Chapter 4

Roxanne arrived at the Coastal Club an hour later. She had just walked into the private room when she saw Nicole sitting next to Brandon. Nicole was wearing a pair of shades and a hat. She was covering herself up tightly. She even had a handkerchief in her hand, with which she used to dab at her tears. Even though Brandon was intentionally keeping her at a distance, it was still easy to see the concern he had for Nicole in his eyes. He didn't notice the bandage wrapped around Roxanne's head. If she hadn't spoken, he wouldn't even have noticed that she had walked in. "Why did you ask me to come here?" Roxanne asked. Brandon looked over, and only then did his attention turn to her. His brows furrowed. "Were you the one who called the reporters this morning?" Roxanne stiffened. She reflexively glanced over at Nicole, who had already removed her shades, revealing a bruised left eye. Brandon looked even more disappointed when Roxanne didn't answer him. "I've already had someone look into the number that contacted the media, and it was indeed yours. "They also admitted that it was a woman who tipped them off about a major scoop, and that was why they were lying in wait in front of the Slewman mansion. "Do you realize how out of line this was? One of the reporters even rushed forward to get a shot, and their camera lens hit Nicole in the eye." Nicole chimed in, "Forget it, Brandon. We might have mistakenly blamed Roxanne. Why would she slander me and try to ruin my reputation?" Brandon stared at Roxanne coldly. "Well? Was it you?" "I merely told the truth to the media. Was that really so wrong?" Roxanne thought to herself with a self-deprecating laugh. She had endured a night in the hospital by herself, and the injury on her head had been caused by Brandon no less. Had he ever shown her an ounce of concern? She was sitting in front of him, and he still hadn't shown the slightest concern for her. On the other hand, Nicole only needed to shed a few tears, and here he was, interrogating her. Another figurative crack appeared in her heart. She asked Brandon in return, "How do you know what happened so clearly? Unless… you were at the Slewman mansion?" Brandon's expression stiffened. Roxanne continued, "Since you said it's slander, then that means your stepmother is innocent. Or do you also believe that she has had relations with other men during her mourning period?" Brandon's eyes darkened. "Don't talk nonsense. There's no way she would do something so stupid during her mourning period." Nicole hurriedly chimed in, "Roxanne, please don't misunderstand. These reporters like to make things up. Brandon is just worried about the Slewman family's reputation. He's already paid a hefty sum to get rid of those reporters, and there won't be any negative press about this at all." Roxanne bit down on her lip, not saying anything. Nicole had already won the bet, but she still wanted to flaunt Brandon's favoritism toward her in these final days. Roxanne was beyond thankful that she had already signed the divorce papers. Otherwise, she'd have to endure this kind of torture every day going forward. "Alright, let's just turn a page on this matter," Nicole said, before suddenly exclaiming, "Roxanne, what happened to your head?" Roxanne remained silent. "Did you bump into something?" Brandon asked as he glanced at her. "You're still bleeding. I'll have someone bring more gauze," Nicole said before stepping out of the private room. This left Roxanne and Brandon alone inside. Brandon sighed. "Regardless of whether you were the person to call the media or not, I hope you'll stop targeting and doubting Nicole. She doesn't have a husband to stand up for her anymore. She's pitiful enough as it is." Roxanne's hands clenched tightly into fists. What about her husband? Who was he standing up for? "No matter what, she's still my stepmother. I'll be more appreciative of you, too, if you treat her better." Brandon gently took hold of Roxanne's hand. "Roxanne, if you're good to her, I'll be even better to you, too." Roxanne sneered inwardly. She couldn't help but ask, "Brandon, do you even think of me as your wife?" "Of course, you're my wife." "And yet this is how you treat your wife? You let her suffer such indignation?" Before Brandon could answer, a loud yell sounded from outside. "Fire! There's a fire!" Alarmed, Brandon instantly dropped Roxanne's hand and dashed out the door.