chapter84
Matthew had a nagging hunch that something was about to go sideways. He looked at me coldly, his voice laced with forced patience. “Honey, what exactly are you doing?”
I met his gaze without flinching. “What do I mean? You’ll find out the moment Melanie walks through that door. I’m not the one causing trouble here, Matthew. She is.”
Sensing my determination, Matthew turned his attention to Ivanna. “What’s going on here, Ivanna?”
Ivanna stood behind me, arms crossed, radiating a protective energy. “You’re asking me? Maybe you should save that question for your dear sister when she gets here.”
The atmosphere in the office turned suffocatingly awkward. It was clear to everyone present that I was no longer the "understanding wife" they were used to—I was an unwelcome storm.
Just then, Melanie strolled into the room, her expression shifting from casual to guarded the moment she saw the crowd. She froze, glaring at me. “Chloe, what are you up to now? What is all this?”
Watching her pretend as if nothing had happened made me want to tear her apart. I locked eyes with her, my voice low and dangerous. “You’ve done something truly extraordinary, Melanie, and I’m just here to acknowledge your achievements. Are you scared yet?”
“Scared? Why would I be?” Melanie rolled her eyes, her confidence returning. She pivoted instantly, turning to Matthew to strike first. “Matt, you won’t believe what this woman did today. She practically made you a cuckold in broad daylight. Some guy carried her off right in front of everyone. It’s been two hours—who knows what they ‘did’ in that time? I certainly don’t!”
She emphasized the word "did" with a venomous smirk, leaving nothing to the imagination.
Before she could even finish her sentence, Ivanna’s hand moved like lightning. A sharp crack echoed through the office as she smacked Melanie across the face.
Melanie shrieked in surprise, stumbling back while clutching her cheek. “Ah! Matt!”
The room fell into a shocked silence. The onlookers watched Ivanna with visible fear; she looked like a woman possessed by pure, unadulterated rage.
“What is the meaning of this?” Melanie’s parents demanded, stepping forward. “Why are you being so violent?”
Matthew barked, “Ivanna, have you lost your mind? How dare you make a scene like this in my office!”
Ivanna stared Matthew down, her eyes burning with fury. “You bet I’ve lost it, Matthew. So what? Are you upset because I slapped her? If you’ve got the guts, take her side and slap me back. I’ll give you credit for having some spine if you do.”
Melanie, her voice a shrill pout, looked at Matthew through teary eyes while nursing her swelling cheek. Then she shot a glare at Ivanna. “Who gave you the right to hit me?!”
“You dared to lay a hand on my best friend,” Ivanna countered, stepping into Melanie’s space. “And you have the nerve to play the victim after doing something so disgraceful? Woman, you deserve a lot more than a slap. Don’t push your luck. Do you really want to confront Chloe in front of me? Try it, and I’ll rip your mouth out. What’s the matter? You’ve got the guts to do the deed, but not the guts to admit it?”
Ivanna’s words hit Matthew where it hurt—his pride. He glanced at me with deep displeasure. “Speak! What exactly has she done?”
It was clear he still thought I was the one manufactured trouble, and that Melanie was an innocent bystander in my "paranoia."
“You should ask her!” I shouted, the fire of my anger finally breaking through.
Matthew realized then that the situation was far more serious than he had imagined. He turned to the staff gathered near the door and ordered sternly, “Everyone, out. This is a family matter.”
The curious onlookers exchanged hesitant glances before scurrying out. They knew the Murphy family’s dirty laundry was about to be aired, and it was going to be messy.
Johnson was among the departing crowd, his head lowered as he tried to slip away discreetly.
“Johnson, stay!” I called out, my voice stopping him in his tracks. “We need an outsider to see if I’m the one causing trouble. I won’t be the scapegoat for this! Aren’t you the Murphy family’s right-hand man? I want you to bear witness to everything.”
Trapped by the direct command, Johnson had no choice but to remain.