Chapter 3 Slapping His Beloved

Gracie discarded the broken wine glass into the trash and pulled a USB drive from her purse.

"Here's a video from last month showing Lorenzo betraying me. I'm sure the journalists outside would love to see it."

Norene's face fell at Gracie's announcement.

"Did you install cameras at home?" Norene was uncertain whether they had been under surveillance.

Gracie folded her arms. "I thought we might be robbed, and I wanted the police to help catch the thief. Is that an issue?"

Norene found herself without a response.

This was Lorenzo's night to celebrate his promotion. A scandal like this could ruin her chances of becoming the president's wife.

After pondering for a short while, Norene managed a forced smile. "After all the years you've spent with Lorenzo and even having a child together, how can you stand to destroy him?"

The mention of her daughter caused Gracie a deep, piercing pain.

"Smack—"

The sharp sound of a slap turned every head in the room.

Gracie said calmly, "I think I just dealt with a pest, right, Miss Bailey?"

Norene, a hand on her cheek, was boiling with anger. But when she thought of Gracie's USB drive, she could only swallow the humiliation and grudgingly responded, "Yes, there was a fly. Thank you, Mrs. Hughes, for taking care of it."

Since Lorenzo hadn't announced their divorce yet, he had invited Gracie as Mrs. Hughes.

The crowd resumed their chatter.

Meanwhile, Norene seethed with rage internally. Once she married Lorenzo, she vowed to see Gracie behind bars.

"Norene, are you alright?" Lorenzo, sensing the tension, came over quickly, his expression filled with concern.

Norene, looking distressed but composed, replied, "I'm fine, Lorenzo. There's no need to worry about me. It was an accident."

Lorenzo's gaze turned cold and scornful. "Gracie, you were the one who wanted the divorce. Do you still think you have grounds to be jealous?"

Jealous? Was that really what Lorenzo thought she felt?

On their daughter's surgery day, Lorenzo claimed a business obligation required his attention, yet he was at the hospital for a heart transplant for Norene's son.

On the day of their daughter's cremation, he fabricated a meeting to cover up his affair with Norene.

And on the funeral day, he left home early and completely disregarded Gracie's calls.

It was only when Gracie messaged him about the divorce that he promptly replied with a simple "Okay."

Gracie masked her deep-seated rage behind a calm facade. "Lorenzo, which eye of yours perceived jealousy? Don't think too highly of yourself!"

Her cutting sarcasm seemed to momentarily shake Lorenzo, invoking a twinge of discomfort. He averted his eyes. "Have you brought the USB drive?"

Handing over the USB, Gracie watched as Norene's realization dawned late.

"Lorenzo, you requested her to bring this USB?" Norene asked, alarmed.

"Yes, it's for some work documents. I needed her to bring it over," Lorenzo replied.

Norene's anxiety flared as she stared accusingly at Gracie. Had she been deceived by Gracie all this time? Did she take the slap for nothing?

Before Norene could react further, a board member took to the stage. "Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we announce a pivotal change in our executive lineup. Based on our strategic needs and thorough evaluation of individual performances, we are promoting Mr. Lorenzo Hughes from CEO to President. He will assume full responsibility for the group's operations and future growth."

Lorenzo strode confidently onto the stage next to the board member.

Meanwhile, Gracie's hand, having crushed a wine glass, was now dripping blood, which was blending indistinguishably with the carpet's red.

Norene taunted her, "Gracie, soon I'll be the president's wife. What kind of price do you suppose you'll have to pay for that earlier slap?"

Gracie smirked slightly. "A president's wife who rose by seducing a married man? Perhaps you should be the one paying the price."

Ignoring Norene's darkening expression, Gracie looked away, her gaze returning to the stage.

She held onto the hope that Waylon would fulfill his promise. At that moment, a secretary rushed onto the stage, interrupting the proceedings with a whisper to the board member.

The board member's expression turned to one of surprise. "What? Mr. Hughes is here?"