A woman laughed, her eyes showing a hint of mockery, but she made no comment.
Nelson was discussing business with them, mentioning the construction site, likely dealing with the aftermath of Splendor Estate. After a few rounds of drinks, the men were slightly tipsy.
Callie was playing cards with the ladies. She wasn’t good at it and kept making mistakes. Seeing her flustered, their mockery intensified. She took a deep breath and held back her emotions.
“Alright, Mrs. Oconnor is a good woman. Not everyone has nothing to do all day like you. Let’s stop playing,” Mrs. Gamble said with a smile, then turned to Callie. “Why don’t you tell us how you and Mr. Oconnor got together? We’re all curious.”
Callie opened her mouth and glanced at Nelson. He made no move to help her, holding a cigarette between his fingers.
At that moment, someone muttered, “Isn’t it just a mistress taking over? Taking advantage of the Ellison family’s daughter being out of the country. I don’t know where she got the nerve to get married.”
The atmosphere became tense. Callie’s face turned pale and then red. One of the men at the main table quickly tried to smooth things over. “What do young girls know? If you don’t know, don’t talk nonsense. Mr. Oconnor, don’t take it to heart.”
Nelson took a drag from his cigarette. “It doesn’t matter.”
Only Callie felt humiliated. Her eyes were dry as she put down the cards she was holding tightly. “I am not a mistress.”
Her directness left everyone momentarily speechless. After a pause, another woman said, “As long as you know it yourself.”
As tears fell from her eyes, the door to the private room opened from the outside, and a voice broke in. “Mrs. Whitehead, I heard what you said from afar, and I don’t appreciate it.”
It was Jaquan, dressed in a bright suit, looking casual and cheerful.
“Mr. Scott…”
Callie was surprised and looked at Nelson again. He didn’t raise his head, tasting the food on his plate and then spitting it out as if he found it unpalatable.
“Everyone in Ylosea knows I like Marilyn. If you pin this on Nelson, I’ll be upset.” Jaquan sat down openly, leaning on the table with one hand, his gaze fixed only on Callie.
Mrs. Whitehead seemed to remember this and nodded repeatedly. “I was reckless.”
But only those involved knew that while Jaquan was ostensibly expressing his affection for Marilyn, he was subtly removing the label of mistress from Callie.
So considerate. Yet Callie felt even more anxious.
Nelson poured a glass of wine. “Jaquan, you’re late today; you should be punished.”
“I’m a lone wolf, unlike everyone here who has families. Let me off this time,” Jaquan said with a roguish smile, quietly refusing.
“Just joking, Mr. Scott. You’re so charming; if you wanted to find someone, you could have anyone. If not, my wife loves matchmaking and could introduce someone.”
“Anyone?”
“Anyone.”
“How about someone like Mrs. Oconnor?”
The whole room fell silent. Callie took a deep breath, wishing she could kill that person.
Nelson finally turned his head and looked at her. “Jaquan seems particularly fond of my wife. Marilyn will scold you for being unfaithful.”
“Distance can’t solve immediate problems; I have to look out for myself,” Jaquan laughed and downed his drink. “Nelson, if I wanted her, would you give her to me?”
A long silence followed; Nelson didn’t speak, his attitude ambiguous.
Callie couldn’t stay any longer. She found an excuse to go to the bathroom, turned on the faucet, and splashed water on her face.
This was the first time she truly understood what humiliation meant.