Chapter 187

Chapter 187

I frowned at Azure, my tone cold. "What are you doing here?"

Azure looked hurt. "The department head told us to come, so I just—"

Same old act. Playing the victim to get sympathy.

Sure enough, several male coworkers were already shooting her concerned looks. If we'd known each other better, I was sure some of them would've jumped in to "defend" her.

"Have fun."

I gave her a brief glance and didn't bother engaging further.

My coworkers kept looking our way. I figured it was partly because of how gorgeous Azure was, but also because they could tell we knew each other—and that something was off between us.

Within minutes, Azure was surrounded by enthusiastic young people pulling her into the group.

Of course. Being pretty was a free pass, especially when you were the type who knew how to bat your eyelashes and play cute.

Irritated, I pulled out my phone and texted Ceria.

[Talk about bad luck. I can't even escape her at a company retreat.]

Ceria's reply came fast. [That two-faced little snake is at your company?]

Yeah. Out of all the companies abroad, she just happened to end up at mine. I didn't know if it was coincidence or deliberate.

"You seem like you don't like that host very much."

I was hiding out on the balcony when a female coworker approached me.

"Not really. I don't know her well enough to like or dislike her," I said casually.

The woman wasn't letting it go. "She seems really sweet. So why do you dislike her so much?"

I frowned at her. We barely interacted at work, so I didn't understand why she was pushing this conversation.

"Is it because of Gabriel?" The woman said his name easily, like it was nothing.

I stared at her, caught off guard. "You know Gabriel?"

"Yeah. We're enemies," she said casually.

Then her gaze landed on me. "Just like you and me. We're enemies too."

I looked at her, genuinely wondering if she had some kind of problem. We had no history. How had we suddenly become enemies?

"Do you know Samantha Anderson?" the woman asked, raising an eyebrow.

My stomach dropped. That was Gabriel's ex-girlfriend's name.

Could the world really be this small?

Looking at the woman in front of me, I realized her features looked vaguely similar to photos I'd seen of Samantha.

"So you're...?"

"I'm Sandra. Samantha's older sister."

That explained it. That explained why she'd been staring at me weird since my first day. I'd thought it was just a cultural boundary thing. Turns out I'd found the reason.

"When Gabriel and I got married, I didn't know your sister existed," I said carefully.

But Sandra didn't seem interested in my explanation. "So what?"

"At the end of the day, my sister died because you married Gabriel."

"So you're defending Azure because she looks like your sister?" I raised an eyebrow.

"They look so much alike. Sometimes I almost think that girl is my sister," Sandra murmured. "Except my sister wasn't as brave as her."

"So you don't hate her for stealing your sister's boyfriend? You should tell her she's just a replacement." I gave Sandra a pointed look.

Sandra's face twisted with disgust. "Ember, you really are a vicious woman."

"I'm vicious?"

I looked at Sandra, almost laughing. But what had I done wrong?

I had no idea Samantha existed. I didn't know any of this history. But everyone kept blaming me, expecting me to atone. How was any of this my fault?

I looked at Sandra, annoyed. "You're just like some people. Always looking to blame someone else for your problems."

Sandra stared at me with venom in her eyes. "Why wasn't it you who died?"

"Why did my sweet, innocent sister have to go through all that?"

I stood up, frustrated. "Blame her for falling for the wrong guy. And get this straight—I wasn't the other woman. I had no idea your sister existed. But Azure? She's the homewrecker. She inserted herself into my marriage while Gabriel and I were still together."

I stared coldly at this bitter, resentful woman.

Maybe I'd been talking too loud, because several nearby coworkers had turned to look.

Azure was standing there with tears in her eyes, looking completely wronged. Finally, unable to handle the scrutiny, she turned and ran off.

Same helpless-victim routine. I was immune to it by now.

"Ember, you're a monster. Why do you have to hurt such an innocent girl?" Sandra ran after her.

I let out a cold laugh and took a sip of my whiskey.

Innocent girl?

Azure would probably love hearing herself described that way.

My coworkers' expressions ranged from shocked to bewildered. Clearly this drama had caught everyone off guard.

The event ended early.

I drove home, only to find Gabriel waiting downstairs by my building. He stood there expressionless, blocking the entrance, staring at me coldly.

I was a little surprised. This workaholic had actually stayed abroad this long?

So he was here because of Azure, wasn't he? His little girlfriend had been upset at the party, so now he was here to confront me.

Before I could finish that thought, he strode toward me.

"Steven's been calling me trying to get your number," Gabriel said slowly, anger simmering in his voice.

Steven and I hadn't been in contact for a while—probably since I left the country. I'd deliberately blocked all his contact info. After all, I'd only gotten tangled up with him because I wanted to get back at Gabriel and Azure.

Since I'd decided to let go of that relationship, I'd let go of Steven too.

"You ran off abroad to hide, but your little boy toy seems pretty invested," Gabriel said mockingly.

"Cutting your losses is smart. Just like with our relationship."

I looked at Gabriel defiantly.

Gabriel seemed almost amused by my logic. After a long pause, he finally spoke. "Ember, I really want to crack open your head and see what's going on in there."