Love, Hate, and Revenge

Chapter 8

The sharp sound of high heels striking the floor rang out, rapid and loud, mixed with arrogance and agitation.

Ivy Winslow's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly as she heard the unusual noise.

A strong, imported, expensive perfume scent drifted in. Ivy Winslow looked up.

Gina Moretti walked in, sexy and beautiful. She wore a rose-red short suit skirt with a "wide-open front," a deep V-neck reaching almost to her navel, quite sexy and alluring. Her thick, golden, wavy long hair casually draped over her shoulders. Her full, sensual red lips were full of charm.

Her slender high heels elongated her figure, making her look lithe and graceful. She was indeed a woman with impressive assets, the woman behind the powerful President of the Hastings Group, Sebastian Hastings.

Gina Moretti's face was full of pride, her eyes gloomy. Her cold, disdainful gaze was fixed intently on Ivy Winslow.

"Ivy Winslow, why did you come to work at the Hastings Group?" Gina Moretti asked arrogantly and haughtily. Her flushed cheeks showed extreme anger, and her narrow eyes flashed with a sinister light.

Her expression looked as if she wanted to tear Ivy Winslow apart!

Ivy Winslow avoided her contemptuous gaze, smiled coldly, sat down on the sofa in front of the desk, and replied casually, "Is there a problem?"

Gina Moretti held a special position in the Hastings Group. Everyone knew about her relationship with Sebastian Hastings, and no one dared to openly offend her.

Ivy Winslow knew that her arrogance was certainly backed by Sebastian Hastings. But she had also heard that Gina Moretti had indeed made significant contributions to the Hastings Group. Three years ago, when the Hastings Group was in turmoil, Gina had secretly used her father's connections to strongly support Sebastian Hastings, stabilizing the falling stock prices of the Hastings Group and giving Sebastian Hastings a chance to recover.

Therefore, Sebastian Hastings's affection for her was not without reason.

"You should understand: Sebastian Hastings has never loved you. He even detests you. I know you still love Sebastian Hastings. Give it up. You're already divorced. It's over. Sebastian Hastings will never fall in love with you. He's going to marry me soon. We have always deeply loved each other. You really shouldn't have come back to work here. If you have any self-awareness and know what's good for you, get out immediately." Gina Moretti's heart fluttered with anxiety at Ivy Winslow's casual indifference, and she roared with harsh, stern words.

Ivy Winslow's heart twitched as if stabbed and salted, causing a chill to spread through her body. Her throat felt tight and uncomfortable.

What she said was true. Sebastian Hastings had never loved her. He loved Gina Moretti.

The light in her bright eyes was as cold as frost. Ivy Winslow's expression was calm. "Oh, I forgot to tell you, I'm a designer hired by the Hastings Group at a high salary. Working here was Sebastian Hastings's idea. I think you should go ask the President, or have him fire me. Either way, it's up to him."

Her expression was extremely calm. The light in her eyes flickered nimbly, as if she was indifferent to everything, including her marriage to Sebastian Hastings.

Gina Moretti's cheeks flushed even more. She pointed at Ivy Winslow and said angrily, "How dare you use Sebastian Hastings to pressure me, Ivy Winslow. Don't think that just because we were classmates, you can ignore me. In the Hastings Group, my status and contributions are unmatched. Even Sebastian Hastings treats me with respect. I've put a lot of effort into the Hastings Group, and I will not tolerate you coming to destroy it or reap the benefits without working for them. You're just a discarded wife. If you have any shame, you shouldn't have come back. Save yourself some face! No one knows you were once the president's wife. Now everyone knows Sebastian Hastings loves me and wants to marry me. If you're not afraid of humiliation, then stay!"

Having said that, Gina Moretti twisted her slender waist and turned to leave. After taking just a few steps, she looked back, her face full of contempt, and said mockingly:

"You? A car designer? With your meager skills, you're not even qualified to seduce Sebastian Hastings. I don't believe you could design that car. Probably some other man helped you! Your little tricks might fool Sebastian Hastings, but they don't fool me. Let me tell you! In Sebastian Hastings's heart, you're just a cheap woman. Even looking at you is a waste of time."

Such humiliating words would have made Ivy Winslow tremble with anger and back down in the past. But now, her heart had been tempered enough to be strong.

Her expression was calm and composed. Her bright eyes shimmered with an elusive light. Her long eyelashes fluttered, looking rather playful.

