Chapter 30
“We’re divorced. I wouldn’t humiliate myself like that!” Leroy snapped, grabbing the glass back from Cedric. From Scarlett’s vantage point, it looked as if Leroy had thrown the drink at Cedric. But Cedric deliberately tightened his grip, and the sudden force caused the drink to spill all over Leroy’s shirt.
Cedric’s expression softened immediately, adopting a falsely sympathetic tone. “Dr. Olson, I understand you’re upset, but there’s no need for this kind of behavior,” he said, frowning in mock disapproval.
Leroy froze, completely taken aback. He hadn’t meant to spill the drink. “I didn’t mean to—”
Before he could finish, Scarlett appeared, storming toward them.
“Leroy, what’s wrong with you? Haven’t you caused enough trouble?” she demanded. Without warning, she slapped him across the face, then stepped in front of Cedric protectively.
Leroy’s eyes widened, the sting of the slap spreading across his cheek. He hadn’t expected this—not from her, not in public.
Lettie Grace burned over, panic flashing in her eyes. “Dr. Olson, are you okay? There must be some kind of misunderstanding!” Grace pleaded, looking at Scarlett for confirmation.
But Scarlett interrupted coldly. “I saw it with my own eyes. How could I be wrong?” she snapped. “Leroy, you’ve really let me down.”
With that, she grabbed Cedric’s arm and walked away, leaving Leroy standing there in stunned silence.
He let out a bitter laugh, his eyes darkening. Scarlett was willing to humiliate him in public for Cedric’s sake, throwing away any sense of decorum as a CEO. Three years of his devotion had amounted to nothing.
Grace’s face filled with sympathy. “Dr. Olson, don’t take it to heart. I’ll talk to Scarlett and clear things up,” she said softly. “Please don’t let this ruin your evening.”
But Leroy barely heard her. His voice was cold and distant as he muttered, “I need some time alone.”
Grace hesitated, wanting to say more, but Leroy’s tone left no room for discussion. Reluctantly, she left, her heart aching as she looked back at him.
In the car, Cedric’s eyes brimmed with tears. “Lettie, I didn’t think Leroy hated me so much. Maybe I shouldn’t have come back,” he said, his voice trembling as he looked at her with watery eyes.
His vulnerability struck a chord with Scarlett, touching her soft spot.
“What are you talking about? Leroy and I were just in a contractual marriage. There were never any feelings involved,” she reassured him. “We’re divorced now, and there’s no chance of anything between us.”
Upon hearing that, Cedric broke into a smile. “Thank you for trusting me, Lettie,” he said, pulling her into a hug. But behind her back, his eyes gleamed with smug satisfaction.
Back at the bar, Leroy sat alone at the counter, a growing collection of empty glasses surrounding him.
“Sir, you’ve had quite a few already. Are you sure you want another?” the bartender asked, his voice cautious.
“Keep them coming,” Leroy replied, his words slightly slurred.
The bartender hesitated but eventually poured another drink, setting it in front of him.
Leroy downed it in one gulp, the burning sensation in his throat spreading to his stomach. The sharp pain numbed his emotions, and his thoughts began to clear. He wasn’t sure how long he drank. When he finally stood up, his legs wobbled, and a wave of nausea hit him hard. Moments later, his vision blurred, and he collapsed on the floor.
The bartender rushed over immediately. Unable to rouse Leroy, he grabbed Leroy’s phone to call his emergency contact.
The call connected, and Scarlett’s name appeared on the screen. Scarlett frowned when she saw the incoming call. Her annoyance flared, and she rejected the call without hesitation. She didn’t want to hear anything about Leroy.
Back at the bar, Leroy lay unconscious, the cold, mechanical hum of the machines surrounding him. That was the only sound breaking the silence.