All Chapters of A Dance of Substitutes with Mr. Vanderbilt: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

"Goddamn it, Justine Thorpe!"Sidney had only just woken up from her sleep. Her face was pale, but she still managed to summon enough indignation upon hearing about her brother's departure."How could you waste this opportunity?! I almost died from blood loss over there to create this perfect chance for you to get back together, and this is how you used it?! God, it's like you want Jenny to win!" she ranted, breathing hard.Ash might have been a piece of trash, but even Sidney could not bear to see him end up with someone like Jenny."I don't want him," Justine signed.Sidney stared at her in incredulity. Then, shifting to sincerity, she asked, "So… this isn't you sulking? You really mean it?"Justine nodded placidly. "Yeah."Sidney knew what this meant. Her sister-in-law was done with Ash."Oh, just wait for my recovery," she said. "I'll introduce you to better men—guys who are younger and dreamier than that stain."Justine smiled but signed nothing. There were certainly men

Just like the last time they had accidentally met in the elevator, Jenny pretended to be startled and burrowed into Ash's arms. He patted her back gently, his eyes scanning Justine and Leon. "It's alright."Unlike the last time, Justine didn't wait for the next elevator. She stepped inside.Leon quickly positioned himself between Justine and the other two, dismissing them. This helped her ignore Ash and Jenny even more.Leon had heard rumors that Ash had a baby with his childhood friend while married, and today, it seemed to be true. He felt disgusted—Vanderbilt men really were scum.Jenny quietly regarded Leon.Before returning to Novaris, she had told herself that if Justine clashed with her over Ash, she would ensure that Justine would be out of the picture.Fortunately, Justine had agreed to leave Ash without a fight. This new man she found seemed like an upper-class gentleman, too.Jenny wondered if Justine had already met him before agreeing to the divorce. Jenny tur

After lunch, Leon dropped Justine back at the hospital."Stay with your friend in the ward and don't wander around. The flu is spreading like crazy lately. You've got to be careful," Leon reminded her one last time.Justine nodded, waved goodbye to him, and entered the hospital.Last night had been exhausting, and Sidney was still sound asleep.Her two maids had seen Justine before, and by now, everyone knew about her divorce from Ash.As Justine approached the ward, she overheard the two maids chatting idly."If you ask me, she never should have competed with Ms. Jenny in the first place. They're childhood sweethearts. How can she even compare to that kind of bond? She was clearly in the way."Wouldn't it have been better if she had just asked for a big payout back then? At least she wouldn't have ended up divorced three years later. It's not that easy to find a good match for a second marriage, you know, especially since she's a mute…" said the first maid."You've got it wron

Justine quickly arranged for a courier service.The medal was one she had won during her last competition with Ares by her side before he passed away. It held immense sentimental value for her.After marrying Ash, she moved out of her family home and into the lakeside villa, and despite her thorough search, she hadn't been able to find the medal.Now, she was finally going to have it back. The thought filled her with joy.Moments later, Martha sent another message.Martha: [Sorry, Ma'am. My daughter-in-law was suddenly called back to work for overtime, and there's no one to take care of my grandson at home. I can't wait for the courier to come get the medal. Would you mind coming to get it yourself? I've placed it on the coffee table. I apologize again for the inconvenience.]Justine didn't think much of it and replied with a simple: [Okay.]Ash was spending the day with Jenny, and ever since Jenny had returned to his life, he hadn't been going back to the lakeside villa anyway.

Ash, still dizzy, teetered as he stood.A crash downstairs jolted him from his stupor. For a moment, his heart leaped to his throat, fearing something had happened to Justine.Without a second thought, he rushed downstairs, not even bothering to put on his slippers.The large living room was empty.Justine was nowhere to be seen.In the center of the room, shattered on the floor, lay an antique lamp he had cherished—one he had carefully kept in his study.Now, it was reduced to pieces.He had smashed her award medal, so she retaliated by smashing his precious lamp.That was typical of Justine, always quick to repay every slight.The medal had cost tens of thousands. The lamp, however, was a rare antique, bought at auction—worth millions!Ash's vision darkened with fury, and he gripped the banister to keep himself from collapsing.Justine hadn't stayed to face him. After breaking the lamp, she made a quick escape.A car she had called waited at the gate. She slid into the ba