Love, Hate, and Revenge

Chapter 9

Sebastian Hastings's harsh words made Gina Moretti's face turn pale. For the first time in a long while, she saw Sebastian Hastings angry with her, and over that woman. A raging fire of jealousy burned in her heart.

She understood Sebastian Hastings's unyielding character. She could no longer bring up this issue in front of him, otherwise, if she angered him, the marriage would be in trouble.

She had expended so much effort for this day. Everything seemed to be moving in a good direction. Then this woman had to reappear like a haunting ghost, and was even brought into the Hastings Group office. How could she tolerate it? She absolutely could not let this woman ruin her bright future.

She was unwilling to give up, nor could she afford to miss such a good opportunity.

She loved Sebastian Hastings. Sebastian Hastings could only belong to her.

Since they were already divorced and Sebastian Hastings had agreed to marry her, that was enough. Why push too hard?

Gina Moretti dried her tears, reapplied her makeup, and a bright smile appeared on her face. But the light in her eyes was as sinister and cold as frost.

Ivy Winslow, just wait and see how I deal with you. I will make you get out of the Hastings Group forever.

Inside the most luxurious KTV in City A, the lighting was dim, colorful lights flashed, and the atmosphere was extremely lively.

Ivy Winslow sat in the corner, completely uninterested, a helpless, faint smile on her face.

Tonight, the Hastings Group was holding a celebration party specifically to welcome her.

She really didn't want to come, but Special Assistant Liu had insisted. Unable to refuse him, she had reluctantly agreed. More importantly, she knew that Sebastian Hastings disdained attending such events. As long as she didn't have to see him, it didn't matter.

The noisy laughter and chatter made Ivy Winslow's head feel dizzy and her stomach uncomfortable. She stood up and walked outside. Her light green long dress accentuated her graceful and charming figure.

Connected to the KTV private room was a spacious open-air stage, now shaded by lush green trees swaying gently in the breeze, with a bright crescent moon hanging high above.

The faint, delicate aroma of French red wine drifted on the wind. As Ivy Winslow walked out of the private room, the breeze carrying the scent of wine brushed against the fine hair on her forehead, bringing a wave of coolness. Her brow relaxed, she let out a gentle breath, and her mood improved considerably.

This high-end club was the most luxurious and expensive venue in City A. Only the elite of City A, the wealthy and the powerful, could come here. The Hastings Group, the city's premier financial conglomerate, held its annual convention here, as well as various welcome banquets.

Being able to work for the Hastings Group was a great honor for all the talented young people of City A.

Ivy Winslow walked casually. As a daughter of the Winslow family, she was accustomed to such occasions.

A crisp, melodious laugh drifted towards her.

Ivy Winslow's steps halted, and a dim light clouded her eyes.

Gina Moretti, dressed in glamorous makeup, walked over with an elegant and charming bearing. Her figure was graceful, and her laughter preceded her.

A charming, self-satisfied smile was on her face. Her smiling eyes sparkled with a bright light. But from the occasional flashes in her dark eyes, Ivy Winslow felt a chilling coldness.

They met face to face, like rivals on a narrow path.

Ivy Winslow's heart suddenly sank, and she averted her eyes.

Another beautiful figure beside Gina Moretti made Ivy Winslow's eyes widen. Meeting those arrogant eyes, Ivy Winslow was quite startled.

The woman standing next to Gina Moretti wore a sexy sleeveless dress, her face heavily made up, extremely seductive. She was looking at Ivy Winslow with cold, disdainful contempt, her manner arrogant.

"Chloe Winslow, what are you doing here?" Ivy Winslow exclaimed.

The blurry lights reflected off Chloe Winslow's striking but youthful face, creating a surreal effect.

"What, can't I come?" Chloe Winslow raised an eyebrow and said arrogantly and provocatively. "Do you think you're the only one worthy of coming to such a high-class place?"

"You..." Ivy Winslow was momentarily speechless. She hadn't expected Chloe Winslow's perception to be so shallow. Her heart was filled with sadness. Even though her uncle's entire family had betrayed her and taken her family's wealth, Chloe Winslow was still her cousin, still a member of the family. She felt she should at least offer a word of advice.

But why was Chloe Winslow with Gina Moretti? She had just turned eighteen. Shouldn't she be in school?

Gina Moretti was a meticulous, arrogant, and vicious woman. How would Chloe Winslow, who was ambitious and only wanted to climb the social ladder by attaching herself to the powerful, understand the dangers?

Chloe Winslow's eyes were full of admiration as she stood contentedly beside Gina, diligently flattering and fawning over her.

Ivy Winslow smiled wryly. She would do what she could to warn her.

The Hastings Group had booked the entire venue for the night. Men and women, free and unrestrained, were laughing heartily, releasing their pent-up emotions. The atmosphere was fantastic!

But with Gina Moretti's arrival, the whole place suddenly fell silent. Everyone's eyes turned towards her. No one had expected Gina Moretti to come. She was usually too proud to attend such employee gatherings.

"Hello, Gina," everyone said respectfully in unison.

Gina Moretti held her head high, smiled faintly, and nodded, exuding the air of a queen.

"Miss Alice, where are you off to? Are you satisfied with tonight's welcome dinner?" Gina Moretti, her face full of smiles, blocked Ivy Winslow's path like a superior inquiring about a subordinate and asked solicitously.

Ivy Winslow was calm and indifferent, giving a faint, noncommittal smile. But her eyes turned to Chloe Winslow. She reached out and grabbed Chloe's hand: "Chloe, come with me. This place isn't suitable for you. Leave now."

Her grip was tight. She pulled Chloe Winslow towards the exit.

Chloe Winslow forcefully shook off Ivy Winslow's hand, gave her a hard shove, and cursed angrily, "Bah, Ivy Winslow, who do you think you are? How dare you try to send me away? I'm Gina's person. What are you? You're nothing but a discarded wife that Sebastian Hastings divorced. You have no shame, clinging to the Hastings Group like this. A bitter, abandoned woman. What right do you have to tell me what to do?"

Chloe Winslow's face was full of disgust. She shouted loudly, as if she wanted the whole world to know: "Don't think that just because you're hanging around the Hastings Group, Sebastian Hastings will fall in love with you. Dream on."

She glared with smug, triumphant eyes, her face full of arrogance and contempt.

Ivy Winslow was pushed hard and fell to the ground. In the sudden fall, she bumped into someone holding a red wine glass behind her. With a "clink," the red wine glass fell and shattered into pieces!

The onlookers were all stunned. Soon, whispers filled the room:

"So Miss Alice is the rumored wife of the president."

"Tsk, tsk. I heard the president really hates his wife. He never went home."

"So she's the original, unloved wife who was never seen by the president's side."

"Miss Alice isn't as unattractive as the rumors said. She's quite pretty and has a lot of style. Why wouldn't the president love her?"

"Ah, how pitiful. In the end, the president still divorced her."

...

Various unpleasant comments buzzed around. All eyes were on Ivy Winslow, who was still on the floor. The looks were a mixture of surprise, strangeness, contempt, sympathy...

No one took the initiative to help her up.

A woman the president didn't love who would dare to show her any courtesy?