14
Six months later, I ran into Damian at another gala.
Out of the blue, I thought of Amber. “Are you still seeing that girl, Amber?” I asked casually.
Damian blinked. “Who?” Then, as if remembering, his expression tightened slightly. “Is she a friend of yours?”
I shrugged. “An ex–coworker I had some issues with. Last I heard, she was dating a ‘tycoon“.”
He caught my mocking gaze and visibly relaxed. “Never heard of her,” he said smoothly. “Definitely not me. Why would I date anyone else when I could be with you?”
I rolled my eyes and turned to leave.
“I’ve got something to show you tomorrow,” he called after my retreating back.
I pretended not to hear and went to find Alex.
The next day, Damian sent me a video and an address.
In the video, Amber, dressed in something sheer and flimsy, was fawning over a balding, pot–bellied middle- aged man, refilling his drink with a sickeningly sweet smile. The man’s hand slid inside her dress. Instead of
pulling away, Amber shifted, adjusting her position to give him better access.
I was stunned.
The address was for a karaoke club–one of Damian’s family’s properties, which he managed. We sometim- es went there to give him some business.
I made two calls, and soon Gita and Alex were with me.
We found her in a private room. Amber was kneeling on the floor, pouring a drink for the same man from the video. Her clothes were so thin you could see her skin through the fabric. Her posture was poised and pract- iced, almost ritualistic in its subservience.
When she saw us, her face twisted into a snarl. “What are you doing here? Come to laugh at me?!”
I nodded. “Yes, actually.”
My bluntness stunned her into silence for a second, then she exploded. “You know Damian! You knew this is what he would do to me! Why didn’t you tell me?! Are you happy now, seeing me like this?!”
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Chapter 2
12.44
She was practically screaming. “I’m buried in debt because of him! I’m going to be stuck in this hell for the rest of my life! ARE YOU SATISFIED?!”
Even now, she blamed everyone but herself. A truly hopeless case.
I nodded again, more emphatically this time. “Very satisfied.”
Alex looked at her with cold indifference and took my arm. This was all Amber’s own doing.
But my words sent Amber into another frenzy. She scrambled to her feet and lunged at me.
