Chapter 2

The next moment, my gaze fell on the rose tattoo on her collarbone.

I’d seen an identical one on Julian’s abs.

He’d told me he got it because I loved roses.

How foolish I felt then, so touched by his gesture. It turned out to be a matching tattoo with another woman.

If I hadn't stumbled upon this today, I would never have known he’d found someone else so long ago.

The more furious I became, the calmer I felt. I decided to expose her facade.

"But as far as I know, Julian Hayes's wife's surname is Shaw, and she doesn't look like you at all. You’re the third party, yet you dare to be so arrogant. You have no shame."

"Go ahead, call Julian Hayes right now. I'd love to see how he's going to make us pay dearly!"

My words, "third party," stung her. She hissed:

"There's no 'first-come, first-served' in love. The one who isn't loved, *that's* the third party."

"My husband is coming over today anyway. I'll have him here in a flash. You just wait!"

She dialed a number, her voice shifting to a sickly sweet tone:

"Julian, honey, when will you be here? I'm being bullied by two old women at the hotel pool, and I'm so scared all by myself. Please hurry and help me out."

"After this, you should make the pool exclusive for me. I've been practicing some new moves in the pool, just for you."

After she hung up, her eyes practically gleamed with vanity and triumph.

"He'll be here in half an hour. You two are dead. He has plenty of ways to deal with you!"

The thought of Julian putting on a show of deep affection with me while cheating with another woman made me want to throw up.

Eleanor caught my reaction and understood. She gnashed her teeth.

"Julian Hayes, that monster! Just like his worthless father!"

"What I gave him, I can just as easily take back!"

Eleanor hated infidelity.

Years ago, she divorced Julian’s father because he cheated with a younger model. She’d raised her son alone, balancing a demanding career.

She never expected the son she raised to be just as rotten, stabbing her in the back.

Eleanor Hayes owned over a hundred hotels nationwide.

Although she’d handed over some operations to Julian these past few years, she was still the true power behind them.

And I, Elara Shaw, wouldn't have married Julian Hayes if I didn't come from an equally prominent family.

Julian Hayes, I'm waiting to see how you're going to explain this to us!

At that moment, I noticed Eleanor’s face had turned pale. Worried, I quickly helped her, trying to get her out of the pool to change.

But Tiffany waved her hand. Mikey immediately used his arms to vault onto the deck, and as Eleanor was climbing the ladder, he kicked her.

Eleanor tumbled back into the water. I quickly reached for her again.

Tiffany watched from the side, laughing maniacally.

"You two look like a couple of old ducks flapping around in the water! Don't you love being in the water? Then stay there!"

"Mikey, don't let them out until my husband arrives."

Mikey, like a loyal lackey, responded:

"Tiffany, don't worry, mission accomplished. Just put in a good word for me with Mr. Hayes when he gets here."

No matter how many times Eleanor and I tried to climb out, he’d kick us back down.

Our strength was quickly draining. Eleanor, clutching her chest, was gasping for air, unable to speak.

I made her lean on me, shouting desperately to the shore:

"Are you trying to kill someone?! My mother is having a heart attack; let us out now!

"Otherwise, when Julian Hayes gets here, you'll regret it!"

Mikey’s face paled, and he nervously looked at Tiffany. She just chuckled, dismissing my threat.

"You old ladies always pull these kinds of stunts. Faking a heart attack? You were swimming perfectly fine just a minute ago!"

"Mikey, go turn off the pool heater. Let's see how long she can keep up the act then!"