What on earth was going on? Curiously, I craned my neck as Jude rose and moved across the room. I spotted Rebel a little distance away and winced, seeing her confront Eve.
“I beg your pardon?” Eve replied coldly.
Rebel laughed. “You fucking should be begging for forgiveness. What’s a cheap slut doing in a classy place like this? Does Tom know a venereal, street walking whore has crashed his retirement party?”
Beside me, Zinnia gasped and began laughing as I kept my face expressionless.
“Oh, I’m getting in on this.” Dax grinned and headed over.
I silently shook my head. This was about to become a shitshow.
“Shut your mouth, you damn cunt!” Oliver snapped, appearing.
“What did you fucking say tomy wife?” Jude was at Rebel’s back in an instant. Anger rolled off him, but Oliver was oblivious. He was too puffed up with his own self-importance. The fool smirked as he noticed guests watching, and I cringed. A spiteful thought entered my head, shocking me. How had I been proud to be on that preening peacock’s arm?
“Control Rebel, Knox. Bitch should know her place,” Oliver retorted. “Eve is here as my assistant and doesn’t deserve such disrespect.”
“Is that so?” Dax appeared. “Yet this is a party to celebrate Tom’s retirement. Not a networking event. Why the fuck would anyone bring… Rebel, please repeat.”
“A venereal, street walking whore,” Rebel said cheerfully. Those surrounding them began whispering and laughing. “Even worse, she’s a lying bitch. The slut’s claiming that’s a Mystique original. Mystique would never create such garbage!”
“That’s nowhere near a Mystique design,” Zinnia called, and Oliver and Eve’s gaze turned to us.
Oliver’s eyes narrowed. “Oh, I might have guessed you’d be behind this! Is this what you’re reduced to? Recruiting your friends to bully Eve?”
“This has nothing to do with me,” I murmured as people stared. This scene was out of my worst nightmare. Oliver knew I hated being in the spotlight, and he was getting off on this. Triumph shone in his eyes as he attacked.
“Don’t lie, Alicia! I’m your husband. I know you inside out,” Oliver snapped. “Rein your friends in. This is a pathetic attempt to garner notice from those better than you.”
“Oh, Oliver, I don’t want attention, believe me,” I retorted. My alter ego was popping her head up. How dare Eve claim that terrible design was mine? The insult was unmitigated.
“How did you get in anyway? The invite was for me and a plus one. Eve is my guest, so the real gate crasher here is you!” he declared loudly. The murmurs grew louder. “Security should throw you out!”
“Can you believe Kensington’s throwing his wife out?” someone gasped.
“God, how embarrassing!” another replied
“Alicia is here as my guest,” a man stated emphatically as hands landed on my shoulders. Fingers dug slightly in as I recognised the voice. Dax and Jude showed surprise before they wiped their expressions. “Thank you for keeping Alicia company while I ran late.” Cain Russell lifted his chin at Dax and Jude.
Both realised what was happening, which was quicker than Rebel and Zinnia. They gaped at Cain and me for a few moments, and then both grinned.
“Cain, it was our pleasure,” Rebel replied, and Cain nodded.
“You’re here with him?” Oliver demanded incredulously. He looked like he wanted to shout and rant, but Cain’s presence was keeping him in check.
“Yes, and you brought a cum guzzling skank. Nice to see you’re finally dipping into your own class. Alicia was always above you in every way that matters,” Cain said, and gasps came from the peanut gallery.
Oliver turned puce with anger, but those present knew he wouldn’t challenge Cain. Only a fool with career suicide would.
With bated breath, everyone, including myself, watched to see what Oliver would do.
Oliver froze, clearly trying to work out how to save his dignity.
“Are you going to let him insult me like that?” Eve demanded.
Oliver glanced over, and Eve saw his hesitation on his face. Amused despite myself, I kept quiet as Eve made a decision.
“This isn’t a Mystique. It’s from a new up-and-coming designer we’ve been courting. Mystique is growing stale in my opinion,” Eve said and changed the subject.
