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“She doesn’t,but I do!”
The crowd parted.Mr.and Mrs.Nolan approached,her face stern:“This is my charity gala,and no one’s ever dared bring a mistress here to flaunt!”
“Nathan Spencer,right?Security,get them out!”
Nathan paled.I smirked.Was he too arrogant, or was he just clueless?
Mrs.Nolan and her husband were famously devoted and were the city’s model couple.
Parading a mistress here was a slap in the face to them.
I created trouble tonight to show them Nathan’s idiocy was contagious.
Without my guidance,he couldn’t even get in the door!
He opened his mouth,but Mrs.Nolan had security eject them.
They became a laughingstock.The earlier flatterers went silent.
Mrs.Nolan smiled at me warmly.
She looked familiar.Then it hit me—my mom had tea with her!
Mom posted her in group chats.After I got married,Mom played mahjong with her,but I was too busy with Nathan to notice.
In a quiet corner,Mrs.Nolan said:“Your mom and I are in the Pear Blossom Club.She founded it.She always bragged about your smarts.”
I wasn’t sure if she was praising or shading me, but I smiled.
Ethan cut to the chase and stated our goal.
Mrs.Nolan grinned:“I knew you’d come for this.Talk to my husband.I’ll greet guests!”
Mr.Nolan stayed,intrigued by our pitch.We talked for over an hour in a meeting room.Emerging from the meeting room,we saw Nathan and Chloe outside.
Seeing us,Nathan lunged and swung at me.I grabbed his wrist,shoving him aside.
“What’s wrong with you?”
He steadied himself,incredulous:“Emily,you did this on purpose!You dare lay hands on me!”
“Do you think you’re untouchable?”
“Nathan,you’ve had it easy.Have you forgotten how you started?”
He glared,his face livid, as Chloe chimed in:“Don’t bother,Nathan.Once we nail this project,we’ll crush her like an ant!”
I shrugged and smiled:“We’ll see.”
I pulled Ethan away.He frowned:“Your ex…always this blind?”
I nodded,sighing:“Guess so.I have no idea when he lost his judgement.Forget him.”
Though we had aligned with Mr.Nolan,securing both lots wasn’t easy.
Funding wasn’t finalized,but Nathan’s team took the Southside plot for $900 million,betting everything,even taking loans.
I frowned.No fear of collapse?
Meanwhile,Nathan and Chloe gloated,posting about victory parties online.
Old partners called me.