I Slapped My Fiancé—Then Married His Billionaire Nemesis
Chapter 147 - 148 Rub It In

Chapter 147: Chapter 148 Rub It In

Harper’s face immediately flushed red.

‘Did I do something wrong? I don’t think we’ve met before, but if I’ve upset you in any way, I’m happy to apologise.’

Cassian touched her shoulder.

‘Don’t cry, let me figure out what’s going on,’ he said, then turned to me. ‘I’m honestly trying to introduce you to a client. What’s going on? Why are we getting into this before we even eat?’

I’d aimed my snark at Harper to stand up for Yvaine, but Cassian? He was the one who really made me sick.

I stared him down. ‘Drop the act. You think I don’t know what you two are up to?’

Cassian, being an old friend of Ashton’s and a few years older than me, had always gotten my respect in the past.

But not today.

‘I’ve known Yvaine forever, you know we’re close. Yet here you are, bringing this woman here. What’s your play, Cassian? You trying to rub it in Yvaine’s face? Or maybe you want me to sit here with Harper and stir up some drama between me and Yvaine?’

The room went deathly quiet.

The look on Cassian’s face shifted from confusion to something like guilt.

He didn’t say anything for a long moment.

Finally, he let out a breath and tried to explain. ‘I didn’t mean anything like that. It’s just—Harper mentioned wanting a custom piece of jewellery, so I thought of you. I really just wanted to set you up with a potential client.’

He glanced awkwardly at Ashton. ‘I swear, there’s nothing more to it than that.’

Ashton shot Cassian a sharp look. ‘This is really low, Cassian. Did you bring her here just to screw with me?’

Cassian sighed. ‘Look, this whole thing is a misunderstanding. I swear, business is business, no hard feelings. Let’s just talk about the jewellery.’

‘Talk about what?’ I scoffed. ‘I don’t talk business with assholes. Do you think I’m going to sit down and have a meal with you?’

I turned to Harper. ‘And you. You do know Cassian has a girlfriend, right? Yet here you are, willing to play the side piece. I’d rather grind my diamonds into dust and snort them than design a single piece of you.’

I spun towards the door. ‘I’m done.’

If it weren’t for Ashton’s presence, I’d have said something far snarkier.

He fell into step beside me.

Cassian came rushing after us.

‘Ashton, hold on! Please, let me explain! This is all a misunderstanding!’

He caught up with Ashton, grabbing his arm. ‘I’m serious, I didn’t mean for this to go down like this. Don’t let this one little thing ruin our friendship.’

Ashton yanked his arm away, his tone as cold as ice. ‘You betrayed Yvaine, and then you bring that woman here? In front of my wife? What the hell were you thinking?’

Cassian quickly held up his hands. ‘Look, I didn’t mean for all this to happen. I just wanted to arrange a jewellery order. Simple as that. Yvaine and I broke up weeks ago—’

‘It’s not even been a week!’ I cut in.

Ashton flung out an arm to stop Cassian. ‘I don’t care about your mess with Yvaine. But you’ve made Mirabelle angry. That’s on you.’

Cassian frowned. ‘Come on, Ash. We’ve been friends for years. You’re not going to let her get between us, are you?’

I pretended not to care, but my ears pricked up.

‘You think I’m going to pick your side after this? Mirabelle is my wife. If she’s upset, I don’t care who you are, you’re going to pay for it.’

I could hear Cassian’s frustrated sigh.

Ashton reached me in seconds.

‘Slow down, Mira,’ he said softly. ‘Don’t be mad.’

‘I’m not mad, I’m pissed!’ I yanked my arm out of his grasp. ‘Did you know about this?’

‘I knew he was bringing an actress, but that’s all I knew,’ Ashton said, his tone almost pleading. ‘I didn’t know anything about his relationship with the woman. If I had, I wouldn’t have brought you here. I swear.’

I stared at him for a few seconds, trying to lie-detect his expression.

After a moment, I relented.

I wanted to believe him.

Ashton wasn’t an idiot like Cassian; he wouldn’t pull a stunt like that.

But my anger didn’t fade.

I knew I shouldn’t take it out on him, but if he hadn’t brought me here, none of this would’ve happened.

‘Forget it,’ I muttered. ‘It’s not like I can avoid him forever. But when I see him, don’t expect me to be polite. If you’re uncomfortable with that, just do what you can to keep us apart.’

Ashton didn’t hesitate. ‘I’m not uncomfortable. If it’s about business, there’s no avoiding him. But if it makes you unhappy, I won’t see him outside of work again.’

I paused. ‘I’m not trying to control your friendships.’

It wasn’t my place.

But then Ashton said, ‘You can. I’ve got no problem with that. I’ll always back you up, and I’m with you on this whole thing with Yvaine. I don’t like it either.’

‘Really?’ I asked, surprised.

‘Really.’

I climbed down from my moral high horse. ‘The thing is, Cassian’s the one I’m really mad at. He’s the one who’s out of line.’

‘Exactly,’ Ashton agreed, pulling me towards his car. ‘You’re still upset. You’re not driving. Come with me. I’ll take you home.’

‘What about my car?’

‘I’ll get someone to bring it home.’

I ended up in the passenger seat before I could stop myself.