<h4>Chapter 220: Are you sure she is being kind?</h4>


    Tricia’s hand tightened around her wine ss, her knuckles whitening with the pressure.


    Her smile was fixed, yet inside, bitterness churned like a storm. She hadn’t reconciled with the result of this meeting—far from it.


    The sight of Davis, clinging so closely to Jessica ever since they’d entered the room, left her reeling.


    She remembered how it all began—how her friendship with Davis had blossomed over time.


    He had always treated her with kindness, respect... but never affection. To her, he was the best man in the world, the only man who could match her dreams.


    She’d dropped hints over the years, even boldly made advances, but Davis had never wavered in his polite rejection. Still, Tricia wasn’t one to give up easily.


    Coming from one of the most prestigious families in Noveira, she’d always relied on her background to open doors.


    And when she heard that Davis would be visiting, especially with hispany struggling, she saw it as her golden opportunity.


    She had hoped to swoop in, offer aid, and win his gratitude—perhaps even his heart. But now, standing across from him as he doted on another woman, she felt those hopes unravel.


    Jessica.


    The name echoed in her mind like a curse. That woman was ruining everything. Tricia watched, her jaw clenched, as Davis and Jessica whispered and smiled at each other, lost in their own world. Shameless, she thought. How dare she?


    Determined to reim control, she cleared her throat, cutting through the room’s ambient chatter.


    Jessica nced at her with disinterest, a cold smirk curling her lips. Finally ready to make your move, she mused inwardly, sipping her wine.


    "You see, Davis," Tricia said smoothly, her voice regaining its charm, "I’ve been thinking about everything you said. And since thepany runch is happening next week, I was wondering if it’s not toote to be one of your esteemed investors."


    She ended the statement with a thinly veiled challenge, her eyes locked with Jessica’s.


    Jessica didn’t flinch. Instead, she leaned closer to Davis, her voiceced with feigned innocence and affection. "Hubby, isn’t Tricia so kind? I told you things might not be as bad as you feared."


    Her smirk was anything but innocent.


    Alex, seated nearby, raised an eyebrow. Something about this trio’s interaction felt like watching a chess game—every move calcted, every word a disguised blow.


    Matt, reading the rising tension in the room, stood up with a charming smile. "Rebuilding apany from the ashes is no small feat. But with all the good news flying around, I think this calls for a toast."


    Lucas nodded in agreement. The others followed suit.


    Alex reached for a fresh bottle of wine, his tone cheerful. "No old drinks for this toast. If we’re celebrating new beginnings, then we should open something fresh."


    After carefully removing the seal, he popped the cork with a satisfying pop, drawing apuse from the room. Adah pped with enthusiasm, and the atmosphere lightened.


    Everyone’s sses were refilled. They lifted them high. "To new beginnings and new life," Alex dered.


    The room echoed the words, each person repeating them with varied degrees of enthusiasm. Yet among them, Luke hesitated. He stared at the wine in his ss, his fingers tightening. He couldn’t drink it, but neither could he put it down.


    The past haunted him—painful and raw.


    Jessica noticed his struggle. Though he’d been cold since their arrival, she sensed something deeper—a wounded heart nursing old grudges. She considered saying something but held back, deciding to let him confront his emotions on his own.


    Momentster, Luke brought the ss to his lips and drank. Jessica exhaled softly, relieved.


    Just then, a figure stepped into her view. Tricia. "Davis," she said sweetly, "don’t you think I deserve a personal toast as an investor?"


    Davis gave her a warm, professional smile. "Of course, Tricia. You’re deserving of one."


    They clinked sses. "To new beginnings," she said. They both sipped a bit from their drinks, and Tricia turned to walk away. But just as she moved, Jessica’s voice rang out.


    "Watch your step, Tricia."


    The room paused.


    Tricia froze, stunned. Then she turned slowly, eyes wide. "Oh, thank you," she said with a forced smile.


    But as she turned again, her hand ’slipped.’ The ss tilted, and wine sshed down, some of itnding near Jessica’s hem.


    Jessica’s reflexes saved her body and dress, pulling back just in time. The wine sttered on the floor with a light ssh.


    Tricia gasped dramatically, covering her mouth. "Oh no! I’m so sorry—I,...I missed my step" She set the ss hastily on the table and snatched a napkin, hurrying to help.


    The room fell silent. The entire thing had happened in seconds.


    Davis narrowed his eyes, sensing something off. There was a strange energy between the two women. Before he could say anything, Adah stepped forward.


    "Tricia," she said tly, "was that really an ident?"


    Tricia froze.


    "With the amount of space in this room and the distance between you and Jessica, missing a step seems... unlikely."


    All eyes shifted to Tricia. The weight of their stares bore down like stones.


    Jessica nced at Adah and gave her a brief, grateful nod. At least someone wasn’t buying the act.


    Tricia’s lips trembled. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Adah, how could you say that? I only slipped a little—"


    "Be thankful Jessica dodged it," Adah cut in, her tone sharp.


    She’d known Tricia long enough to understand her games. Tricia had always pined for Davis and saw any woman close to him as a rival. This wasn’t surprising. It was typical.


    Now, under the weight of judgment from the entire room, Tricia’sposure cracked. Her family name—though respected—was not as influential as the others here. The humiliation wasplete.


    Unable to stand it, she turned and rushed out of the room, her heels clicking loudly against the floor.


    Jessica stood quietly, then took a breath and moved.


    Davis caught her hand. "Let her go," he said softly. Jessica gave him a small smile. "I’ll be fine."


    He hesitated, then let her hand drop.


    "Excuse me," she said to the room. "I’ll just check on her." And with that, she stepped out, the door clicking shut behind her.


    A moment passed.


    Adah exhaled and turned back to her phone. "Davis, you’re lucky," she said absentmindedly. "But your wife... she’s too kind for her own good."


    Davis looked at her. "Are you sure she’s being kind?"


    Adah nced up, her brow arching. "What do you mean?" Davis didn’t answer. A subtle smile crossed his face.


    Because he knew Jessica wasn’t being kind and was never kind when provoked intentionally.