Chapter 3 Face To Face With His Lover

I stared at Leonard in shock.

I swung my hand back and slapped Leonard across the face.

Still not satisfied, I kicked him square in the face.

"Don't touch me, Leonard. You make my skin crawl."

To be this close to my enemy, and he even talked about giving me a child?

He might as well just kill me and be done with it!

He touched his face, and the confusion in his eyes turned into disgust.

"Are you just playing hard to get? Stop acting. Isn't this exactly what you wanted?"

I drew in a deep breath and kicked the man in front of me away.

"Yes, I faked my death before. But if I ever carried your child, I'd end my life right then and there!"

My voice was so serious that Leonard's eyes flickered, wavering between doubt and belief.

I rubbed my wrist, still sore from Leonard's grip, and went on, "Leonard, I am your wife in the eyes of the law. Wanting to see you-or even to fulfill my duties as a wife-is only natural. And now you treat such things like some kind of charity? Let me tell you, I don't need it."

I noticed the kiss mark on Leonard's chest that wasn't mine, let out a cold laugh, and pointed at it.

"You'd better save that filthy body of yours for your little lover. Otherwise, if she finds out you touched me, she'll be devastated."

At that, Leonard nodded and began straightening his clothes.

"Nora would be upset if she saw it. You've finally learned some sense."

I couldn't be bothered to answer and turned toward the guest room.

It was time for me to think about how to get away.

The next morning, the maids treated me with unexpected respect.

My confusion cleared when I saw the man downstairs.

It was Thomas Ward, Leonard's teacher, and also the personal butler of Edmund Harlow, the true head of the Harlow family.

"Mrs. Harlow, there's a banquet today. Mr. Harlow sent me to escort you."

I nodded and went upstairs to change.

When I opened the wardrobe, I was stunned by how much my taste had changed over the past three years.

The wardrobe was filled with burgundy dresses.

Recalling Leonard's attire from last night, I realized I must have dressed this way to please him, even tailoring my wardrobe to his taste.

At last, I found my once-beloved champagne gown tucked away in the corner of the wardrobe.

As I walked downstairs, the butler glanced at me with a smile and said, "Mrs. Harlow, it has been a long time since you wore that color."

By the time we arrived at the Harlow family banquet, the hall was already crowded.

Nora stood by Leonard's side in lavish attire, carrying herself like the mistress of the house.

The moment they saw me, the room fell into silence.

"Why is Selena here?"

"She always made a scene and refused to attend whenever Leonard brought Nora along."

"What's with her today?"

Leonard frowned slightly and asked, "Why are you here?"

I picked up a glass of champagne and drained it in one go.

"Listen to yourself. Why shouldn't I be here? I am, after all, your wife in the eyes of the law. If someone unrecognized by law can attend, why can't I-the one the law actually protects?"

At those words, Nora's eyes reddened with grievance.

"Mrs. Harlow, I'm only here as a secretary. Please don't misunderstand..."

I gave a cold smile and pointed at the Harlow crest on her chest.

"Since when could a secretary wear the emblem reserved for the lady of the house?"

Tears streamed down her face like a pitiful scene from a play, and she sobbed, "Mrs. Harlow, you never came to banquets like this before. I only came to stand in for you. Please don't be upset..."

Leonard couldn't bear to see his beloved bullied, and instantly shielded Nora with his body.

"Selena! You refused to come yourself, and Nora attended in your place. If you can't thank her, fine, but how dare you accuse her now?"

I nodded coolly and said, "Thank you. Now that I'm here, give me back the crest."