Next Man, Better Plan novel Chapter 53

Stephanie had finished most of her coffee and enjoyed quite a show.

Victoria's face was a mixture of pale and ashen. The looks from people passing by were filled with malicious ridicule, and she felt so humiliated she wished the ground would swallow her whole.

Stephanie stood up and walked toward Ternence's assistant. She hadn't come empty-handed; knowing Ternence enjoyed fine liquor, she had stopped by a specialty shop to buy two expensive bottles.

Seeing this, the assistant immediately bowed slightly to take them from her, insisting she not carry them herself.

The receptionists couldn't help but look at Stephanie with curiosity. The real Mrs. Gonzalez had been watching the whole spectacle unfold with cool detachment.

The mistress had provoked her right to her face, yet she acted as if nothing had happened. Her composure and grace were truly on another level.

Seeing the two women in the same room, the difference was clear. Stephanie did nothing, yet her very presence screamed class and legitimacy. Victoria, in contrast, seemed completely out of her depth.

Stephanie was personally escorted upstairs by Ternence's man.

Meanwhile, Victoria was left behind to face pointed stares and whispers.

Verdant Grove Capital was a major company, so besides its own employees, there were many partners and clients around. Among them were women who had a particular disdain for mistresses like Victoria.

"Tsk, tsk, the nerve of some people. A mistress pretending to be the wife and showing up here. How shameless."

"And look at that tacky outfit. Quennel really needs to raise his standards."

"I heard Quennel was ridiculously devoted to his childhood sweetheart and fiancée. How could he let this woman walk all over her? Ugh, men! You can't trust any of them."

Before coming, Victoria had done her research. Kent was the vice president of Verdant Grove Capital, the second-in-command, and the most influential person in the company besides Ternence.

Quennel had said last night that he would speak to Kent personally, which meant he knew getting through to Ternence would be difficult and that Kent was the better angle.

Kent held a significant amount of power; all company contracts passed through his hands for review and filing. Any contracts deemed problematic or too risky would be immediately shut down by him.

In the executive office, Stephanie looked at Ternence sitting behind his desk and greeted him, "Mr. Gonzalez, it's been a while."

It hadn't actually been that long—only a week since their unpleasant parting at the Gonzalez estate. But so much had happened in that week that it felt like an eternity.

Ternence set down his pen and took off the reading glasses perched on his nose.