Chapter 3
Vivian's messages kept popping up on my phone.
She messaged: [Charlotte, what did you say to Edward?
[He just stormed in, pale as a ghost, and dragged Sophie out without saying a word.
[Wait, they're back.
[Oh my god, what's going on? Is Sophie wearing a janitor's uniform?]
I smirked. Honestly, this turned out even better than I imagined.
Vivian messaged again: [Charlotte, you should've seen Sophie's face. It's a whole masterpiece. So much drama.
[Everyone's staring and whispering about them. I'm dying of secondhand embarrassment over here.]
I replied: [Vivian, take some pics for me.]
Vivian sent the photos over in a flash.
In the pictures, Edward was sitting there, stone-faced.
Meanwhile, Sophie was drowning in an oversized gray janitor's uniform, her makeup a total mess, and her eyes swollen and red.
Vivian messaged: [This auction is super exclusive. Once you're in, there's no leaving. Sophie has to sit through the whole thing dressed like a janitor.]
She was practically gloating.
Vivian messaged: [And Edward's face is like a thundercloud right now.
[Charlotte, that was savage. You totally nailed it.
[Seriously, who does Sophie think she is, messing with you? In the end, she won't even know what hit her.]
After the auction wrapped up, Vivian sent another message.
She texted: [When they left, Edward looked absolutely livid, like he'd just swallowed a bug. And Sophie was sobbing her lungs out, totally out of breath.]
She sent over a new photo. The sapphire blue mermaid dress was now dumped in the trash.
Vivian messaged: [Charlotte, I got the shot.]
I immediately posted the photo on social media with a simple caption: [Trash is right where it belongs: in the trash.]
Within five minutes, the likes had already hit over a hundred.
Anyone with half a brain could tell that the dress in the trash was the very same one Sophie had been bragging about all over her social media.
My message was crystal clear.
Vivian texted: [Charlotte, Edward totally lost face today. He's not gonna come home and take it out on you, is he?]
I replied coolly: [Relax. He wouldn't dare in a million years.]
That night, Edward came home, the air around him so thick with tension it was suffocating. He walked right up to me.
"Charlotte, where's my stuff?" he rasped, his voice hoarse.
I just stared at him, saying nothing.
Edward was barely holding it together, his emotions simmering just beneath the surface.
He said, "Charlotte, I admit I was out of line today.
"I didn't think about how you felt, and that's on me.
"But I did what you asked. I was totally embarrassed in front of everyone.
"Can you just drop it and give me my stuff back?"
I raised an eyebrow.
I said, "Edward, you embarrassed yourself today. That's on you, not me.
"So, are you going to explain yourself for what happened today?"
Edward avoided my gaze.
He said, "Sophie and I are just colleagues, nothing more. I only praised Sophie for her work performance."
I let out a cold laugh, pressing him step by step.
I demanded, "Edward, there are plenty of ways to reward someone. Why did you have to choose the absolute worst?
"A luxury villa, an auction, a dress that costs a fortune: you know damn well what those mean to an ordinary girl like her.
"You wouldn't even take a couple's photo with me, but you had no problem posing for pictures with her.
"Every time you let her get away with it, you were basically encouraging her. That's why she's gotten so bold, even daring to come at me.
"And honestly, with her pathetic work skills, does she really deserve your special treatment?"
Edward stayed silent.
I demanded, "You only favor her because she looks just like Yvonne, right?"
I laid it all out, exposing exactly what was on his mind.
I continued, "But a substitute will always be just that: a substitute. Sophie will never be Yvonne.
"Edward, don't get them mixed up."
His breathing grew heavier, but he stayed silent.
I took out the small wooden box and handed it to him, my voice softer now.
I said, "Edward, I understand your feelings for Yvonne, and I never wanted to ruin the good memories between you two.
"But I hope you won't ruin what we have, either.
"Today was the first time, and it better be the last."
Edward took the box and set it aside, then pulled me into a tight hug.
He said, "Charlotte, I'm sorry.
"I know I was wrong.
"There's really nothing between Sophie and me. I promise, I'll stay away from her from now on.
"I promise, this kind of thing will never happen again. Please, don't stay mad at me, okay?"
His voice was pleading, and he held me tight, arms locked around my waist.
I let out a soft sigh and finally gave in.
Then I looked up and sank my teeth into his lip, hard.
I only let go when I saw a blood bead at the corner of his mouth, satisfied.
"That's the price for messing with me. Don't ever let it happen again," I said, my voice icy.
"Okay," Edward said.
He didn't show a trace of impatience; his eyes were blazing with passion.
He scooped me up in his arms and carried me straight into the bedroom.