Chapter 16
Neon lights flowed across the glass curtain wall of Twilight Bar. Matteo leaned against the VIP booth, whiskey creating fragmented light as he swirled it in his hand.
When Joannie rushed in wearing ten–centimeter black red–soled heels, her dress still carried the scent of fresh perfume.[]
“Matteo!” She threw herself into his arms, her fingertips lightly hooking his tie, her hands naturally moving downward.[]
“You finally agreed to see me. Did you miss me?“[]
“Of course.”
Matteo’s lips curved upward, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes.[]
He let Joannie straddle his lap, his fingertips brushing over her carefully applied makeup.[]
“Didn’t you always hope Yunia would leave?“]
Joannie’s smile froze on her face, her eyelashes trembling slightly: “Leave? Yunia? Where… where did she go?“]
“That’s not important.“[]
Matteo leaned closer, his breath carrying the scent of alcohol.[]
“What’s important is that you owe me an explanation.”
He suddenly gripped her chin, the force making Joannie gasp, “Those photos and messages you sent her behind my back, and those self–directed videos–was it fun?“]]
Matteo nodded to his assistant, who threw the shattered phone remains onto the bar table.[]
The screen still flickered with weak light.[]
Joannie stared at the blurred chat interface on the screen, her nails digging deep into her palms, but still forced a smile: “Matteo, whose phone is this? How did it get so broken…“]
“Done with the act?”
Matteo leaned in closer, his warm breath against her ear, yet it made Joannie feel cold all over.]
His fingertip traced over the provocative videos she’d sent on the screen, “These self–directed performances–did you enjoy them?“]
Before she could respond, he signaled to his assistant, who immediately stepped forward and grabbed Joannie’s purse that she’d tossed aside.
“No!”
Joannie screamed and lunged for it, but was pulled away by the assistant.[]
She stumbled and fell to the ground, her pearl necklace breaking on impact, the smooth pearls scattering everywhere.[]
The assistant pulled out Joannie’s phone and handed it to Matteo. The moment he unlocked it and opened WhatsApp, his pupils
Chapter 16
contracted sharply-[]
In the pinned conversation, Joannie’s chat history with her best friend was clearly visible:[]
“Matteo is such a sucker–just act cute and he’ll buy me limited editions.“]
“Once he gets tired of Yunia, my promotion plan will be complete.“[]
“Men are all the same–always wanting something new. I need to cash in while I can.“[]
…O
“So in your eyes, I was just an ATM?“[]
Matteo’s voice was cold as ice, the phone screen’s light illuminating his emotionless eyes.[]
Joannie’s face instantly turned deathly pale, then she scrambled to his feet, her red–painted nails desperately clutching his pant leg:
“Matteo, I was wrong! Those were just angry words! I only love you…”
“And I only said those things on purpose because I was afraid my friends would be jealous of me, jealous of how good you are to me!“]]
“You’ve always been in my heart.“[]
“Enough!”
Looking at that seductive face so close to his, Matteo could no longer contain himself.
He raised his hand and, with all his strength, slapped her hard across the face.]
Completely unprepared, Joannie was knocked to the ground, her pale face turning bright red as her cheek swelled up.
She looked up at him, her voice choked with tears.
“I really know I was wrong. Please give me another chance, okay?“]
Matteo disgustedly shook off her hand and stood up, straightening his suit.[]
Joannie sat collapsed on the carpet, her elaborate makeup smeared and streaked with tears.
“From today on, don’t let me see you again, or the consequences… you know what they’ll be.“[]
Seeing him about to leave, Joannie immediately grabbed his pant leg despite the pain and began pleading: “You can’t treat me like this–I only acted this way because I truly love you!“]