"So you do remember we were classmates! I wonder who's the shameless one. When I went to the United States three years ago, who was it that clung to my husband so shamelessly? Dare you tell how you ended up by Sebastian Hastings's side?" Ivy Winslow stood up, her sharp eyes like lightning, exuding an intimidating aura.

Gina Moretti's face paled. A flicker of panic passed through her heart, but she quickly regained her composure.

Her expression was haughty, like a queen looking at a subject she despised. She said coldly, "Ivy Winslow, if you have the guts, stay. Just don't let me get any leverage on you. Just wait and see. As long as you can stand the humiliation, I'll be happy to play along."

Gina Moretti's face was grim. She twisted her slender waist and walked away gracefully.

"Sebastian Hastings." As soon as she entered Sebastian Hastings's office, Gina Moretti's eyes reddened. She threw herself into his arms like a red butterfly, looking as if she had been terribly wronged.

Sebastian Hastings was on the phone in his office, his expression somewhat grave. Gina Moretti's sudden lunge and embrace caught him off guard. His handsome brows furrowed slightly, and a flash of displeasure appeared in his eyes.

"Didn't I tell you? You need to be mindful of your image and impact in the office. Why are you still so willful?" Sebastian Hastings hung up the phone, his tone clearly displeased.

This woman. He had told her many times to watch her words and behavior in the office and at work. But she just couldn't change. Whenever she saw him, she would cling to him, regardless of the occasion. The more crowded the place, the more she stood out, as if she wanted the whole world to know.

"Sebastian Hastings, I missed you." Gina Moretti nuzzled against his chest, speaking coquettishly.

Sebastian Hastings shook his head slightly, gently pushed her away, and said calmly, "Alright, speak. What's wrong now? Who upset you?"

Gina Moretti's watery almond eyes welled up with a layer of mist. "Sebastian Hastings, why did that cheap woman come back to work at the Hastings Group? Why?"

Cheap woman? Sebastian Hastings was startled for a moment, then immediately understood. His expression darkened. He walked straight to the sofa and sat down, looking completely indifferent. He said calmly, "You can't call her that anymore. She's now a top-tier talent the Hastings Group has hired at a high price. A global car designer. Our company needs talent like hers now. Anyone who can bring benefits to the company will be valued. You need to watch your wording from now on."

"Valued?" Gina Moretti's heart tightened. An inexplicable sense of panic hit her. Her body trembled. She threw herself into Sebastian Hastings's arms, crying, "Sebastian Hastings, you said you never loved her, that you detested her. How can you possibly value her?"

Gina Moretti was confused by this sudden turn of events. She really didn't understand. Sebastian Hastings clearly detested her and didn't love her. Why was he now speaking up for her?

"Gina Moretti." At the mention of Ivy Winslow, a strange emotion flickered through Sebastian Hastings's heart. He pulled the woman away from his embrace, his voice suddenly colder. "Gina Moretti, she's just a designer hired by the company. In my company, regardless of who she is, as long as she has real ability and talent, the company treats everyone equally. That is my style and the Hastings Group's principle for employing people. You should understand that."

Sebastian Hastings's patience had reached its limit, yet he still tried to reason with her in a gentle tone.

"Sebastian Hastings, if you hired ten other women instead of her, I wouldn't care. But not her. Fire her, please. For my sake, please?" Gina Moretti pleaded tearfully, her face streaked with tears. "Sebastian Hastings, have you forgotten your father? He's still lying in the hospital. All because of that woman!"

It was like a dull thunderclap exploding in Sebastian Hastings's heart. His whole body jolted, and he was stunned for a long moment.

Gina Moretti clearly felt the change in his body. A smug smile curled at the corners of her lips. She continued to fan the flames, saying, "Sebastian Hastings, this woman is scheming and cunning. I can see she's not to be trifled with. Now that she's divorced you, she's surely resentful. She'll bide her time and take revenge on the Hastings Group. Sebastian Hastings, drive her away."

Sebastian Hastings's stiff body gradually relaxed. A fierce light slowly passed through his eyes. He decisively barked, "Enough, Gina. This is the office, a workplace. Don't drag personal grievances into it. The decisions I, Sebastian Hastings, make never require anyone else's input. In the future, you need to control your words and behavior and learn to respect others. I don't want to hear any unpleasant rumors."

Having said that, Sebastian Hastings stood up, his face dark, and turned to walk out.

Ridiculous. Would he, the dignified President of the Hastings Group, fear revenge from a woman?

Besides, if he fired her, the Vista Group would gain wings. He was a shrewd businessman. He knew very well the stakes involved.