He Betrays Me, So I Take Revenge

Chapter 3

Half an hour later, Archer and Jessica returned to the private room one after another.

Jessica, now thoroughly satisfied, was in high spirits. "This is so dull. Let's make things more exciting."

"Oh? Do you have any suggestions, Ms. Donovan?"

"Why don't we all put our most cherished mementos together?"

Alcohol heightened the group's excitement. They placed their valuables and keepsakes on the table.

After thinking for a second, Archer removed the bracelet from his wrist.

It was a gift from Samantha.

"Then what? What do we do next?" someone asked.

Amidst the crowd's anticipation, Jessica smirked and suddenly swung a nearby liquor bottle.

With a loud bang, the bracelet shattered.

Samantha's pupils dilated in shock, her fingers trembling uncontrollably.

She stood frozen, staring at the fragments as if her own heart had broken along with it.

Jessica tossed down a card. "Five hundred thousand for your keepsakes. This game's called 'nothing money can't buy'."

Regaining her composure, Samantha felt fury surge through her.

She shoved through the crowd, wanting to tear apart Jessica's hypocritical mask.

She roared, "Jessica Donovan!"

Pretending fright, Jessica shrank into Archer's arms. He instinctively shielded her and snapped sharply, "Samantha!"

"You're protecting her?" Samantha's eyes burned red. "I bought that bracelet for you!"

Archer hesitated but couldn't bear to let Jessica be hurt.

He replied, "I know... Ms. Donovan didn't mean it. It was just a game."

Samantha's nails dug into her palms, her voice shaking violently.

"A game?" Her voice broke with anguish. "Archer, I spent three months' salaries to get that for you!"

Tears welled in her eyes but refused to fall.

"I didn't know she went through that... I was just joking..." Jessica spoke with feigned innocence, almost convincing if not for her triumphant eyes.

Archer sighed. "Samantha, stop this. Ms. Donovan has given you the money."

"Money?" Samantha lowered her lashes with a bitter smile. "Do you think I care about money?"

She pointed at Jessica, hissing through clenched teeth. "She knew exactly what it was and destroyed it deliberately! And you..."

Her gaze cut into Archer. "You wouldn't even stand up for me!"

Having his authority challenged repeatedly, Archer grew angry.

"Enough. With everyone watching, isn't this embarrassing?"

Samantha stared in disbelief. "Am I the embarrassing one, or are you hiding something?"

"Enough!" Archer snapped, raising his voice. "You're drunk. Go home."

Meeting Jessica's smug, gloating look, Samantha felt her heart turn to stone.

A bitter smile touched her lips as she fixed Archer with a determined stare.

Under her piercing gaze, Archer squirmed visibly. Then, Samantha turned on her heel and left.

Tears fell unbidden, stubbornly refusing to be wiped away.

The icy night wind knifed through her, yet couldn't match the gnawing void spreading in her chest.

Meanwhile, Archer forced a smile. "Sorry for the mess."

The group offered half-hearted comforts, but the game was clearly over.

When the gathering ended, Archer moved to find Samantha, but Jessica clamped onto his wrist.

"Archer, you're not angry with me, are you?"

Archer hesitated, then adopted a placating tone. "Of course not. Truth be told, I've been meaning to stop wearing that bracelet. It's rather unprofessional for client meetings."

Jessica replied, "What a relief. I was afraid you'd be upset."

As they spoke, Jessica surreptitiously stopped recording.

Jessica: The second time Archer didn't choose you.