When Andrew reached the door, he turned back and said one more thing to me.
"Jade. Be good. Wait for me to come home."
Hazel stood beside him. At the moment she turned her back to me, she tilted her face slightly—and hooked the corner of her lips at me in a lightning-fast smile.
There was not a trace of apology in that smile. Only open provocation and victory.
The door opened.
I watched Andrew follow her out without the slightest hesitation, and the last bit of warmth left in my chest completely dissipated.
"Andrew. If this is how you choose to handle things—"
"I'm not satisfied. I'll deal with it in my own way."
Andrew finally turned around. His face was calm, as if he thought I was merely throwing a tantrum. He even chuckled softly, offering a perfunctory kind of reassurance.
"Alright, Jade."
"Don't overthink it. Wait for me to come back."
With that, he pulled the door open and left together with Hazel.
The door wasn't closed tightly. Sounds from the hallway drifted in, broken and intermittent.
First came Hazel's lowered voice, carrying careful grievance and worry.
"Andrew..."
"Jade is so spoiled and domineering. Her family background is so powerful too. If she really wants to go after me, what should I do...?"
Then came Andrew's voice—not loud, but clear enough for me to hear.
"Jade is just angry right now. She'll calm down in a bit."
"And besides—"
There was a certainty in his tone that chilled me to the bone.
"With me here, who could possibly bully you?"
"All that little temper of yours is used on me. You're just acting tough at home. Look how scared you got from just a few words."
Their footsteps faded into the distance.
The office was left with only those few stunned girls, their gazes toward me tinged with pity.
I wearily covered the words stamped on my face and spoke softly.
"Could someone please lend me a mask... or a hat?"
One of the girls hesitated before handing me a brand-new mask.
"This one is clean."
I glanced at the name badge on her chest, my voice catching slightly.
"Thank you. I'll remember you."
Her face flushed, and she hurriedly stepped aside.
I covered most of my face with the mask, pulled the hat low, and left the company.
Once inside the car, I sent a message to the Clark family—the hosts of tonight's charity auction.
"Tonight, Andrew will attend with a secretary named Hazel Garcia."
"Send Hazel to me."
In the highest circles of Massachusetts, people would kill for a chance to curry favor with me. Hazel had just handed the Clark family that opportunity.
I made another call.
"Find a shop that makes stamps. I want one hundred pork-quality stamps. The ink has to be the reddest kind—the kind that won't wash off."
The moment the car stopped at the villa entrance, Butler John hurried over.
"Mr. Martin came back briefly just now. He said he's taking Miss Garcia to the charity auction tonight, but she lacks a suitable gown."
"He... he took her straight into your dressing room."
My heart sank, but my voice remained steady. "Which dress did Hazel choose?"
Butler John took a deep breath, clearly suppressing his anger. "'Star Sea.'"
My breathing stopped for a split second.
Star Sea...
That was the gown I wore to my engagement banquet with Andrew.
It wasn't bought from any haute couture brand.
Andrew had personally drawn the design, found the finest craftsmen, and had it hand-sewn stitch by stitch.
Hundreds of natural sapphires of varying sizes were set across the skirt.
He once said it was like plucking the stars from the night sky—and laying them across my body.
