Chapter 36

Winnie turned her head. Victoria's expression was hidden by her hair, then she raised her head and smiled. "I've been thinking about getting an ad for Imperial Jewelry. So, Winnie, why don't you teach me something about jewelry?"

Winnie pursed her lips, opened her computer to show her. "I've only finished half."

"Oh my, it's so beautiful," Victoria looked at it intently and exclaimed.

The three of them chatted for a while, and Victoria stood up. "I'll need the bathroom. Are you coming?"

Olivia tossed her mask to her. "Go ahead."

Victoria chuckled, lifting the curtain and stepping out. Winnie's peripheral vision casually swept the area, unsure if she was mistaken but it seemed she had caught a glimpse of Ava. She promptly stood up and peeked her head out, but there was no one in the corridor.

"What's wrong?" Olivia asked.

"Mistaken identity." Winnie shook her head. 'This was their secret spot so how could Ava be aware of it?' Winnie thought, her brows slightly furrowed.

"What are you thinking?" Olivia raised an eyebrow at her.

Winnie thought for a moment and said, "Olivia, have you noticed that Victoria seems different this time since she came back?"

"What do you mean by different?" Winnie couldn't quite explain it. There was no obvious difference, and it might just be her imagination.

"I experienced such a significant event, and she only asked one question, and our conversation unexpectedly shifted to the jewelry competition."

"You, with your sharp intellect, tend to overanalyze. Perhaps she's simply intrigued by the entertainment world. The industry is often fixated on rapid success and immediate gains, isn't that typical? She mentioned that she only recently took an interest in jewelry because she aims to secure an advertisement from Imperial. Don't fret. We've been close friends for many years. Don't allow the Anderson family to erode your trust in everyone. At least you can rely on me and Victoria."

Olivia held her hand and smiled confidently, dispelling Winnie's doubts. Winnie felt shame overcame her for ever suspecting her best friend.

Victoria came out of the restroom, touched up her makeup, and after about two minutes, another charming figure also came out and went in a different direction. The three friends went to Olivia's house where Winnie had left some reference books before Victoria's manager came to pick her up. Winnie stayed behind, looking through the books and did some sketching.

Seeing that it was almost evening, Winnie thought Lawrence should be off work soon. She had been taken advantage of by her archrival Lawrence Rodriguez today and felt guilty toward her husband at home. She wondered if she should call her husband.

Olivia seemed to know her thoughts. "What? Are you missing your fake husband? Make the phone call and have him come pick you up." Olivia snatched her phone before Winnie could say anything, quickly found Lawrence's number, and dialed it.

After the call connected, Olivia quickly handed the phone to Winnie. Winnie glanced at her in annoyance, her face slightly flushed as she said, "Hello, Mr. Rodriguez?"

"May I ask what's the matter?" A gentle and pleasant female voice came through the phone.

Winnie suddenly stiffened, and Olivia's face changed. She rudely asked, "Who are you? Where's the owner of the phone?"

"Lawrence is resting. Do you have any business with him?" The woman's voice was calm, but Winnie could tell she regarded herself as the mistress. She remembered that his friends called him Lawrence, which meant they were very close to him to address him that way. If it was a female employee, she would never dare to call him Lawrence.

Recalling the silhouette of the woman in Mr. Rodriguez's car that morning, the smile faded from her face, her eyelashes fluttering down as she swiftly stated, "I have nothing to discuss."

Winnie immediately hung up, holding her phone in her hand, but it felt uncomfortable no matter how she held it. Her gaze dimmed and turned cold. She wondered why he would be resting in the middle of the afternoon and why that woman's words were so ambiguous.

The more she thought about it, the worse her complexion became. She forced herself to build a wall, and told herself, that his affairs had nothing to do with her but there seemed to be something blocking her heart, making her feel suffocated. If he really had a girlfriend, then why did he deny having one that day, and why did he give her, her favorite book, help her with her drawings, and always unintentionally flirt with her?

"Winnie, maybe she's just a female employee," Olivia said with a smile.

"Do you believe that? Besides, it's a contract marriage, his affairs have nothing to do with me." Winnie forced a casual smile. "I will have dinner at your house today since I'm still hungry. Can we order something?"

"Ok, you can stay at my house and we'll have a sleepover," Olivia said cautiously. Winnie didn't return home that night and stayed at Olivia's house. Lawrence didn't give her a call either. Internally, Winnie mocked him for not bothering to provide an explanation.

The next day, Winnie planned to stay at Olivia's house. However, Melissa called. Winnie was afraid that she would worry, so she quickly grabbed her computer and went back to the villa.

Melissa touched her shoulder and asked cautiously, "Winnie, did you have a fight with your husband?"

"No." Winnie pretended to be calm and shook her head.

"That's good, I was wondering why you didn't go home. That little rascal is busy. Maybe he had neglected you these past few days. Don't be angry, my dear."

'Maybe he's taking care of someone else very well,' Winnie thought lightly but then Melissa suddenly laughed. "Winnie, it wasn't me who asked you to come back, it was your husband who asked you to bring something to him. He should be done with work tonight and have time to accompany you."

Winnie was confused. "Bring him something? To where?"

"To this hotel. This is what he wants. Take it and go. The driver will take you." She handed a bag to Winnie and urged her into the car.

Even when the car arrived at the hotel, Winnie still hadn't snapped out of it. A servant led her into a scented suite, and Winnie felt that the atmosphere was off.

As soon as she turned her head, the servant closed the door from outside and instructed her, "Mr. Rodriguez asked you to take a bath and rest first, there are pajamas in the bag." Winnie was completely puzzled and wondered why he asked her to come all the way to the hotel only to wear pajamas.

It was 7 p.m. and she hadn't slept well these past two days due to working on her drafts. She had been waiting for a while, but she was already feeling sleepy. She went to take a bath first. Upon emerging, she found no other pajamas available, so she had to don the ones from the bag without paying much attention. They seemed thin and had a tail-like embellishment, but she was too tired. She slowly lay down on the bed and fell asleep.

At 8 p.m., footsteps sounded in the corridor. A man, in a well-tailored, dignified suit walked over, his tall figure exuding an aura of nobility. He walked over with a cold expression. When he saw Taylor, the man frowned. "Why is Winnie at the hotel?"

"She thought it was quiet here and wanted to work on her drafts. Mr. Rodriguez, please go in quickly." Taylor smiled. "By the way, you must have been busy and haven't eaten yet, so Melissa made some chicken soup for you." The man raised an eyebrow, his gaze fixed on the door, thinking about the woman inside but he didn't look for long. He raised the bowl and drank the hot soup.

Turning the handle, he stepped inside. The room was dimly lit, matching the fragrance emanating from the woman. A nervous gulp involuntarily rose in his throat.

Taylor immediately ran back to the corner, and Melissa laughed triumphantly. "I put medicine in the soup, they will definitely make up tonight."

"Melissa, what if Mr. Rodriguez finds out?"