CHAPTER THREE

003

JOANA’S POV

“Welcome madam.” The valet at the hotel entrance greeted me as I entered the premises. Today was the official banquet of the Gates Group. They were celebrating their new milestone.

“Mrs Gates, congratulations. You indeed made the right choice. Your husband is full of surprises.” A woman who was trying to make small talk said, rushing to me with a glass of wine.

Her words which were aimed at flattery landed like Thor's hammer on my chest, making me feel suffocated. And I couldn't blame her for being ironic since everyone else thought that Clinton and I were still the perfect couple.

I forced an insincere smile to my face and made my way into the party with the woman following behind me, her face filled with flattery. Soon, another woman joined.

“Ah! Mrs Gates, you're glowing. Your husband is taking good care of you. You keep getting more beautiful by the day.”

“Of course, Mr Clinton loves his wife the most. Can't you see how in love they are?”

“You must be so proud of your husband, he brought the Gates group this far. When are you going to join him at the company?”

“Don't talk like a child. Mr Clinton Pampers his wife too much. Do you think he would let her do something as stressful as working?”

“That's true. I wish I were in her shoes. A perfect billionaire housewife, with a doting husband who worships her. The last time he bought Star of the Sea at the auction, I immediately knew that his love for her was unlimited.”

My feet stopped of their own accord. Star of the sea? How come I can't remember him giving it to me? I wanted that necklace so much, but before I could acquire it, I was told someone else already bought it for twice the price I offered.

The culprit was Clinton after all, but who did he give it to?

Cold sweat covered my skin, and I felt a fire burning in my chest, probably the flames of fury or maybe jealousy. I gritted my teeth, unable to force a smile.

Their flattering words were all sarcastic and ironic to me, saturating my mind with pain. I bit my tongue and forced a smile that looked uglier than a crying face and continued on my way with the trove of bootlickers following me.

“Mrs Gates, please help me. My husband really needs this contract from the Gates group. I guarantee that my husband is honest and will supply the items satisfactorily. Please put in a good word for us, our lives depend on it.” A desperate voice suddenly said, same time I felt a soft hand grab my arm.

The tearful voice seemed to coming from a long tunnel, snapping me out of my daze.

I looked up to see a young woman of my age, her eyes filled with desperation and love for her man.

“Please, help my husband secure the deal. I guarantee that you won't regret it.” She hurriedly whispered the moment I turned to look at her.

She looked pretty and sincere, and I couldn't help but smile at her. Her silly actions seem exactly like what I would do.

“I'm sorry dear, I'm not in a position to make decisions at Gates Group. I don't work with the management or the sales department. I don't work there at all, nor do I have leverage that could help me pull strings. How can I help your husband secure a contract?” I whispered, forcing myself to speak calmly and not let my emotions get the better of me.

“Mrs Gates, are you pulling our legs? Your husband owns the group. Just mention it to him tonight when he's in a good mood. He loves you a lot, how could he bear to say no? As long as their proposal is good, and you chip in a few words, it can be done. He's your husband after all.” One of the women said, winking suggestively. She probably thought that Clinton would agree to anything I said after sex. Should I tell her I can't even remember what his naked self looks like?

A self-deprecating smile crawled to my lips as I mocked myself. These people seem to severely overestimate my position in Clinton's heart. However, I knew that if I ever talk to Clinton about them, he will blacklist them out of spite. He hates me that much.

“I'm sorry dear. Clinton doesn't let me make decisions about the company, he won't listen to me. I'm just a housewife. If you talk to his secretary and get no response, you can go to the Henshaw group and find my brother. As long as you call my name, he will make some time to see you.” I whispered as gently as I could and removed her hand from mine.

“Eish! How could that be? Everyone knows Clinton values his wife.” One of the women said as I left. It was obvious that no one believed my words that I had no power in the Gates group.

“Don't mind her, she doesn't want to help you. She probably looks down on us below her class. How can she be bothered to help us put in a good word? It's just to mention a few people to your husband and let him check the proposals. No one is telling her to give the contract to someone unworthy or force her husband to sign all of it. Just put in a good word and let him make the final decisions. What's so hard about it?”

“Tch! Her arrogance is justified. Her family is the richest in the city, and her husband ranks second, closely behind. How can she be bothered with people from second and third-rate families like us?”

Their accusing words were too much for me to take. I walked faster till I came to a quiet corner and grabbed a drink. Without much thought, I swallowed the entire content of the glass cup, breathing heavily. I felt a pounding headache, and my chest felt tight. However, breaking down while everyone was watching me was a humiliation I would never subject myself to.

“How does it feel to get divorced from the man you love? Why didn't you tell those silly women the truth— that you're nothing to Clinton? You're just trash not worth mentioning.”

I looked up the moment I heard divorce. Clinton has not told our family yet, and even ordered me to keep it a secret. How did she know? My eyes met a smug Louisa, her smile filled with disdain for me.

She was Clinton’s childhood sweetheart who left him when their family had issues and went abroad. I heard she returned a few months ago but never took it seriously. Now, it seems the gossip vines were right.

“Mrs Gates? What a joke! You're just sitting on an empty shell. His heart, his body, his wealth, his company, they all belong to me. You have nothing, except the name. No, you no longer even have the name, you're already divorced. Why do you still strut around with that title?” She whispered to me, staring down at me.

“When was the last time he slept in your arms? But just last night, he knelt between my legs, sucking and licking all over my pu*sy, while telling me how much he hates you. He was quite fiery. His long dick was very active, and wouldn't stop pounding in. Do you even know what he likes in bed?” Her voice was dripping with sarcasm, infuriating me.

“Shut up!” I growled, unable to stand it anymore.

“You're already angry when I have not started.” She whispered with a playful smile and stylishly moved her gown to show me the hickeys on her neck and boobs.

My heart sank, and I felt a searing pain I had never experienced before. Her eyes suddenly hardened.

“Pack your bags and get lost immediately. If you wait till I arrive, I will throw you out naked. The title of Mrs Gates can only be mine, you loser.”