Chapter 28 Car Wash
Exhaling deeply, Brooklyn finally completed the task of bandaging her wound. She swiped the sweat from her brow with the back of her hand, the exertion causing her usually fair and radiant skin to flush slightly. Her lips, pale from nervous biting, exuded a fleeting vulnerability that could stir the heart of an observer.
"In order to convince Quinn that we are a happily married couple, you'll need to arrange some convincing props," Brooklyn advised. "Even though you don't reside here, please ensure some of your personal items are prominently displayed."
Sebastian's gaze lingered on her moving lips for a moment before he averted his eyes hastily. "Understood," he agreed.
Brooklyn surveyed the spacious living room as she tended to her wound. The decor was opulent, bordering on excessive, and lacked the warmth and vibrancy that would bring it to life.
"If you require anything, feel free to purchase it," Sebastian offered.
With that, he retrieved a gold card from his suit pocket and placed it before Brooklyn.
She glanced at the gold card. "Am I free to use this card as I wish?"
Sebastian responded with a sidelong glance, remaining silent. He had always allowed her unrestricted access to his card and finances. Yet, he found it surprising that Brooklyn, who had married him for his wealth, had never utilized the supplementary card he had provided her over the past three years.
Occasionally, he found himself questioning whether money was truly the root of Brooklyn's desires, given that it seemed to bring her little satisfaction.
As Brooklyn re-bandaged her wound, a sly smile graced her lips. "Mr. Kingsley, given your generosity, I will gladly accept," she declared.
Sebastian responded with indifference. "As you wish."
Despite the darkness outside, the living room was brightly illuminated. Seated at opposite ends of a sofa, Brooklyn and Sebastian sat in silence, neither making a move. The moment was serene, almost picturesque.
Brooklyn shook her head. She knew better than to harbor any expectations regarding Sebastian.
Sebastian, engrossed in the documents before him, read through them repeatedly, nearly committing each term to memory. Despite the repetition, he remained seated on the sofa, showing no intention of leaving.
He hadn't anticipated that the presence of this woman, with her questionable intentions, could instill such tranquility within him. The sensation was starkly different from his solitary existence.
Unable to remain seated any longer, Brooklyn rose to her feet. She leaned against the sofa, bit her lip, and decided to break the silence. "I'm going to take a shower," she announced.
Sebastian's temples pulsed visibly. Her casual statement felt like an intimate whisper, automatically categorizing his thoughts -- Honey, I'm going to take a bath.
"Hmm," was all he managed to respond.
Brooklyn paused, considering the late hour. Sebastian didn't usually stay the night, and if he didn't leave soon, he wouldn't get a proper night's rest. "Aren't you leaving yet?" she inquired, her voice taking on a frosty edge.
Sebastian felt a surge of anger. She wanted him to leave? "Rest assured, I have no interest in living with you," he retorted.
"That's for the best," she replied curtly, before ascending the stairs and slamming the bedroom door behind her.
Sebastian slammed the documents onto the desk, his gaze fixed angrily on the closed bedroom door upstairs. He was overcome with the urge to confront Brooklyn, to strangle her for her insolence.
Sebastian picked up his phone and dialed Dario's number. "Come to Bayside Villas immediately," he ordered.
"Yes, right now!" he snapped when Dario hesitated.
Dario was taken aback. Sebastian was at Bayside Villas? He hadn't been there in three years!
When Dario arrived, Sebastian climbed into the car wordlessly, his expression clearly conveying his anger. Dario glanced up at the lit bedroom window on the second floor. "Mr. Kingsley, did you forget to turn off the lights? Or... is there someone upstairs?" he asked, already suspecting the answer.
"Enough with the chatter, just drive," Sebastian snapped.
Dario chuckled, "Mr. Kingsley, since you're already here, why not stay the night? Mrs. Kingsley rarely visits, this is a rare opportunity."
"Drive, or do I need to throw you out?" Sebastian threatened.
"Alright, alright, I'm driving," Dario conceded.
The following day was Brooklyn's day off. For the first time, she spent three hours shopping using Sebastian's card.
Brooklyn stood, her gaze fixed on the fully packed trunk before her, a swell of accomplishment washing over her. Yet, as satisfying as the task was, she knew there was something far more crucial that demanded her attention.
Having tidied the room and set the scene, Brooklyn secured the villa door behind her and embarked on a drive to the central business district. Her car came to rest outside a high-end office building. As she looked up at the office area of the Mitchell Group, a bitter smile tugged at her lips.
It had been an age since she had last set foot here.
Under her father's guidance, the Mitchell Group had once been a beacon of success. Now, however, the company was more often associated with scandal than success, the majority of the news centered around Susie.
A socialite? A darling of the fashion industry? A nouveau riche? The labels were laughable.
Based on her intelligence, taste, and appearance? The very idea that she could be considered nouveau riche was absurd.
Despite not holding a position within the Mitchell Group or wielding any real power, Brooklyn was, after all, the eldest daughter of the Mitchell family. Yet, oddly enough, her existence seemed to be a mystery to those within the company.
Brooklyn was a rare sight at business banquets, and following high school, she had been sent abroad to study. Six years of medical studies had kept her out of the public eye, leaving very few who knew of her existence, let alone knew her personally.
In stark contrast, Susie was showered with praise wherever she went.
"A meeting? Are you kidding me? I have an appointment with a friend for a beauty treatment in the afternoon, don't you know?"
"But, Ms. Mitchell, the tripartite meeting in the afternoon will directly affect whether this cooperation can be achieved..."
"That pervert just wants me to accompany him for drinks, right? You can contact Mr. Patel separately afterward and tell him I will meet him personally."
"But..."
"Shut up! Get out!"
Susie's secretary was berated and dismissed, her face a mask of resentment and grievance.
Brooklyn couldn't help but question inwardly, 'Susie, is this how you manage the company? Is this how you manage the enterprise that Dad founded?'
With a forceful push, Brooklyn swung open the office door. Susie, engrossed in perfecting her nails, assumed it was her secretary returning. "Why are you here again?!"
Brooklyn's sneer was icy. "Why do you think I'm here?"
Her words startled Susie, who looked up abruptly. "Brooklyn? Why are you here?!"
Brooklyn advanced towards her. "Why can't I be here? I'm more qualified to be here than you are."
Susie rose to her feet, her tone haughty. "Regretting it? Are you trying to take over the company?"
Brooklyn's smile was cold. "Are you afraid?"
"Hmph! Am I afraid of you? Do you really think of yourself as my sister?"
Brooklyn settled onto the sofa across from the desk, her demeanor calm. "No, I don't want to have a sister like you."
Susie's teeth ground together. "I'm working, I don't have time for your nonsense."
Brooklyn leaned forward, her elbows resting on the table, her hands clasped. Her gaze was sharp as she studied Susie, dressed in designer clothes, her face altered by multiple surgeries. A wave of disgust washed over Brooklyn.
"You don't have the qualifications to waste my time with idle talk. You better give me a reasonable explanation," Brooklyn demanded, slamming a CD onto the table. She wished she could slap Susie with it, wondered if Susie's surgically altered face could withstand the impact.
Susie's eyes narrowed. "What is this?"
"You'll see when you look at it, my dear sister," Brooklyn replied, a slight lift of her eyebrow causing a knot to form in Susie's stomach.
Confused, Susie played the surveillance video. As the footage unfolded, her face paled, her expression contorting in horror.
"Is it beautiful? Exciting? Do you like the gift I gave you, my sister?" Brooklyn asked.
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