Chapter 5. Who Is That Woman?

A minimarket was Rebecca’s first destination. The throbbing headache and the intense nausea in her stomach had to be treated first. Alone on the minimarket’s terrace, she sipped a bottle of hangover cure-relief from the effects of alcohol. Her gaze was empty as the discomfort slowly faded away.

Rebecca let out a harsh sigh. Internally, she lamented another bad start to her day. Ever since that ill-fated morning, she hadn’t felt even a sliver of happiness. It was as if, from that morning onward, her fate had been written to be filled with misfortune that swept away all her joy. Yet she felt she had never committed any heinous sin to deserve such unfair treatment. She never even disturbed anyone else’s life, including Rowena, her stepsister.

Did she really deserve to be humiliated this badly?... Rebecca’s thoughts were interrupted by a phone notification that startled her. She managed to pull her phone from her bag. Instantly, her weary face lit up at the caller’s name on the screen.

Jolie’s calling...

“Jolie-”

“Where are you, Becca!” Jolie’s panicked voice, her best friend, cut Rebecca off before she could greet her. “You... argh! I’ve been going crazy trying to contact and find you! Where are you? Do you want to know? I was struck by lightning when I heard the latest news after arriving at your house last night! Becca... oh, my! Tell me it’s not true! Tell me about Rowena marrying Elvis, Becca!”

Rebecca closed her eyes, realizing her mistake. She had forgotten to update Jolie, too caught up in her own problems. She was busy searching for evidence alone, tending to her wounded heart, and hugging her cold, lonely body. Even though she still couldn’t fight for justice, at least she felt calmer and knew who was behind everything that had happened. Though broken and hurt, she still stood tall on her own two feet.

Additionally, the distance between Manchester and London and their busy lives made Rebecca forget her friend for a moment, whom she had known since university. Jolie was a Londoner and lived there.

“Answer me, Becca! Don’t just stay quiet and make me panic!” Jolie snapped impatiently as her friend remained silent.... “Jolie...” Rebecca greeted her in a trembling, hoarse voice. “I am sorry. I... I’ll share my location right now. You can come here, right, Jolie?”

“Sure, Becca.” Jolie’s voice was gentle and sincere, feeling Rebecca’s pain through her voice. “Share your location now. I’ll come to you right away.”

“Shameless! Parasitic leech! Damn slut! Cheap whore!”

Those harsh insults were hurled by Jolie, full of emotion after hearing Rebecca’s story. Her anger flared as she listened from start to finish to her friend’s sudden suffering. She couldn’t believe Rebecca’s fiancé reacted so shallowly-except for Nelson. Having known Rebecca since college, she was well aware of how much affection her friend received from her father.... At that moment, all Jolie could do was scoff, call names, and even swear that those who hurt Rebecca would get payback many times over.

Despite her burning anger, Jolie didn’t forget to give Rebecca a comforting hug as she sat slumped beside her. Her fingers stroked Rebecca’s head lovingly, patting her shoulder gently. She repeatedly assured Rebecca she wasn’t alone, even when everyone she loved abandoned her.

“So, what’s your next plan? You wanna stay here or go?”

Rebecca’s teary eyes looked at Jolie. “I wanna go. I can’t stay here. Daddy will force me to go to Scotland. He’ll do anything to keep me from coming back here and let Rowena take over everything.”

“Where do you want to go?” Jolie asked, rubbing her friend’s shoulder.

“Maybe... London,” Rebecca replied softly.... “Seriously, Becca?” Jolie was so enthusiastic she sat up straight, her eyes sparkling at her friend. “I’m so happy to hear that. Okay! Don’t worry, I’ll always be by your side. We’ll start a new life in London. You’re smart, Becca! You’re not a coward who’ll be crushed by them. Let’s make them regret for life what they did to you.”

For the first time, Rebecca managed a smile. Jolie’s presence and words were the best comfort in her critical state. “I’m planning to open a weight control center there. Yes... a small clinic to start my new life. My savings and inheritance from Mommy are more than enough for that,” she explained her future plans.

“I agree! You have the license, and my mom will help you.” Once again, Jolie encouraged her enthusiastically.... It made sense, since Rebecca held a master’s degree in nutrition, and Jolie’s mother ran a well-known weight loss clinic in London. Jolie herself, an aesthetic doctor, also owned a small beauty clinic.

