The Transactional Marriage That Imploded novel Chapter 22

"A woman who only got through the door on a contract actually thinks she belongs at the main table," Rosalind scoffed.

Bianca wasn't going to humor her. "And what exactly do you bring to the table?" she fired back. "Maybe a piece of cheap junk food? Completely mindless and lacking a brain."

Rosalind slammed her silverware down, ready to physically attack Bianca, but Hadrian barked at her to stop.

"Bianca, watch your tone! Apologize to Rosalind right now!"

"Your daughter walks around claiming to be some high-class socialite, yet where are her manners?" Bianca laughed coldly. "She insults me, and you say nothing, but the moment I fire back, it's a problem? You're no saint yourself. Why on earth should I apologize?"

Furious, Hadrian grabbed a bowl and hurled it straight at Bianca. She turned her head, but the rim of the bowl still clipped her forehead. The delicate, pale skin immediately began to bruise.

Rosalind lifted her chin, looking incredibly smug. "Look at your status compared to mine. What right do you have to compare yourself to me?"

Boiling with rage, Bianca reached for her own bowl to throw back, but Mathis locked his hand around her wrist.

"Enough!" he growled.

Tears pricked Bianca's eyes. "Let go!" she yelled.

Mathis held on with a death grip, glaring at her coldly. "This ends now. If you cause any more trouble, I won't hold back."

Bianca fought to keep her tears from falling, lowering her head in silence.

The Jagger Estate was a viper's nest that chewed people up and spat out their bones. She had had enough. Next time, she would steer clear of Mathis and his women. She needed to stay as far away from these toxic people as possible.

Mathis ordered a servant to place a plate of lemon shrimp in front of her. It used to be one of her favorites, but today, just looking at it made her feel sick. To avoid any more drama, she quietly pushed the dish away.

When she opened the walk-in closet, she found brand-new women's pajamas, though the slip dress was a bit too revealing. She shook her head with a sigh. Mathis had said he wouldn't touch her anyway. She would just take a shower and go to sleep.

After showering, Bianca stepped out of the bathroom in the new pajamas, the low cut of the silk exposing a tempting amount of cleavage.

To her surprise, Rosalind was sitting in the bedroom. "Have you no shame, Bianca?" she sneered, her face twisted in disgust. "Why are you dressed like that? Do you really think Mathis is going to like you just because you show some skin? Keep dreaming!"

Bianca climbed into bed, pulling the covers up to her chest, not even bothering to look at her. "If you're just here to spew garbage, I've already heard it, so get out. And if you need something, the answer is no. I want nothing to do with you."

Right on cue, Mathis walked in. Rosalind stomped her foot. "Mathis, look at her! She's so arrogant now. Make her give back the ten million she took from the family."

Mathis cast a fleeting glance at Bianca sitting in the bed before looking away. "What is it?" he asked Rosalind.