Chapter 3

"Oh? Isn't this the younger Mr. Slewman? You're usually so calm and collected, and yet, the moment you see your stepmother, you fly into a rage." The older man was Tom Vlark, a powerful figure in the industry. He was very perceptive and laid everything bare in just a few sentences. "I know you've inherited everything from your father, but don't tell me you've inherited your stepmother too?" Everyone else in the lounge erupted in jeers and laughter. Nicole quickly placed her hand over Brandon's, and he thus reined in his anger and let Tom go. He then picked up a shot glass and attempted to ease the tension. "You're all my elders, and I was out of line just now. I'll drink three shots as an apology." Roxanne, who was still standing outside, felt her heart clench in pain. Everyone knew that Brandon never touched alcohol, and yet he willingly downed three shots for Nicole today. Tom and the rest, however, insisted Nicole drink three shots as well. Brandon stood protectively in front of Nicole and spoke up on her behalf. "My stepmother isn't in great health, so she can't drink liquor. I'll drink in her stead." "Since you've broken your no-alcohol rule already, Mr. Slewman, you might as well drink some more!" Kirk and the rest of the men poured him shot after shot, and Brandon ended up downing more than ten shots in one go. In the end, the whole bottle was emptied, and even the older men were in admiration of the way he was able to hold his liquor. "I've happily had a few with you all tonight, so please don't cause trouble for my stepmother in the future. Otherwise, don't blame me if I'm not as pleasant as I was tonight." With that, Brandon grabbed hold of Nicole and walked out of the lounge. He never noticed Roxanne standing outside, and he even accidentally knocked her to the ground when he opened the door. When Roxanne fell, her head struck the antique porcelain vase on the shelf nearby. This caused her forehead to split open, and soon enough, blood was flowing down her face. A waiter who happened to pass by was alarmed by the sight and quickly called for an ambulance. Roxanne raised her head, and through her bloodied vision, she caught sight of Brandon and Nicole leaving the venue without a backward glance. They completely forgot that she was there with them as well. This was the man she willingly had a secret marriage with. She had hidden everything about him from her parents, her friends… everyone. She was well aware that the Slewmans had caused horrible damage to the Lesterfields many years ago and had even nearly caused her father to lose everything. But she still loved Brandon blindly and without regret. A self-deprecating laugh escaped her. She told herself, "You brought this on yourself, Roxanne." Half an hour later, the ambulance delivered Roxanne to the hospital. The injury on her head required ten stitches, and she handled everything by herself, even spending the night there alone. By the time she woke up, morning had already arrived, and Brandon hadn't even called once. Roxanne stared at her phone. She noticed that Nicole had posted a video on her social media last night. Though no faces were visible, she could still tell that the pair of hands that were drying Nicole's hair belonged to Brandon. The caption was just another one of Nicole's lies. "My little brother is always worried that I'm lonely, so he often comes and stays with me for a few days. My little brother has finally grown up, and as his sister, I couldn't be prouder." She had made up a fake "little brother" as a cover for Brandon. She was fooling everyone. Roxanne was outraged. This was how she had been deceived by the two of them. This was how she had ended up entering this loveless, sexless marriage. She had sacrificed so much for Brandon and did everything in her power to become the type of woman he liked. She even stopped drinking her favorite red wine just because he didn't like the smell of alcohol. And yet, in the end, he still chose to stay with Nicole. With these thoughts running through her mind, Roxanne called a reporter. "Mr. Kirk Slewman's widow is sleeping with another man right now at her mansion. If you wait by the gates, you'll be able to get your headline." In their part of the country, it was common for the immediate family to mourn their deceased for three years. As the three-year mourning period hadn't passed, it would be a huge scandal if Nicole and Brandon got together so quickly, especially for a family as wealthy and prestigious as the Slewmans. However, no photos of them were released even after two hours. Just as Roxanne was about to be discharged from the hospital, she received a call from Brandon. "Come over to Coastal Club immediately," he said coldly.