His Mistress is His Ex-Wife
Chapter 218: Vladimir’s Simple Provocation

Chapter 218: Vladimir’s Simple Provocation

Vladimir’s expression turned ashen upon recognizing Dominique.

’He has the guts to show himself here.’ Vladimir clenched his fist.

Meanwhile, Dominique continued staring at Vladimir. He was surprised to see him with Athena.

’Why is he here? What is their relationship?’ Dominique pondered to himself before greeting Vladimir.

"Mr. V, what a small world. I didn’t expect to see you here." Dominique kept his tone neutral. Then he shifted his gaze from Vladimir to Athena.

Vladimir sneered at him and responded. "Indeed, Mr. Smith. I’m also wondering why you are here."

Athena broke into sweats, feeling the growing tension between the two men. She darted her gaze back and forth between Vladimir and Dominique. She didn’t know what to say.

The thing she wanted to avoid suddenly unfolded in front of her– Vladimir and Dominique meeting each other face to face.

’Oh, Damn! What should I say?’

The two men were now looking at her, waiting for her to say something. Their gazes seemed to ask her.

Dominique: ’What is your relationship with him?’

Vladimir: ’Why is your scumbag ex-husband here to see you?’

Athena took a deep breath and put on an awkward smile.

"Hmm. So the two of you had already met," she mumbled. Then she glanced at Dominique. "Mr. Smith, what brings you here? Are you here to discuss our business collaboration? You should have called me ahead of time."

Dominique just frowned upon hearing that. "How about Mr. V? Is he also here to discuss business with you?" He asked, staring at her intently.

Vladimir was about to respond but Athena stopped him by grabbing his elbow tightly.

Athena smiled at Dominique and answered him. "Oh, he is not here to discuss business. He delivered my lunch." She pointed her finger at the paper bag Vladimir was holding.

Dominique was taken aback. He could tell that the two had a close relationship.

’Was he the guy I saw before, sending her home?’ Dominique started to feel jealous. But then...

"By the way, Vladimir is my cousin," Athena declared, making both men speechless.

Vladimir: "..."

Dominique: "..."

Athena gently squeezed Vladimir’s elbow, secretly asking him to play along with her. Besides, the two of them had the same surname, Ivankov.

Vladimir remained silent. But his expression showed that he was displeased. He didn’t want the way she introduced him as her cousin to Dominique.

But Dominique’s jealousy wasn’t appeased by her lie because he already knew her real identity. She was Sabrina. And he knew for sure that Vladimir was not her blood relative.

"Can we talk about the business collaboration some other time, Mr. Smith? This is not the right time to discuss it." Athena wanted to send him away.

But Dominique refused to leave. "I’m hungry. Can I join you for lunch?"

Vladimir narrowed his eyes on Dominique. He was so shameless to invite his own self. Athena didn’t plan to let him stay but Dominique volunteered to stay.

Athena had the urge to punch Dominique as well. ’Can’t he read my expression? I want him to leave.’

"Mr. V, I hope you don’t mind,’ Dominique said, putting on a fake smile.

"Yes, I don’t," Vladimir replied, concealing his negative feelings.

Athena had no choice but to invite the two men inside her house. They settled down in the dining area.

The atmosphere was so awkward. The two men were both silent. Athena lost her appetite as she barely touched her food.

"By the way, how did you know each other?" She started the conversation, breaking the silence.

"Mr. V offered a business deal with me. He wanted to invest in a certain project," Dominique responded.

Athena looked at Vladimir suspiciously. ’He didn’t mention this to me. So V approached Dominique first. But we agreed that he shouldn’t get involved. Did he break his promise?’

Vladimir suddenly became anxious when he met Athena’s questioning gaze. He just remembered that he hadn’t told her about his visit to Dominique’s company.

’Damn. I have to justify my actions.’

"Mr. Smith’s company is known for manufacturing high technology. I’ve told you before about my dream project. The human microchip. I want to trust Starlight Group with this." Vladimir wanted Athena to believe that the reason he approached Dominique was purely for business.

Athena just nodded, yet a lingering doubt still remained. She just hoped Vladimir was not lying to her.

Meanwhile, Dominique couldn’t stop himself from being jealous as he witnessed the way Vladimir talked to Athena. The closeness between the two was evident. He told her about his Dream Project.

’Is he still single or not?’ Dominique observed Vladimir silently.

It did not take long before he recalled something. Vladimir was the mysterious bidder who almost won the bidding during the Circle Event if he hadn’t interfered.

Dominique clenched his fists at that thought.

’This guy likes her for sure. I can sense it. He doesn’t treat Athena as his cousin.’

Dominique felt threatened by Vladimir’s existence. What if he was the one who saved Athena five years ago? There was a possibility that love would bloom between the two. Dominique could see Vladimir as his rival.

"Do you often bond with each other? You seem so close... as cousins." Dominique blurted out while looking at Athena meaningfully.

Vladimir smirked at him. "Of course. We are Very Close. Closer than you imagine. I always come here to hang out. Her house is my favorite place. I can sleep here all I want."

Dominique dropped the spoon and fork upon hearing that. He wasn’t dumb. He knew that Vladimir deliberately said those words to insinuate something.

His heart constricted inside his chest since Athena didn’t bother to explain or contradict Vladimir’s words.

She just smiled and nodded. She didn’t bother to contradict Vladimir since she thought it was only natural for cousins to bond together like that. She didn’t think Dominique would take Vladimir’s words seriously and give different meanings to them.

"Athena, you have to eat more. You are skinny now." Vladimir put some food on Athena’s plate, provoking Dominique further by showing his sweet gesture toward Athena.

He even caressed the side of Athena’s lips.

Dominique didn’t know how long he could endure watching this display of affection. Vladimir didn’t bother to hide it.