Chapter 3

My voice wasn't loud, but in the bustling airport arrivals hall, it cut through the noise and landed loud and clear on Edward's and Angela's ears.

Angela's face turned pale in an instant. She stared at the transaction history on my screen in total disbelief, then looked up at Edward, her eyes filled with shock and humiliation.

Edward was a sight to behold, his face cycling through a rainbow of emotions. He probably never dreamt in a million years that I'd deliver a knock-out blow in a place like this, in a way like that.

"Sophia!" he snapped, his voice thick with sheer embarrassment and anger. "Have you had enough yet?"

He lunged forward, trying to snatch my phone.

I took a step back, dodging his grip.

"Had enough?" I looked at him and sneered. "I'm only giving Ms. Carter a heads-up so she doesn't get taken for a ride.

"Booking a suite on my credit card limit to romance another woman? How shameless can you get, Edward?"

I glanced at his face. The same face that once swept me off my feet but now only made my stomach turn.

Angela wobbled, her eyes brimming with tears. She probably bought into the idea that she was Edward's one true love. Little did she know that in this absurd circus, she wasn't even a proper prop. Her entire getaway was coming out of my pocket.

Passersby were starting to stop, pointing and whispering at us.

Edward's face flushed. He was a guy who cared about saving face above all else.

"There are too many people here. Let's talk somewhere else," he muttered under his breath, trying to regain control of the situation.

I slipped my phone away and nodded. "Fine by me."

My quick, no-nonsense reply caught him off guard. He probably figured I'd keep making a fuss.

I turned on my heel and walked off, heading straight for the airport information desk.

"What are you up to?" Edward shadowed me, his tone laced with caution.

"Nothing." I glanced back, flashing him a dazzling smile. "You booked the hotel for my conference, right?"

He froze for a second, then nodded instinctively.

"I suddenly don't feel like staying there," I said smoothly. "I want to switch to a different one, so I'm asking for directions."

Edward looked a little relieved. As long as I didn't cause a scene in public, he thought there was still room to turn things around.

Or so he thought.

I stepped up to the counter and asked the staff in fluent Altenian, "Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to the Four Seasons Hotel?"

The staff member gave me warm, helpful directions.

After thanking them, I grabbed my suitcase and headed straight for the taxi stand.

Edward and Angela stood rooted to the spot.

The Bellevue and the Four Seasons were the two top-tier official partner hotels for the conference.

He had booked me at the Bellevue, while he brought Angela along to stay at the exact same hotel. He had likely even prepped a story about having rooms right across the hall from each other.

Now, I picked the Four Seasons. I was letting him know through my actions that I was no longer playing this game by his rules.

"Sophia." Edward chased after me and grabbed my wrist.

"Do you really have to do this?" He gritted his teeth, his voice barely squeezing out through the gaps. "Could you at least save me some face?"

"Save you face?" I yanked my hand back so hard he actually stumbled. "Where was my face when you showed up right in front of me with her?

"And how much is your face even worth when you're using my supplementary card to book her a room?

"Edward, from this day on, your precious face isn't worth a single dime to me."

I flagged down a taxi and tossed my suitcase into the trunk.

Edward opened his mouth to say something. But Angela yanked him back, tears streaming down her face. "Edward, let's go back. It's all my fault."

Ah, a classic sob story.

I got into the taxi and shut the door.

As the car pulled away, I caught Edward in the rearview mirror, his expression stormy as he watched my taxi fade into the distance.

Angela clung to his chest, putting on a helpless damsel-in-distress act.

I looked away. I took out my phone and reported the supplementary card as lost and canceled it with a straight face.

I had given him that card on my own accord back when he was launching his business and strapped for cash. Now, it was time to take it back.