As Gemma pondered whether her posture was alluring enough, or if she needed to tug her dress down just a little more, she noticed Ian already walking toward the door.
He was ignoring her, just like that.
All of Gemma’s anticipation shattered in an instant. Damn it, what on earth was this man thinking?
“Ian… I feel sick,” she murmured, feigning dizziness as she climbed unsteadily off the bed.
She knew Ian was a soft-hearted man, the kind who could never leave someone behind. People like him, with their overly kind nature, were easily manipulated.
“Then go ahead and throw up,” Ian said, pausing mid-step but making no move toward her.
“I’m dizzy… Could you help me? I’m afraid I might fall.” Gemma’s voice was delicate, her expression pitiable.
But Ian didn’t react as he normally would. Instead, his gaze was clear and steady as he looked at her.
“Gemma, how much longer are you going to keep up this act?”
“Ian, what are you talking about? I don’t understand,” Gemma replied, stepping cautiously toward him.
“Tonight’s whole setup-it was your doing, wasn’t it? You used my friend to call me here. Then you deliberately stirred up their teasing. Every step was calculated, all leading to this moment. So, what’s your next move? Strip down and try to seduce me?” Ian’s voice was calm, but his words were sharp as he laid out her motives.
Ian wasn’t just an academic achiever by chance-his mind was sharper than most. In the past, he had trusted Gemma too much, viewing her as some untouchable goddess. And because of that image, he never once questioned the rumors about her being kept by someone.
It wasn’t until he saw her true colors that he realized how manipulative she was. She thought her schemes were flawless, but Ian had seen right through them.
From the way she played dice and card games earlier, it was clear she was no novice. Her skills were far too refined, clearly honed in nightclubs. She wasn’t drunk, yet she pretended to be.
When he held her earlier, she had deliberately leaned into him. Ian had gone along with her act, just to confirm his suspicions. And sure enough, Leonard was helping her.
Thinking back to how he used to be just as naive as Leonard, Ian didn’t feel anger anymore-only indifference. Some truths you had to see with your own eyes to believe. If he hadn’t personally witnessed Gemma hanging onto the arm of a middle-aged man with a bulging belly, he might still be in the dark.
“Ian, how can you think that about me? I really was just invited to a birthday party tonight. I don’t know what kind of schemes you’re talking about,” Gemma said, shaking her head as she continued to approach him.
“If you weren’t pretending, then tell me-are you the least bit drunk right now? From what I see, you’re more sober than I am.”
Gemma bit her lip, her eyes reddening as she looked at Ian. “Ian, I know I was wrong in the past. I was young and foolish and didn’t appreciate you. But I’ve realized my mistake now. I see how wonderful you are, and I can’t live without you anymore. I want us to be together. I want to build a life with you. Can’t we go back to the way we were?”
She clung to Ian’s sleeve, her voice soft and pleading.
If Gemma had said these words to him during their freshman year, Ian might have been willing to do anything for her. But back then, her smiles had only been a tool to make him help her with her studies.
She had never truly seen him.
It was only his thick glasses and bangs that had blinded him to her true nature, making him imagine her as something far more perfect than she was.
“If you hadn’t been so calculating, I might have been able to treat you as a normal friend. But Gemma, what do you take me for? A soccer ball? Something you can kick away when you don’t want it and pick up again when you do? Sorry, but I’ve rolled far away, and I’m not coming back.”
Ian’s voice was firm, his words cutting.
“There was never anything between us to begin with. Don’t make it sound like we’ve been through some life-and-death ordeal together. Think carefully-back then, the only look you ever gave me was one of disdain.
“I don’t know why you’re suddenly interested in me now. Is it because you can’t stand not getting what you want?
“Whatever the reason, let me be clear-there’s no chance for us. Not now, not ever. Stop wasting your time.”
Ian had never spoken so decisively before.
Gemma’s expression crumbled. “I know why. It’s because you like Aurora. You don’t see me as a goddess anymore because you’ve made her your goddess!”
“You’re talking nonsense.” For the first time, Ian’s calm demeanor faltered when Aurora’s name was mentioned.
“Oh, hit a nerve, did I? Ian, you’ve changed, but I’m a woman. I understand men far better than you think.
“The way you look at Aurora, the reason you joined this company-it’s all because you like her. But she doesn’t like you. She already has Julian.
“Look at yourself. How could you possibly compare to Mr. Barnet? He’s handsome, rich, and utterly devoted to Aurora. Next to him, you’re nothing. You’re not even worthy of carrying his shoes. What could you possibly offer to compete with him?
“Face reality, Ian. Someone like me is the only one who’s truly a match for you. Aurora will never choose you. To her, you’re nothing more than an ant.”
“Enough!” Ian snapped. “I’ve never thought about competing with Mr. Barnet or trying to win Aurora over. All I want is to quietly watch over her and see her happy. That’s enough for me.”
“Watch over her? Don’t make me laugh!” Gemma scoffed. “You’re still so naive, Ian. Men either love women or want to possess them. If you truly loved her, you’d be desperate to have her, no matter the cost.
“You’d want to pin her to your bed and make her yours…”
“You’re insane, Gemma!” Ian shouted. “Stay out of my life, and stay away from me. I will never like you.”
“Ian, what do I lack compared to her? Is it because I’m not the daughter of the Montgomery family? Yes, I don’t have money, but I can give you a home. I can give you myself.
“You don’t like me because you’ve never truly experienced what it’s like to be with a woman. Tonight, I’ll be yours.”
Gemma’s eyes burned with determination as she stripped off her clothes, leaving only her black lingerie.
“Shameless! You’re not worthy of being compared to her. Comparing you to her is an insult to her!”
Ian stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
Gemma’s eyes blazed with fury.
Why? Why was that damn Aurora so special?