Filed to story: Unmasking the Billionaire: Don’t Mess with the Ex (Victoria & Carter) Book PDF Free
As she spoke, Isabella glanced meaningfully toward Robert, who sat quietly observing the exchange.
Victoria nearly laughed aloud at the performance.
Reflecting inwardly, she marveled at her own past naivety. How had she ever been deceived by such transparent tactics?
“Ms. Williams, is it?” Victoria raised a skeptical eyebrow. “You keep insisting you and Carter are just friends. Are you truly claiming you have no ulterior motives whatsoever?”
“W-What? Ms. Lewis, I don’t understand what you mean.” Isabella feigned innocence.
“Spare me the act. I’m leaving Carter, clearing the path for you both. Shouldn’t you be thrilled? Why try to persuade me to stay? If I actually clung to him, how would you ever get your opportunity? Am I wrong?” Victoria’s tone was laced with sarcasm, her expression impassive.
“Ms. Lewis, Carter and I are completely innocent. He’s always taken care of me, but we’re merely friends…” Isabella glanced tearfully toward Carter, her eyes glistening.
“You sound so certain. Then swear to heaven you’ll never become involved with Carter. If you do, may lightning strike you dead five times over.” Victoria raised an eyebrow challengingly, throwing Isabella’s own words back at her.
“You… I…” Isabella stammered, leaning into Carter and whimpering, “Carter, this is all my fault…”
“Enough!” Carter snapped. “Victoria, that’s going too far. I never knew you could be so vicious, saying such terrible things.”
“Funny, I never realized you could be so blind,” Victoria shot back, her tone frosty. She had zero patience left for him.
“You – “
Just as Carter was about to explode, Isabella took his hand. “Carter, let’s just go eat. Jenarth keeps saying he’s hungry. We shouldn’t disturb Ms. Lewis any longer.”
“Fine.” Hearing that Jenarth was hungry, Carter turned and looked toward Jenarth, who sat at their table watching them with a worried, tearful expression.
Carter’s gaze shifted from Jenarth to Robert, who sat beside Victoria looking utterly entertained by the drama. The comparison angered him further. His son was being corrupted by Victoria’s influence, and he would have to address that with her later.
“Isabella, let’s eat.” Carter pointedly ignored Victoria and returned to his table with Isabella.
He summoned the waiter and proceeded to order the most extravagant dishes on the menu, along with Eve Restaurant’s famous chef-special cake – specifically because Jenarth had expressed a desire for it. He even arranged for the chef to prepare the cake tableside.
Carter made sure his voice carried, ensuring everyone in the vicinity – including Victoria and Robert – could hear his lavish orders.
Watching Carter proudly show the menu to Jenarth, Robert couldn’t suppress a snicker. “What a complete fool!”
“Robert, eat your food. We’ll leave when we’re finished,” Victoria said, placing more food in his bowl.
They had come here to enjoy a meal, and she wouldn’t let some insignificant people ruin their mood.
Unbeknownst to Victoria, the entire scene had been observed from a private room on the upper level.
By the window, a man lounged casually in his chair, his gaze fixed on Victoria with interest.
“You know what they say – when rivals meet, the sparks fly. These people certainly know how to put on a show. Two women fighting over one man, and they’re so composed in public. Eugene, do you think she genuinely doesn’t care, or is she just putting on a brave front?”
“Landon, did your company collapse and leave you with nothing better to do than gossip?” Eugene didn’t bother looking up, merely swirling the wine in his glass.
“Come on, who doesn’t enjoy good drama? That man is Carter Myers!” Landon Voss raised an eyebrow significantly. “The current CEO of Myers Group, the rising star of the business world. Since you’re expanding operations here, aren’t you considering a partnership with Myers Group?”
Eugene’s eyes darkened at the mention of Myers Group. He followed Landon’s gaze downward, his eyes settling on Victoria and Robert.
“Damn, Carter’s living the dream. Two women, both with children in tow. If this gets out, it’ll cause quite the scandal – might even trend online,” Landon remarked, unable to contain his curiosity. “So, what’s your guess? Who’s the wife, and who’s the mistress?”
Who was the legitimate wife, and who was the mistress?
