But Fiona was inconsble-crying and throwing a fit.


    "I can''t have kids right now, and your girlfriend''s already too old. You hated her for not being able to give you a son. What if one day I can''t have a son either? You''ll toss me aside too! No way-I''ming to your office, and you better give me a job."


    Simms wasn''t bored with Fiona yet. And after her miscarriage, thest thing he needed was another woman causing a scene. So, grudgingly, he agreed.


    Two weekster, Yulia was finally discharged from the hospital.


    Simms hadn''t called her once, not even visited.


    She knew then-Simms was done with her for good.


    Violet took Yulia back to her own apartment. The two of them sat together, shrouded in gloom.


    Ever since she''d fallen out of favor, Yulia drowned herself in bars every night, with Violet faithfully by her side. At least, for now, Yulia still had several million in her ount-enough, for the moment, to keep up hervish lifestyle.


    But a few million was pocket change to her. She knew Golden Era Enterprises was worth at least six hundred million. After all these years with Simms, being tossed aside like this was more than she could swallow.


    She spent freely, and soon enough, every eager-eyed pretty boy in the bar began circling.


    "Probably another rich housewife dumped by her husband," one whispered.


    "Edgar, your turn," someone nudged.


    "I''m not into older women," Edgar replied, his gaze drifting past Yulia tond on Violet. "But her friend looks interesting."


    He couldn''t take his eyes off Violet, but she didn''t spare him a nce.


    Finally, two young men in their early twenties made their move-Edgar and Sid. Sid had a reputation for charming wealthy women-his boyish good looks and easy charm made him irresistible to them all. Edgar, meanwhile, only had eyes for Violet.


    Women looking for young men in bars weren''tmon, which made Violet stand out all the more. But her icy demeanor kept most of them at bay.


    Edgar, undeterred, decided to try his luck.


    "Can I buy you a drink, miss?" he asked, stepping up to Violet.


    She didn''t even look at him-just downed her drink in one go.


    Sid, meanwhile, sidled up to Yulia and snatched the ss from her hand. Careful, gorgeous," he smiled,


    "too much booze will delet


    in. Let me get you some juice instead."


    Yulia was already tipsy, her vision swimming. The young man before her was handsome, not as mature as forty-year-old Simms, but radiating a youthful energy Simms could never match.


    She snorted, "Aren''t you sweet. Too bad I''m old enough to be your mother, so quit calling me ''sister.'' And don''t bother trying to scam me-I''m not that easy."


    She snatched her drink back and finished it in one gulp.


    Spotting Sid, Violet walked over and intervened. "We don''t need anypany, thanks," she said sharply, hoping to send him on his way.


    But Edgar suddenly grabbed her by the waist.


    "Let go of me," Violet snapped, trying to pull away. The alcohol made her limbs heavy.


    "Rx," Edgar said, trying to sound charming "No hidden agenda-I can see your friend''s upset, and you''re not exactly glowing either. We just


    lit


    wanted to chat, that''s all. If you want us gone, we''ll leave."


    He nodded to the bartender, "Drinks are on us tonight for these two lovelydies."


    As he was about to leave, Edgar


    cupped Violet''s chin, thinking


    himself irresistible. "With a face like


    yours, you could have men lining up from here to Paris. Why pine for one tree when you could have the whole forest?"


    Violet red at his greasy, self-satisfied grin, her anger ring.


    "Get lost. You think you''re even qualified to chase me?"