The Vicious Wife

A deal with the devil

It was as if a bucket of cold water was emptied down on Jack's head as he widened his eyes at Roseanne, a realization that Roseanne had used him hit him hard. News of him having a meeting with Roseanne would eventually reach the ears of Sofia and Liam. So, no matter what his decision was, Sofia and Liam would eventually come for him once they resolve their own scandals.

"What? Speechless? Was it because I hit the nail on the head? Why don't you just stop harassing Liam and move on with your pathetic life? Huh? You think this can bring Liam down?" Monique's shrill voice rang even louder, echoing inside the coffee shop. Even though this meant that everyone could hear her, she didn't care because she felt that Liam was the victim here.

Meanwhile Roseanne was just staring at Jack with a smirk on her face. "We already made a deal," Roseanne softly said, just loud enough for Jack to hear in the midst of Monique's tirade.

Jack clenched his jaw and nodded in response. Even though he would stand to gain something from this deal, he couldn't help but feel that he had made a deal with the devil. Did he regret it? No, he didn't. Maybe Lily did trick him but she would help him to destroy the woman that he hated the most and in turn he would get Arison Holdings. This was a classic representation of the end justifies the means.

At this point, Jack finally understood the meaning behind Roseanne's question when she asked him if he would treat Arison Holdings just like how he treats his coffee. Roseanne was about to let him in on her schemes and she was asking him if he was willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his goal even if the means were questionable. Would his conscience allow it? Was he willing to stand his ground and fight to obtain the company?

"What? Answer me! Stop flirting with your ex-fiance's brother and answer me!" Monique's shrill voice made Roseanne turn her head towards her. With a smile on her face, Roseanne rose from her seat.

"Monique... your shrill voice is disturbing the peace in this place. Don't you know that this is a high-end coffee shop? Your skanky attitude is not welcome here," Roseanne said calmly as she opened her purse and placed a couple of bills on the table.

"You think your sharp tongue can scare me?" Monique asked. "Let me tell you something bitch. I am not afraid of you."

"Alright." Roseanne nodded before turning her head to face Jack. "I will give you a call the day after tomorrow. Be ready." Roseanne then walked past Monique only for the latter to grab her shoulders, turn her around before a hand landed hard on her cheek. A resounding slap caused everyone to be quiet, while Jack rose from his seat in shock.

"That's for trying to ruin Liam's career," Monique said with a smug on her face. She then lifted her other hand in an attempt to slap Roseanne on the other cheek but Roseanne was quick to stop her hand this time.

Roseanne's grip was tight – too tight. Monique's face morphed into a scowl. "Let me go!"

Her words only earned a chuckle at Roseanne. "Oh... look at that. Is that a photograph on the floor? Jack, pick it up."

Everyone's eyes immediately looked at the single photograph on the floor. "Isn't this..." Jack said the moment he held the photo in his hand, "Monique and Liam?"

In the photo was a woman clad in just a bathrobe. She was looking out of the floor to ceiling windows of a room while holding a tall and slim glass in one hand. Behind her was a man who seemed to be whispering into her ear while his hands were wrapped around her waist. Though most of the man's body was blocked by the woman in the picture, it was obvious that he was not wearing anything while he hugged the woman.

Monique's face turned ashened when she saw the photo. Their faces were clearly captured and people would surely recognise the man and the woman in the photo to be Liam and her respectively. She made an attempt to grab the photo from Jack but Roseanne's grip was too tight. She turned towards Roseanne and was surprised to see the latter smiling at her. "Did you think, I would let you slap me for free?"