Together Apart: Her White Moonlight Has Returned Too-Chapter 3: Don’t Even Think About It

Cecilia Vaughn’s smile froze on her face.

"Mrs. Yves, it’s just a dance, is it really that serious?" someone spoke up to help Cecilia.

"Everyone here is family, so of course it’s not serious. But if they were outsiders, I wouldn’t be so good-tempered," Hannah Hayes said with a smile. "I’m just thinking for Miss Vaughn. With so many eyes watching, not keeping a distance from a married man could ruin her reputation, making it hard for her to get married in the future."

Cecilia replied coldly, "My affairs don’t require your concern, Mrs. Yves."

"How can you be so rude, child?" Hannah adopted a senior’s demeanor. "Even though your last name is Vaughn, not Valentine, word will spread that it’s the Valentine Family that lacks upbringing."

Winston Valentine’s face turned a shade darker. Vera Yves nudged Hannah’s arm, signaling her to stop.

Hannah patted Vera’s hand lightly, then looked at Winston with a smile, "Winston, I heard that the North Bay project is open for bidding..."

Vera tugged harder on Hannah’s arm, but Hannah ignored her and continued, "We are family, no need for formalities. Inform your subordinates and make sure your father’s company wins the bid."

Vera felt dizzy for a moment.

Cecilia chuckled softly, picked up a glass of red wine from a nearby table, "I’m sorry, my throat feels a bit uncomfortable."

Winston glanced at Vera with interest, then said expressionlessly, "The company’s bidding process is procedural. If Yves Group submits all the necessary and capable documents, they will naturally win the bid."

With Winston Valentine involved, the Yves Family will surely have the capability. His words were tactful. Hannah smiled in satisfaction.

Vera took Hannah aside, looking at her helplessly, "Didn’t I tell you not to mention the project?"

"When are you going to say it? Until doomsday?" Hannah looked at her with a sense of urgency, "Winston Valentine is my son-in-law. I’m giving him a chance to show his filial piety!"

Vera was at a loss for how to deal with her.

The banquet ended; it was already past eleven at night.

The night was as cool as water, and the interior of the car alternated between light and shadow. Winston Valentine rested with his eyes closed, frowning slightly.

Slender fingers pressed against his temple, carrying the characteristic fruity scent of a woman.

Winston opened his eyes. She was leaning close, her chest lightly revealing, an alluring sight with each massage move, like an addictive poison.

Winston pinched her slender waist, "Are you trying to please me?"

Vera responded softly, "I know you always separate work from personal, but since my mother asked..."

"The Yves Family cannot handle this project."

Winston’s indifference made Vera retreat, but just as she pulled back, Winston suddenly tightened his grip around her waist, pulling her onto his lap. Instinctively, Vera tried to lean back, but she couldn’t move at all.

Long, graceful fingers traced her flushed lips, "Mrs. Valentine, people can’t get things without working for them."

Her eyes showed a hint of confusion.

Winston leaned closer, whispering in her ear, "Is that all Mrs. Valentine has to offer in terms of pleasing someone?"

The warmth of his breath on her ear made Vera’s cheeks flush deeply.

Though they’d been married for three years and intimately close many times, Winston always took the lead.

She slowly wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing his thin lips, trying to mimic the way he always kissed her, but somewhat clumsily.

In the silent car, only the sound of their kisses could be heard.

Finally, the man lost patience, pulling off her hair accessory, letting her black hair flow freely.

His fingers wove through her hair, forcing Vera to tilt her head back.

Gentle kisses trailed from her long, slender neck and downward.

When they returned to the villa, Vera’s clothes were in disarray. Winston wrapped her in his coat and carried her into the room.

The room was dim, and Vera’s mind was a bit hazy.

"Only women from certain places need to please men."

The man’s cold voice was like a bucket of cold water poured over her.

Vera tried to push him away, but he grabbed her hand, raising it above her head, pinning her to the bed, "How is it that Mrs. Valentine is so good at this, hmm?"

In the darkness, she couldn’t see his eyes.

But Vera could imagine the ridicule in his gaze.

"You’re drunk."

"Without being drunk, how could I give you a chance?"

Vera turned her head in discomfort, "If you dislike me, we can divorce. Why humiliate me, again and again!"

Suddenly, her chin was grabbed, and the pain on her face made her frown.

"Divorce? You were just trying every way to please me for the Yves Family project, and after just a few words, you want a divorce." Winston looked at her mockingly, "I didn’t realize Mrs. Valentine had such backbone."

Vera’s face turned pale, from the club to tonight’s birthday banquet, "You’re treating me like this because you want a divorce, right?"

"This marriage was forced on me by your Yves Family," Winston pressed his fingertips against her, "Now you feel uncomfortable and want a divorce, yet you blame me. Tell me, how can someone be as greedy as you?"

Vera’s expression was painful, "I didn’t..."

"Divorce? Don’t even think about it!" Winston whispered into her ear, his voice as if emerging from Hell, "You chose this path yourself. As long as I don’t allow you to stop, you must continue even if it breaks you!"

Vera closed her eyes, tears sliding down her cheeks. There was no birthday gift, not even a ’happy birthday,’ just sheer disdain.

The once respectful marital relationship was nothing but wishful thinking.

News of Hannah Hayes demanding the project from Winston Valentine at the banquet quickly spread like wildfire.

Winston Valentine didn’t return to the villa for another week.

Vera declined all party invitations, occupying herself at the villa tending to her plants.

Her best friend, Linda Young, called to invite her out for a drink, saying it was to belatedly celebrate her birthday. Linda was a photographer who frequently traveled for work.

They arranged to meet at a quiet bar.

"I heard Winston Valentine recently spent over twenty million at an auction in Europe on a pair of diamond earrings. Quick, let your sister take a look."

Vera took a sip of her drink, "He didn’t give me anything."

"If he didn’t give them to you, then who are those for?"

Vera shook her head, "I don’t know."

"Jerk!" Linda snorted, "If he really has someone else, make sure to gather evidence! When you divorce him, strip him of everything!"

Vera chuckled self-mockingly; she wasn’t capable of doing that.

Winston Valentine provided her with a substantial living allowance each month and arranged for someone to buy her clothes, shoes, bags, and jewelry.

She once thought he was considerate, but now she realized he just wanted to create the perfect Mrs. Valentine.

She’d led a comfortable life for so long that she’d foolishly dreamed of having children and living harmoniously with him.

"Vera, am I drunk or hallucinating? Isn’t that your cheap husband?"

Following Linda’s gaze, Vera saw Winston Valentine standing in front of a booth, a pair of fair hands resting on his shoulders.

"Geez, just as we were talking about him having someone else, he brings the evidence right here?" Linda pulled out her camera.

Winston picked up the woman’s coat, helping her up from the booth as she fell into his arms, and Vera saw Cecilia Vaughn’s face.