Chapter 6
664 Words
What hurt her even more was the sight of Adrian naturally slipping an arm around Selena's waist.
His gaze swept over the name badge on her chest that displayed only her surname and title. Then he spoke with polite detachment. "You're the manager, I presume? I've brought my wife here for her birthday. Thank you for taking the time to receive us personally."
Wife.
The word pierced Vanessa's heart like a blunt needle.
The divorce cooling off period had not even ended, yet he was already impatient to claim the title of husband.
She forced down the tightness in her throat and maintained a professional smile. "Mr. Hawthorne, Mrs. Hawthorne, welcome. Please leave your luggage with us. I will introduce the resort to you."
Her voice trembled slightly, but she steadied it by force.
Adrian frowned faintly, studying her. "Your voice…"
"Honey," Selena interrupted sweetly, tightening her grip on his arm. "I am really looking forward to the hot springs. Please ask the manager to show us around."
Adrian immediately withdrew his gaze and gently patted her hand. "All right."
Then he nodded at Vanessa with courtesy. "Thank you for your trouble."
Throughout the tour, Vanessa kept a professional distance.
She only wanted to endure this ordeal calmly.
When Adrian stepped away for a moment, Selena instantly dropped her disguise. With a light laugh, she leaned closer. "What a coincidence, Deputy Manager Vanessa
. Did you arrange to work here just to cling to Adrian?"
Vanessa clenched her fingers, her nails digging deeply into her palm.
"Do you know how he described you?" Selena lowered her voice, each word slicing like a blade. "He said that when he agreed to be with you back then, it was only because you chased him ninety-nine times and looked pitiful, like taking in a homeless stray dog."
Rage surged to Vanessa's head. Her whole body trembled, and she nearly lost control and raised her hand.
But she could not.
This job was her last foothold.
In the next second, a sharp slap rang out.
Selena suddenly grabbed Vanessa's wrist and struck her own face hard with it.
She fell to the ground, tears welling as she covered her reddened cheek.
"I am sorry, Vanessa. Adrian and I only pretended to be husband and wife for a mission. I promise I will not tell him your identity, so he will not suspect that you followed him."
Almost at the same time, Adrian rushed over at the sound.
He looked at Vanessa coldly. "Vanessa? Following me all the way here. You truly have nothing better to do."
"If I had not run into this, how long would you have continued bullying Selena?"
Vanessa suppressed her trembling. "I did not bully her. We can check the surveillance footage."
"And I work here. I did not follow you, Mr. Hawthorne."
She maintained her final trace of professional composure as she spoke.
Adrian sneered. "Do you think I would believe you? Your lying skills are still as poor as ever."
He suddenly stepped forward, his tall figure casting an overwhelming shadow over her.
"It seems I was too tolerant in the past and made you forget your identity."
His voice was low, laced with icy mockery. "Did you not repeatedly say you wanted a divorce and to support yourself? Fine. I will grant you that."
"Here, the customer is supreme. Serve us well. If my wife and I are satisfied, perhaps I will show mercy." He leaned slightly closer, enunciating each word. "Otherwise, I will have you removed from here immediately."
Vanessa shuddered.
She lowered her eyes and remained silent for two seconds. Then she bent deeply at the waist in a ninety degree bow. "I am sorry, Mr. Hawthorne, Mrs. Hawthorne. Please forgive my offense."
Adrian curled his lips in disdain. "That is more like it. From tomorrow onward, come to our room every day to attend to my wife. If she is dissatisfied in the slightest, you know the consequences."
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