“You should have done this right after your master’s, Becca! Not switch to your daddy’s company!” Jolie grumbled, pouting. “Anyway, when are you leaving for London?”

“I’ll go today. But before I leave, I want to say ‘congratulations’ to my stepsister.”

Just like Rebecca, Jolie grinned cynically. “Tell me your plan!”

“Since Rowena started this, I just want to mess up the wedding a little. Fair enough, right?” Rebecca said, smiling ironically, full of vengeance.... Jolie nodded in agreement with her friend’s plan. Even without details, she was sure Rebecca would get her revenge in the best way. She couldn’t wait to see it. However, amid their happiness, she grew curious about the man who had slept with and ruined Rebecca’s morning.

“Becca, are you sure you don’t know that annoying guy?” Jolie asked curiously.

Rebecca quickly shook her head. “I don’t know him. I don’t want to find out, because I want to forget all that bad luck.”

Jolie was silent for a moment. “Fine, just forget it. It’s not important. At least now you know Elvis never really knew you, even after all these years together.”

Rebecca said nothing. She only gave a faint smile, her eyes reflecting suppressed pain.

***

His long legs strode impatiently through the lobby of the five-star hotel that afternoon. Glenn was in a hurry to attend the wedding party already underway in the hotel ballroom. He didn’t even care how hard it was for Eric to keep up with him. He was late! He should have arrived two hours earlier. Glenn couldn’t ignore the invitation, as the host was a new partner in his business development project.

All this was Rebecca’s fault. If only that woman hadn’t slammed her rock-hard head into Glenn’s face, he wouldn’t have needed medical attention, let alone several kinds of medication. He also wouldn’t have to endure the pain in his nose at the wedding.

“Damn woman! Just wait until I see you again.” Glenn grumbled.... “Mr. Glenn, we’ve arrived. The man in front welcoming you is the owner of Omega Hospital, Mr. Dalton. His son, the groom, is a surgeon there. And standing next to him is his in-law, Mr. Nelson Clovin, who owns a food company here.”

Eric did his usual job, briefing Glenn on the profiles of everyone he’d meet as they walked. This was crucial to ensure Glenn’s polite and loyal demeanor with his colleagues.

Glenn, grateful for the information, stayed silent, absorbing it all. But his eyes did the opposite, sharply scanning and observing his soon-to-be conversation partners. Through those eyes, he tried to read the characters of those greeting him with meaningful smiles.... “Hello, Mr. Glenn. I’m so pleased to hear you’re coming. Though I was a bit pessimistic you’d show up at first.”

Glenn forced a polite smile at Dalton’s greeting. “I apologize. Something urgent came up that I couldn’t postpone. But the important thing is, I’m here now, Mr. Dalton,” he explained.

“I understand. And... oh, let me introduce my son, Elvis Dalton. He’s a surgeon at our hospital.” Yes, that man was Alfie, Elvis’s father. “You know who he is, right, Elvis?” he prompted his son.

“Who doesn’t know someone as great as you, Mr. Glenn? Vice president and sole heir of Medico Group, the top hospital in Europe. Pleased to meet you... Mr. Glenn Romanov.”

Glenn accepted Elvis’s outstretched hand, smiling confidently at the groom in his white tuxedo.

Not only Elvis, but he also shook hands with Nelson Clovin and the others. Including the bride, Rowena. But their camaraderie was interrupted by a commotion at the entrance. The arrival of a woman in a white t-shirt and jeans caught everyone’s attention, including Glenn, who narrowed his eyes sharply.

The woman screamed, struggling against two burly men gripping her thin arms.

“Why is that woman here? I told you, don’t make a mistake today! Can’t you see? I have important guests today,” Alfie whispered-panicking-to Nelson. “Quick! Get her out of here now!” he continued angrily, glaring at his in-law.

Glenn overheard the whisper, recognizing the source of the commotion. He grew curious and wanted to confirm immediately. Because that person was Rebecca, the wild woman who had hurt his nose that morning. “Who is that woman?” he pressed Nelson, who was now sweating nervously.