Together Apart: Her White Moonlight Has Returned Too-Chapter 6: It’s Better for Women to Stay Ignorant

Chapter 6: Chapter 6: It’s Better for Women to Stay Ignorant

"I’m telling you, don’t touch even a penny of the remaining money." Vera Yves said with a cold face.

Mark Yves retorted defiantly: "You’re only tough when you’re dealing with me."

Vera gave him a look of bitter disappointment and turned away.

When Vera returned to the villa, Winston Valentine was having a video conference in his study.

Vera checked the time, cooked him a bowl of hot noodle soup, and brought it to the study just as his meeting ended.

Looking at the noodles on the table, Winston leaned back casually in his chair. "Is this your way of giving me a slap, then a sweet jujube?"

"I’m apologizing on behalf of my mother."

"Why don’t you just tell me what you want?"

"The Yves Family borrowed money from Theodore Xavier, but the project didn’t win the bid. There’s no way we can pay it back immediately," Vera said calmly. "I’d like you to talk to him, see if we can delay the repayment for a while."

"Business is not charity; everything is based on contracts." Winston looked at her expressionlessly. "Instead of asking me for help, you’d better go check the contract."

Although Vera didn’t have much hope, hearing his unequivocal refusal still made her feel awkward. "Did you already know that The Yves Family was raising funds?"

"What if I did?" Winston smiled at her mockingly. "Didn’t you all already know the capabilities of The Yves Family?"

He clearly knew everything but remained indifferent, not even offering a hint, as if, in his eyes, there wasn’t even a fraction of marital affection between them.

Vera didn’t embarrass herself further and got up to leave the study.

Winston stood up, looked at the steaming bowl of noodles, picked it up and without hesitation, dumped it into a nearby trash can.

...

The news that Yves Group didn’t win the bid and was on the brink of bankruptcy spread quickly.

Vera had Mark contact some of Yves Group’s long-term clients, and Mark directly arranged meetings with them at The Gilded Age.

When Vera arrived, each of the men had a young woman by their side. Mark also had one in his arms, and Vera shot him a look, making him touch his nose sheepishly.

Someone offered Vera a toast, and Vera politely declined. "I don’t drink."

The man’s expression immediately changed. "Then it seems we won’t be able to discuss business today."

Mark quickly stepped in and grabbed the wine. "My sister cannot drink; I’ll drink this on her behalf."

The man blocked his hand. "Does Mrs. Valentine look down on me?"

Vera knew she couldn’t avoid drinking today. She picked up the glass and swirled it. "How could I look down on Mr. Warren? I’ll drink this, and Mr. Warren, feel free."

"Mrs. Valentine, you’re truly generous!"

After that, several people took turns toasting Vera. She accepted calmly, but her stomach was churning.

She excused herself to the bathroom, leaning against the corridor wall as a sharp pain twisted her stomach, sweat breaking out on her forehead.

The door of the room opposite opened, and someone came out while talking on the phone.

Through the crack in the door, she saw Cecilia Vaughn wearing a pink dress and a birthday hat, making a wish with sincerity.

A group of people around her were clapping and singing Happy Birthday, creating a warm atmosphere.

Winston Valentine was standing by her side, wearing a clean white shirt, singing along and looking at her with gentle eyes.

After making her wish, Cecilia suddenly stood on tiptoe and kissed the man’s cheek.

Just as the door closed, everything became isolated from view.

Would he dodge it? Vera thought dazedly as her stomach began to churn again.

So he would specially celebrate someone’s birthday, sing happy birthday to someone, and his gaze could be so gentle.

Vera stumbled to the restroom to wash her face.

Two women were touching up their makeup in front of the mirror.

"Did you hear? Winston Valentine is here tonight to celebrate the sixth lady of The Valentine Family’s birthday, and he ordered 999 red roses for her! The roses were flown in, and he even customized a diamond necklace for her—how romantic."

"What brother would send red roses to his sister?"

"Brother and sister? Don’t you know? This sixth lady is Winston Valentine’s first love."

"Isn’t Winston Valentine already married?"

"Which man doesn’t stray these days? You think his wife doesn’t know? She just turns a blind eye! It’s better for women to stay a little naive!"

Vera supported herself on the marble countertop, looking at her pale reflection in the mirror, and laughed self-mockingly. Indeed, isn’t it better to stay naive?

It took a while for her to return to the room.

Someone else came to toast, and Mark quickly intervened. "My sister really can’t drink anymore. If something happens to her, my brother-in-law will be upset."

"Come on, just one last glass," the man continued to persuade.

If Winston Valentine really cared about this wife, how could he not give a single project to The Yves Family? These people had figured this out, which is why they dared to be so presumptuous tonight.

Thinking of Cecilia kissing Winston, Vera took the glass and downed it in one go.

Her stomach started burning in pain again, as if someone was cutting it with a knife.

The banquet ended past one in the morning, and Vera was sweating from the pain. She struggled to stand up, and someone helped her. "Mrs. Valentine, would you like me to take you home?"

Vera looked around and found that Mark had already left the room with a woman in his arms.

Vera shook her head. "There’s no need."

"Mrs. Valentine, don’t be so polite with me." The man put an arm around her shoulder and led her out of the room.

Vera was in too much pain to stand, and the man’s grip was strong, she couldn’t break free. "Please let go of me!"

"Why pretend to be shy?" The man leaned in and said in a low voice, "Who doesn’t know you used tricks to get into Winston Valentine’s bed back then. Today, if you sleep with me, I guarantee these people won’t trouble Yves Group anymore!"

"Get lost!" Vera tried to push him away, but she had no strength.

"In a while, you won’t want me to leave!" The man grabbed her hand and leaned in sleazily.

Vera turned her head away in disgust. "Don’t touch me!"

"Bang!" A loud noise sounded, and the man was knocked to the ground.

Vera looked up to see Winston Valentine standing in front of her with a stormy expression.

Seeing Winston, the man scrambled to get up and pleaded, "President Valentine, it’s a misunderstanding, a complete misunderstanding. It was... it was she who seduced me!"

"She seduced you?" Winston sneered, his gaze landing on Vera. "Tell me, how did she seduce you?"

"She..."

Winston stomped on the man’s hand, and he let out a scream, unable to say another word.

Several bodyguards came forward and dragged the man away. He screamed in terror, "President Valentine, I’m sorry! I won’t dare again!"

Vera bit her lip, her body swaying unsteadily.

Winston walked up to her, speaking coldly. "You really have some nerve, trying to put a green hat on me?"

Vera shook her head. "I didn’t."

Winston pinched her chin. "Then you deliberately disgust me."

Vera weakly shook her head again, grabbed his arm, and finally couldn’t hold on any longer, collapsing into his arms.