Betrayed and Dumped: She Rose Stronger Than Ever novel Chapter 84

Bruce finally caught on. He took a deep breath and tried to steady himself. Alright, Rebecca, I clearly underestimated you. Not only did you manage to slip into the VIP room, but you also ended up right next to Stephen.

Bruce had spent years trying to get close to Stephen, always coming up short. Yet there Rebecca was, sitting beside him like it was the easiest thing in the world.

Bruce couldn’t help but wonder how she pulled it off. A beautiful girl next to a rich, handsome man… it wasn’t hard to imagine what she might have done to get there. The thought alone made Bruce’s chest tighten. He loosened his collar, trying to breathe.

Just then, another group came out of the elevator. When they saw Bruce and Sonja standing there, looking lost, someone stepped forward to help. “Mr. Lamont, Dr. Campbell, our room is just ahead. Come on.”

Rebecca heard the booming voice from inside and instinctively glanced toward the door. Her eyes met Bruce’s, and his glare was pure anger.

She swore she hadn’t looked over because of the titles. The guy’s voice was just so loud, she couldn’t help herself. What was Bruce so mad about anyway? Hadn’t he just ignored her earlier in the auditorium, acting like she didn’t even exist?

Dinner dragged on for over an hour. Since both Rebecca and Stephen had a few drinks, Liam came by to drive them home. Rebecca hesitated for a moment before asking, “Mr. Duncan, where do you live?”

Stephen, maybe a bit tipsy, just stared at her for a second. “Hmm?”

She explained, “I mean, if we live far apart, there’s no point in dropping me off first. That would just make you get home late, and it’d keep Liam out longer too.”

Stephen didn’t answer right away, but Liam, quick as ever, blurted out his boss’ address.

Stephen glanced at Liam, a hint of warning in his eyes, but Liam just looked confused, as if he didn’t understand what he’d done wrong.

But with Sonja still at his side, he forced himself to stay calm.

Sonja had come with Bruce, and since he hadn’t had anything to drink, he drove her home first. As soon as she was out of the car, he floored it, racing through the night until he pulled up in front of Rebecca’s building at lightning speed. He got there so quickly his car was already parked downstairs before Rebecca even arrived.

He wasn’t in any rush. He stepped out, leaned against his car, and lit a cigarette.

A few minutes later, a taxi pulled up. Rebecca got out, paid the driver, and looked up to see Bruce standing there, a faint haze of smoke swirling around him.

She frowned. What was he doing here? And when did he start smoking? They’d been together for years and she had never seen him touch a cigarette. He’d only been with Sonja for a month, and now he smoked?