Chapter 54 The Game of Adult Men and Women
Scarlett froze, her gaze lifting to meet Ambrose's eyes—those dark eyes currently glinting with amusement. Ever since she'd called him out about the Midnight Oasis Bar incident in his car, his words had been laced with suggestive undertones.
She wasn't even divorced yet. And even if she were, she had zero interest in playing whatever game he had in mind. Time to set some boundaries.
She gripped her water glass with both hands, taking a sip while deliberately avoiding his gaze.
"Mr. Boleyn, I really don't want to keep saying this, but you seem to keep misunderstanding something." She paused, then looked up to meet his eyes directly.
"I believe in fair exchange. You help me, I help you. That's all this is." A two-second pause. "As for what happened at Midnight Oasis Bar, you already kissed me back. We're even."
"I need our relationship to stay strictly transactional. I don't do casual hookups."
The smile on Ambrose's face slowly hardened. His narrow eyes suddenly narrowed further, a dangerous glint flashing through them.
Scarlett's heart stuttered. She tensed, instinctively stepping back twice. Was he about to lose it and actually hit her?
In those two steps, Ambrose caught her fear. He took a breath, reining in that dangerous edge in his eyes, then let out a cold laugh—the kind that comes from being too angry to stay angry.
"Well, aren't you experienced? 'Casual hookups.' You've done this before?"
Scarlett bit her lip. Given his earlier reaction, she didn't dare shoot back carelessly. She lowered her head, took another sip of water, then answered quietly.
"I've seen it happen."
Ambrose's expression turned icy. "Then you're really flattering yourself."
His words dripped with contempt.
She was married. Had a kid. Not his type for that kind of arrangement—was that what he meant?
But she wasn't offended. Let him get in a few digs if it helped him feel better.
"Here, have some fruit!" Just as the tension reached its peak, Rhea walked over with a smile, carrying a platter of cut fruit.
Talk about perfect timing. Scarlett quickly moved toward her, and after Rhea set the platter on the table, she pulled her friend down onto the couch.
"Rhea, you've been on your feet all day. Sit down and rest."
With someone else present, Ambrose wouldn't exactly go off on her.
Scarlett leaned forward, speared a piece of fruit with a fork, and handed it to Rhea. Then she grabbed another piece for herself, but her peripheral vision caught Ambrose's stony expression.
Fine. She'd said what needed saying. But they still had to work together—no point making things this awkward. So she stood up, walked over to him, and held out the piece of watermelon.
"Want some watermelon?"
Ambrose didn't take it. His cold gaze locked onto hers for a long moment before he finally spoke, his voice flat.
"A slap followed by candy. What do you take me for?"
With that, he strode toward where he'd left his coat, grabbed it, and headed for the door.
Scarlett stood there awkwardly, watching him pick up his suitcase and make his way out. She didn't try to stop him. Didn't walk him to the door. Just lowered her head and bit into the watermelon at her own pace.
Sweet.
Just like her mood right now. At least he probably wouldn't say weird stuff to her anymore, right?
Rhea, who'd been watching the whole thing, pieced together what happened. Seeing Scarlett zone out, she quickly got up and followed Ambrose to the door.
"Mr. Boleyn, have a safe trip." Rhea stood in the doorway, watching him wheel his suitcase toward the elevators until he disappeared from view. Only then did she close the door and turn back.
"Scarlett, did you two have a fight?" Rhea asked as she walked back.
Scarlett bit into another piece of watermelon, swallowing before she answered with a sigh of relief. "We just have a work arrangement. It's not like we can really 'fight.' We were discussing some things, and I guess he didn't like what I had to say."
Rhea didn't press further. She understood Scarlett's situation—currently going through a divorce, the last thing she needed was to be seen getting too close to another man.
From what Rhea knew, Scarlett's husband already suspected her of cheating. Given the circumstances, Scarlett absolutely needed to keep her distance from other men.
"Rhea, I'm going to check on the kids' bath. You should wash up and get some rest too."
With that, she stood up, tossed the watermelon rind into the trash bin under the table, grabbed a tissue, and wiped her mouth as she walked away.
Rhea watched her go, her heart aching. Scarlett could've had such a good life, but Wesley had ruined everything. That bastard. People like him always got what they deserved in the end.
After the kids had rested for four or five days, the school called with an apology. They'd fired the teacher who'd mistreated the children and said Scarlett was welcome to send them back anytime.
Scarlett was genuinely surprised by that last part.
Had Ambrose put pressure on them? Or had the school actually taken the initiative?
"I need that teacher to apologize to my daughter in person. My child's emotional well-being needs to be addressed."
"Of course. We'll arrange it when she comes back to school," the administrator replied.
After the administrator finished speaking, Scarlett stayed quiet for a few seconds before asking, "You already packed up all of Yara's things and sent them back to me. Now you want her to return? Isn't that a bit... inconsistent?"
"Yara's parent, we sincerely apologize. We weren't actually aware of what was happening. That teacher acted on her own after being influenced by certain parents. Now that we know, we absolutely won't tolerate this kind of behavior."
The administrator spun their narrative, but Scarlett could read between the lines. They were pinning everything on that one teacher while the school washed its hands clean.
Classic move. Worked everywhere.
After weighing her options, Scarlett agreed to send Yara back. One, because Yara already knew the environment. Two, after this incident, the school wouldn't dare let it happen again. At a new school, she'd have to worry about whether new teachers or classmates would have issues with Yara.
Better to stay put.
Still, she was surprised the preschool had enough clout to weather a scandal this big. They must have some serious backing.
On the day the kids returned to school, Scarlett took them there early in the morning. At the entrance, a teacher came out to meet them—looked about thirty, shoulder-length hair, sharp and professional. Her demeanor was appropriate, neither overly friendly nor cold. Just how a teacher should be.
Scarlett felt a weight lift from her chest.
"Yara's mom, I've been briefed on what happened. I'll be monitoring her emotional state closely. Also, you can access the classroom video feed anytime—I'll send you the login information in a bit."
Scarlett blinked in surprise. The school had changed its policies.
"Thank you so much."
After dropping the kids off, Scarlett turned and headed back toward her car. That's when she noticed increased security around the school—uniformed officers on patrol.
The change put her even more at ease. At least she didn't have to worry about the Ross family coming after Yara anymore.
"Ms. Mellon, wait a moment." A voice suddenly called out, stopping her in her tracks.
She paused, turning toward a car parked by the curb. The rear window rolled down, revealing a man's face.
It's Delta's father—Mason.