Playing Mrs. Beckett

Chapter 9

Sophie had expected this. This was Beckett Holdings headquarter. Of course her crossing path with Julia Hall was inevitable. She had assumed that they would meet in the hallway, or somewhere in the office building. Yet somehow, meeting Julia in front of the private office with a special access made even more sense.

“Ah, Ms. Hall,” Sophie said, her smile unwavering. She turned her head to Adrian, maintaining a perfect, unassuming expression. She didn’t need to do much. If Adrian was still the man she knew, he would understand what this calm expression meant. Her eyes locked his, and with a light voice she said, “What a surprise.”

All without breaking eye contact.

Adrian cleared his throat, his eyes wandered. Then he shot his glance towards Julia, likely asking what she was doing here.

Julia, proving herself to be a formidable force, gave away nothing.

“Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Beckett. I’m sorry to disturb your quality time, but as Mr. Abbott had said, there is something that requires immediate attention. I am here to deliver the papers.”

Sophie watched with a calm expression. Mr. Abbott. Her gut feeling told her that he was worth investigating.

Julia walked towards the elevator, about to excuse herself. But Sophie managed to get a glance of her necklace. Of course, it was the same ruby necklace that Adrian had “mistakenly” given her.

“That is a beautiful necklace, Ms. Hall,” Sophie said, her voice unburdened. But that light, unworried tone seemed to rattle them more. Well, Adrian, to be exact.

Truly, how disappointing. How did Adrian even afford to be this reckless? Ever since the beginning of his affair, he was moving in such a conspicuous way. That was why Sophie decided to hire an investigator in the first place. Perhaps it was because of her, too. Because Sophie had played her role as a trusting wife, Adrian didn’t even bother to conceal things.

Perhaps Adrian didn’t think she'd notice. Somewhere along the way, Adrian had stopped worrying about being caught. Because Sophie Beckett always folded. All Adrian had to do was coax her a little.

“Thank you, Mrs. Beckett,” Julia said. Her lips lifted into a smile. Sophie swore there was a flicker of mockery. She blinked, and then it was gone. In its place was a soft smile, as if Julia was reminiscing a beautiful memory. “My boyfriend gave it to me as my birthday present.”

“Really? When is your birthday?”

“It’s today, Mrs. Beckett. Tenth of July.”

“Oh, then happy birthday, Ms. Hall! Sorry, I have nothing to give you.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Beckett. But you’ve given me the best gift I could have.”

Sophie almost snickered. The audacity of this woman. “Have I really?” Sophie said, then she turned to Adrian. “Dear, you’ve been silent for a while now. Why don’t you congratulate Ms. Hall, too?”

“Sophie, let’s just—”

“But isn’t it interesting?” She said, feigning cluelessness. “You accidentally gave me a ruby necklace yesterday. Today, the same necklace was on Ms. Hall!” Then Sophie followed with a small chuckle.

Both Adrian and Julia stood frozen. A bead of sweat trickled down Adrian’s temple, and as if understanding the predicament Adrian was under, Julia finally spoke.

“Yes, truly interesting,” she said hastily, almost as if trying to run away. “Anyway, I’ve left the papers on your desk, Mr. Beckett. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

And with that, she disappeared into the elevator.

The silence that followed was suffocating. Sophie stood there, watching as Adrian tried his hardest to appear unaffected. He scanned his thumb print to the reader by the door, and Sophie watched as the door unlocked.

Julia Hall had access to this door with fingerprint authorization.

If their New York penthouse was Sophie’s turf, this headquarter was Julia’s.

Sophie had thought her heart was dead. She was wrong, because even right now, she could feel a silent, tranquil rage rising within her.

They walked inside. None of them said anything until the door was closed. Noticing Sophie’s piercing stare, Adrian waited for Sophie to talk. But Sophie stayed silent. Somehow, that unsettled him more.

“About the necklace—”

“Yes,” Sophie cut him off. “What a crazy coincidence, right dear?”

That stopped Adrian dead in his tracks. He swallowed, his explanations and excuses fading away from his mind.

“See, I’m scared that I will read this incorrectly again, so my dear Adrian, please tell me,” Sophie said, a smile never leaving her. She stepped forward, closer. Until there was barely any distance left between her and her dear husband.

“What should I read it as?”