She performed well, and Callie enjoyed watching. Tired from standing in high heels, she leaned against the side.
“My marriage is my own business. Now you all know, don’t you?” Nelson seemed unfazed, pulling out a tissue to wipe her tears.
“What’s the use of knowing now?” Regan pointed at Callie. “She’s lowly and plain-looking. How can she marry you? Nelson, are you playing a Cinderella story?”
Callie, being pointed at, simply gave up and stuck out her tongue, replying softly, “Because I have no shame.”
“You damn-” Regan heard her and wanted to scratch her face with her manicured nails.
Nelson pressed down her hand, his expression no longer relaxed. “That’s rude of you to say.”
“Nelson!”
“Enough. Are you so idle? Mind your own business and go back.”
Regan saw Nelson protecting Callie and stomped her foot in anger. Then she said, “I’ve already told Marilyn about this.”
Callie counted on her fingers; this was the umpteenth time she had heard that name.
Nelson casually pulled out a pack of cigarettes and asked, “Are you threatening me?”
“I’m not… I just think you shouldn’t be with this woman.”
“If not her, it won’t be Marilyn either.” Nelson finished speaking and shouted, “Cora, see the guest out.”
Soon, Cora entered the room. “Miss Padilla.”
Regan took a deep breath, almost suffocating from anger, but dared not say more. As she walked past Callie, she gritted her teeth and said, “Just you wait!”
Callie didn’t care.
Unexpectedly, Regan suddenly raised her voice. “If I need to apologize, it’s to Jaquan. That drink spilled on his suit. The hero saving the beauty story is really entertaining. Nelson, your dear wife is quite capable.”
Callie’s heart skipped a beat. She instinctively looked at Nelson’s tall back.
After everyone left, Nelson turned around, biting his cigarette and gesturing for her to get the lighter.
Callie belatedly realized and picked up the lighter from the table, lighting it for him with trembling hands.
As she was about to withdraw her hand, he grabbed it. “Hero saving the beauty.”
Callie trembled slightly. “It was just a coincidence that Jaquan saw it.”
Nelson scrutinized her with an unreadable expression. “Why didn’t you tell me yesterday?”
“She seemed very familiar with you. I didn’t dare to say anything to avoid causing more trouble.” Callie forced herself to stand straight, trying not to appear weak.
“Jaquan is indeed good to you.” This sentence was emotionally ambiguous.
Callie dared not slack off and leaned into the smoke. “Jealous?”
Nelson took a deep drag on his cigarette before explaining, “Regan is the daughter of a family friend. We have several connections; she’s like a sister.”
She hadn’t expected him to explain voluntarily and was somewhat surprised. “I guess she’s also familiar with Marilyn. Mr. Oconnor, do you think I’ll be torn apart by the young lady?”
This made Nelson laugh. He held his cigarette between his fingers and lifted her chin. “Next time something like this happens, tell me directly.”
Callie nodded repeatedly.
“Have you eaten?”
“Not yet.”
“Let’s eat first.”
Nelson held her hand and led her to the lounge.
Seeing the woman behind him walking slowly and clearly unwilling, she seemed nothing like the composed Mrs. Oconnor from earlier-more like a child.
Nelson had no choice but to comfort her gently. “Those people we just met hold high positions; they won’t spread rumors outside.”