Chapter141Married Status
If Winona Sullivan remembered correctly, they had just met for the first time. They didn't even know each other's names, and this woman was already treating her with contempt.
Although Austin was rough around the edges – and his encounters with women in recent years could be counted on one hand – he was attuned to the overt malice in Wendy's attitude.
Frowning, he was about to interject when Winona Sullivan arched an eyebrow at Wendy, "What?"
Wendy had intended to drop a subtle hint, but Winona's direct challenge left her no choice but to be blunt, "Does Austin know your married status ? "
Winona Sullivan turned to Austin, as if handing over the responsibility to explain. Wendy's words were harsh, but understandable.
If it were her friend dating a married person, she'd probably assume deceit and react even worse.
Austin wasn't cold but was far from warm towards Wendy. To him, she was just his sister's best friend, "I'm aware, but that's our business..."
"Austin," Chloe stared in disbelief at her handsome, always-popular-with-the-ladies brother, "you're seducing a married woman? You're crossing a moral line."
Austin was at his wit's end with his sister, his patience wearing thin as he urged her to leave, "Beat it, Chloe. You're talking too much."
Winona Sullivan couldn't help but snicker, a soft burst of laughter escaping her lips. Austin gave her a resigned glance filled with an indulgent helplessness that only those closest to him could provoke.
Unseen by Winona, Wendy caught every nuance of that look, a flash of resentment quickly crossing her features...
Austin was hers. After waiting all these years, she'd be damned if she let some other woman have him.
Chloe used to be far from intimidated by Austin, but that had changed since his military stint. Now, when he furrowed his brow in anger, she reacted as though she was a mouse caught by a cat. Seeing his serious demeanor now, she promptly grabbed Wendy and left.
When they were well away from the café, Chloe started in on Wendy, "My brother and that woman are just playing at being a couple. Wendy, you need to confess your feelings to him already. I've been rooting for you to become my sister-in-law for years!"
Wendy managed a strained smile, “We'll see. I don't want to pressure Austin.”
Innocent girls like Chloe, who had never dated, couldn't see the possessiveness in a man's eyes; Austin clearly had a thing for that woman, regardless of her marital status.
Back in the café, Winona Sullivan stirred the undissolved sugar in her cup, "If you don't like her, be straight with her. Putting on an act to deceive her is just cruel."
Remembering her own interactions in front of Zachary Bailey, Winona felt a pang of empathy for Wendy.
"She's never said she likes me," Austin sighed. " She just looks at me with that bashful, girlish gaze. How can I bluntly tell someone to stop liking me if they've never confessed?"
With matters of the heart being so personal, Winona simply fell silent.
They were halfway through their coffee when the curtain rustled again.
Before they even looked up, they heard the newcomer instruct the doorman, "Have the waiter bring an extra stool."
Winona's gaze shot past the man to the two bodyguards. She refused to believe it was mere coincidence to encounter Zachary Bailey in such a place.
Feeling Winona's scrutiny, one of the bodyguards awkwardly looked away.
Austin, cockily raising an eyebrow at Zachary Bailey, quipped with a callous edge, "Mr. Bailey, finding time to loiter? Is the Bailey Group on the brink of bankruptcy?"
"Shall we bet on it? See whether the Bailey Group goes under before the Robinsons disappear from New York."
The waiter brought the extra stool, his eyes alight with the lust for gossip.
What started with three men and a woman sharing a booth had escalated with the addition of two more women, and now another man. It was a veritable feast of juicy drama, each layer more tantalizing than the last.
A sly smirk curled on Austin's lips as he rose to his feet, his voice a whisper meant only for the two of them, "Would Mr. Bailey really dare to lay a hand on me?"
Austin knew that if Zachary Bailey took a swing at him, it would only further strain Zachary's already tense marriage to Winona. And Zachary knew it too.
Zachary Bailey sat back down, his voice icy, "The Robinsons might have their war heroes, but what's Mr. Austin so proud of? Stirring up trouble in someone else's marriage? Feels good to play the other man, does it?"
Winona Sullivan tried to interject, but Austin cut her off with a stern look, "You can insult me all you want, Mr. Bailey, but don't disrespect Winona. I won't do anything to hurt her before your divorce is finalized. If you convince her not to divorce, I'll back off and wish you both well."
His gaze bore the unwavering resolve of a man seasoned by years of dangerous missions, "But if you can't, the moment you two are divorced, I'll marry her."
Winona felt overwhelmed, "What are you talking about..."
Before she could finish, a chilling gust brushed by her ear. By the time she realized what was happening, Zachary had snatched Austin by the collar, "You think you stand a chance?"
The private room was cramped, and when Zachary reached out, he accidentally bumped into Winona, causing her to stumble towards Austin.
But before she could collide with him, Zachary yanked her into his arms and stood up, taking her with him, "Even if I've let her go, that doesn't make her yours to claim."
Austin's expression, previously calm despite being collared, turned fierce at Zachary's words, "You... She's not an object!"
His fist swung toward Zachary's face, only to be halted by Winona's call, "Austin..."
His punch stopped mid-air.
After a few silent seconds, Winona spoke again, her voice now steady, "Don't dirty your hands for this."
She had never regretted falling in love with Zachary Bailey. Their marriage had been one of convenience, and his indifference towards her stemmed simply from a lack of affection. Winona had always known Zachary didn't have feelings for her; it wasn't fair to harbor resentment for not being liked in return.
After all, love wasn't a transaction.
When she had suggested divorce, Winona had accepted the possibility of Zachary moving on and starting a new family with another woman. It made her sad, naturally, but she was also prepared to wish him well.
But now...
Winona Sullivan wriggled free from Zachary Bailey's embrace, her gaze hadn't swept across him even briefly since he uttered that last remark. All her parting words were addressed to Austin: "Sorry to drag you into this."
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