"Do you really think you two will be happy together?" Rachel stared at Duke with a dark look. Her face was covered with tears that were not yet dry.
Before Duke could answer, Belinda cut in. She stood at the door, smiling and amused. "I don't think you need to be concerned with that. We'll live happily ever after."
Belinda! Don't be so cocky. Do you really think that Duke's in love with you? Listen to me, don't be so naive! Men promise one thing, then do something else! Look at me; I'm a cautionary tale." Already agitated, Rachel became even more unhinged when she saw Belinda.
I'm not going to depend on men, but I can still trust my husband. He will bring me happiness." Belinda walked closer and closer. Her smile grew bigger and brighter. She looked so charming and confident that her beauty reached its peak.
Haha! "Happiness. Do you know that I used to be the only one in Duke's heart?" Rachel glared at Belinda intensely. She wanted to tear that big smile off Belinda's face.
"But you aren't anymore, are you? That's why I'll enjoy this even more." Belinda stopped right next to Duke and adjusted his collar, looking like a kind and caring lady to her man.
"You... You..." Rachel pointed at Belinda with a trembling finger. She was too angry at this display of affection to speak.
"What? I'm fine, but are you okay? You look a bit pale." Belinda slapped away Rachel's finger, but her smile remained. Belinda knew that she would never be fazed by a woman like Rachel. So Belinda didn't play Rachel's game, and instead beat her at it. Rachel obviously picked the wrong woman to mess with.
"You haven't won today. Who knows who will get the last laugh! Bitch." Furious now, Rachel began to hurl insult, and she immediately paid for it. Belinda slapped her loudly across the face without thinking twice. Everyone froze in an instant.
Miss Qin, get over yourself. As long as people don't cross me, I won't bother them. But obviously you're acting insolent, so you absolutely deserve that." Belinda was not like Daisy. She didn't have an official reputation to live up to, and there were no consequences for cutting loose like that.
"You hit me! Who the hell do you think you are?" Rachel covered her cheek, trying to soothe it with her palm. She made sure to remember this, because she vowed to doubly return the favor in the future.
"You made your bed, now lie in it. Most people have enough brains to stop when things get too far. But you shouldn't be biting people like a rabid dog. Duke tolerates you, but that doesn't mean that I have to. We aren't friends nor family. So I don't have to take your obscene insults. And I won't. Quit using the word 'bitch.' It's definitely not good for you, and everyone will only see you as uneducated,"
Belinda chided her with a sneer. If the woman that Duke loved really was Rachel, Belinda would not hesitate to give up her claim, since they couldn't be happy forcing this marriage. But Duke loved Belinda, so that made everything different.
Who are you calling a rabid dog?" A smart woman would never ask such a question, because the answer would be even more infuriating. It was clear that Rachel was not a smart woman.
"Miss Qin, if you throw a tantrum over a couple words, then I have nothing to say to you. I would watch your mouth in the future. It's only going to get worse for you if you don't stop. Not everyone's going to put up with it."
Belinda dropped her smile. The quarrel had gone on long enough. She didn't want to even be around this woman anymore. Even though she fully trusted Duke, the last thing she needed was Rachel butting into their lives.
"So tell me, Belinda. If you were dumped by your guy, would you still be saying this stuff?" Rachel dried her tears. She could appear soft in front of Duke, but she couldn't look so weak in front of her rival.
"I think you've got something wrong. As I recall, you were the one who dumped him! You are just so ridiculously shameless. Is it fun for you to blame others for your problems? You ran off with another guy, and now Duke has to get back to you whenever you want! Really? Do you think you're the last woman on earth?"
Belinda was really curious that how Rachel could regard herself as so above everyone else. Where did she get the justification to feel that privileged? Was she born so self-centered?
"So? Do you hate me now because his heart's always been with me all these years?" Rachel gritted her teeth. Right now, she was clinging to the last slender thread of her stubbornness so that she wouldn't seem a total loser.
"This is ridiculous! Why would I hate you? I didn't even know Duke before, so whoever was on his mind or had his love doesn't concern me at all. Because I only care about the present and the future. The past really doesn't matter much to me."
Belinda shot a sidelong glance at Rachel. Her glare was a sardonic one. If Belinda were in her place, she wouldn't stick around to bother Duke. After all, there was no place for Rachel anymore. Trying to force her way in only seemed more pathetic.
Get out!" Said Duke. "Our relationship was over the moment you left. And that was years ago. There's nothing left. And I don't even want to see you again." Duke's face appeared emotionless. He was calmly telling Rachel what he was thinking.
"Fine, I'll go. But you two listen up. You'll never find happiness." Rachel stomped her foot and looked intently at Duke one final time. She then bitterly left. Her pointy heels sounded crisp as they echoed down the hallway.
Duke sighed gently and sucked his dry lips. He finally turned to Belinda: "Why are you here?"
"Oh! Take this invitation to the president of YD Group. I figured it was getting late, so I was thinking of having a meal with you." Belinda smiled again. A smart woman knew when to ask what kind of questions and when not to, so she was not bothered by the argument with Rachel.
Do you want him there?" Duke frowned a bit, because they originally agreed that the wedding would only be open to close friends and families. Business partners were not invited.
"Yes! Isn't he Daisy's friend? Since they know each other, then they should get together! After all, our company has some business dealings with YD Group. We might run into them more often in the future, so I think it's appropriate to offer an invitation. As to whether he comes or not, that's his business." If he wasn't Daisy's friend, Belinda would never deliver an invitation in person, if at all.
"OK, the more the merrier I suppose. Let's go!" Duke picked up his coat, and just before he could take Belinda's hand, the phone rang. Reaching into his pocket, he answered.
"Hello! Leena, what's going on?" Duke answered the phone as he was walking out. Belinda followed quietly. They exited the office one after the other.
"Is Belinda with you? I tried calling her but no one answered!" Leena was on the other end, calling while wiping a table with a piece of cloth. She was sweating from the exertion.
"Oh! She's with me right now. Do you want to speak to her?" Duke slowed down and waited for Leena's response.
"Yeah! Hand her the phone for a moment." Leena sat down on the floor and took a little break. She was exhausted from cleaning all morning.
"Here! Leena's looking for you." Duke handed Belinda the phone and walked with her into the elevator.
"Girl, what happened?" Belinda just realized that she left her phone in the car. No wonder Leena would be calling Duke to ask for her.
"Hey, didn't I ask you to consult with me after you try on the wedding dress? Have you tried it on or have you forgotten?" Leena lay directly on the floor. She felt cooler already, and she was glad to relax. The comfort gave her an involuntary chill.
"Oh! Sorry! I was busy and forgot to call. The dress fits well. No need for alterations. Thanks, girl." Smacking her forehead, she thought, 'how could I have forgotten something so important?'