he doesn’t use protection. He wants a baby with me!“[]
At those words, Nova felt like she’d been hit by a hammer. The pain was suffocating.
Years ago, she’d hurt her abdomen saving Kael–she could barely get pregnant. It was a scar she’d never dared to mention.[]
Her eyes turned red at the corners. Her hands, hanging at her sides, tightened until her knuckles turned white.[]
Sloane laughed, placing a hand on her stomach. “And you? I heard you can’t have kids. Ha–you’re basically a barren cow-”
Before she finished, a loud slap echoed.[]
e.“l
“That’s for your rude mouth, for insulting me.”
Sloane’s head snapped to the side. Her cheek burned. She stared at Nova, shocked. She touched her cheek, frowning. “Bitch, how dare you–“[]
Slap!
Another slap hit her other cheek. Sloane stumbled.[]
Nova’s cold voice followed. “That’s for trying to trick me.”
“Nova! You crazy woman! You hit me!” Sloane’s eyes bulged. She lunged at Nova, hands outstretched to scratch her.]]
Nova kicked her away, grabbed a mop from the corner, and pressed it to Sloane’s face. Sloane lost her balance, falling onto the floor with a thud.[]
“Ah Screams filled the restroom]]
That mop was used to clean floors–maybe even the toilet! Sloane made her living with her face–she was on camera every day![]
“Nova, I’ll kill you![]
The only response was a loud door slam. Nova walked away without looking back, grabbing a tissue to wipe her hands. After teaching Sloane a lesson, her chest felt Lighter.
But when she turned around, she froze. She looked up–and saw Corin []
Did he hear everything? Nova’s heart skipped a beat.
Her feet rooted to the ground. “M Mr. Thorne…]