Eugene’s gaze traveled from Victoria to another table nearby, where Carter sat with Isabella.
“I couldn’t quite catch their conversation earlier, but I’d bet that woman found out Carter was dining here and brought her child along just to get his attention!” Landon glanced at Victoria and clicked his tongue disapprovingly. “She’s got decent looks, but she doesn’t understand her position. If you want to win a man’s heart, you need to know how to play the vulnerable card. That’s what triggers a man’s protective instincts.”
Landon’s meaning was clear – he believed Victoria was the mistress, while the woman beside Carter was the real wife. Unfortunately, the mistress didn’t know how to play her role properly, so Carter simply ignored her.
Eugene observed the restaurant scene, a trace of amusement in his eyes.
Women pretending to be weak to elicit male protection – the woman beside Carter had certainly mastered the act. In contrast, Victoria behaved as if Carter didn’t exist. Since Carter had sat down, Isabella had been stealing glances at Victoria, but Victoria hadn’t looked their way even once.
Domestic dramas? Eugene couldn’t be less interested. Carter, CEO of Myers Group, might be famous in Capaville, a prince in the public eye, but in reality…
Regardless of who was the mistress, it was clear Carter didn’t handle his relationships well.
“Seems I need to reconsider partnering with Myers Group,” Eugene remarked slowly, taking a sip of wine with impeccable elegance.
Landon remained fixated on the restaurant scene as if watching a prime-time drama. He took a sip of his drink, then suddenly perked up as if he’d made a major discovery. “Eugene, look! Carter just stepped out, and the wife is about to confront the mistress.”
Eugene raised an eyebrow and glanced downstairs.
Carter had risen to take a phone call outside, leaving only Isabella and Jenarth at the table. Unlike Victoria, who continued eating peacefully with her child, Isabella glanced toward Victoria’s table, then stood and began walking in her direction.
Watching the scene unfold, Landon continued his commentary. “Looks like the wife isn’t to be trifled with. She held back while her man was here, but now she’s going in for the attack.”
Eugene’s eyes drifted to Victoria, who remained focused on her meal with her son, and commented coolly, “Seems the great romantic expert might have misjudged this one.”
“Huh?” Landon looked confused.
*****
“Mom, what if that jerk dad never signs the divorce papers?” Robert asked, concern evident in his voice. He’d called Carter “Dad” for years, yet Carter had always been distant with him. Now, watching Carter play the doting father with Jenarth for all to see, Robert grew increasingly irritated. No wonder he thought Carter was despicable.
“Whether he agrees or not is irrelevant. He will sign.” Victoria’s eyes turned cold at the mention of Carter.
From this moment on, she and Carter were finished forever.
“Ms. Lewis, could we talk?” Before Victoria could respond, a sweet voice interrupted.
Victoria looked up to see Isabella standing by their table, her expression cold.
It seemed someone was craving attention again!
“I don’t believe we have anything to discuss,” Victoria replied coolly, meticulously removing fish bones before placing the cleaned fish into Robert’s bowl.
“Ms. Lewis, I’m begging you, please don’t be angry. I don’t want Carter to be upset because of you. If this situation is my fault, I feel terribly guilty.” Isabella lowered her head, adopting a remorseful expression. “Ms. Lewis, it’s because of my poor health that Carter constantly worries about me. I should be the one apologizing to you.”
Isabella’s voice was soft and gentle, dripping with apparent sincerity.
But Victoria’s face remained impassive, her demeanor radiating a “keep your distance” aura that made her appear cold and harsh.
Victoria wasn’t foolish. She could detect the subtle barbs in Isabella’s words – implying she was petty, mocking her failure to win Carter’s affection, and flaunting Carter’s preference for Isabella’s company.
In the past, Victoria might have retorted that she was Carter’s lawful wife and he shouldn’t behave this way. But now? Carter meant nothing to her.
“Ms. Williams, aren’t you tired?” Victoria raised a skeptical eyebrow. “Carter isn’t here right now. There’s no need to maintain the act.”
“Ms. Lewis, you…” Isabella feigned confusion. “How can you say that?”
“Mom!” Jenarth approached and stood beside Isabella.
