Chapter 8. Revenge

“You know, this bag is a limited edition, imported straight from France. My boyfriend really understands and loves me. Well, I’m definitely a very lucky woman, aren’t I?”

Cecilia kept a straight face as she passed by a group of female employees, with Bertha at the center. The viper woman had just spoken louder, as if deliberately to be heard.

To respond, Cecilia stopped walking and pretended to savor the steaming coffee in her cup. Her eyes fixed fully on Bertha, who looked delighted.

“The charm of a beautiful woman can conquer any man’s heart,” Bertha added with a wide, sinister smile.

Cecilia took a slow sip of her coffee, truly entertained by the morning spectacle, even though the conversation was utterly sickening to her ears.

“Just so you know, my boyfriend was willing to dump his old lover to chase after me relentlessly. That’s romantic. Seeing all his efforts to win me over really touched me, and I finally accepted him. That’s why he loves me so much, even giving me whatever I want,” Bertha smoothly spun her lies, disgusting to Cecilia.

“Are you a homewrecker?” asked one of the women listening to Bertha’s boasting.

Bertha chuckled softly, a laugh full of arrogance and scorn. “No, definitely not. I’m beautiful, smart, and attractive. There’s no way I’d steal someone’s man, right? Actually, people throw away what they have just to get me.” Her gaze then landed on Cecilia, locking eyes with full hostility.

Standing where she was, Cecilia silently restrained the storm of emotions inside her. Her right hand clenched the cup tighter, channeling some of her anger.

“I used to have a friend, but she got so jealous of me after I got this new boyfriend. She was jealous because her boyfriend never bought her an expensive bag like mine,” Bertha said with a sly smile that stretched wider. Her eyes were a clear battle flag aimed at Cecilia, who stood frozen stiff.

She thoroughly enjoyed watching the anger flare on Cecilia’s face. She even planned to add more drama so the woman would understand that her place beside Evan was slipping.

Bertha’s hand then moved down, caressing her stomach while her gaze returned to Cecilia, sending a hidden message that there was a seed of Evan inside her womb—though it was a lie, since they always used protection.

Cecilia’s eyes instantly sharpened as she caught the code. That bitch really was a damn slut! she cursed with burning fury. Her breath quickened. The heat from the coffee was nothing compared to the fire blazing in her chest. I’ve probably been too kind just standing here watching that snake act up. Bertha, a filthy slut like you won’t get to enjoy your stolen prize even a bit.

Cecilia then took a step to leave, deciding to return to the pantry.

Seeing her walk away, Bertha deliberately spoke loudly again, “Be careful not to ruin it. That’s an expensive item and there’s only one in the world.”

Cecilia could still hear her and just gave a crooked smile. She walked gracefully toward the pantry, searching for something there. Scissors. She was going to do something with those scissors—to teach Bertha a little lesson.

As she expected, when she returned with scissors hidden in her hand, Cecilia saw Bertha heading to her office. Bertha followed slowly. Luckily, Bertha didn’t notice because Cecilia was busy on her phone.

Bertha carefully placed her dark brown bag—the latest model from a world-renowned brand—on the desk. Then she left the room again.

There was a slight advantage Cecilia had from her friendship with Bertha: she knew Bertha’s habits, including her morning routines before work hours. Bertha usually wandered around somewhere, probably to schmooze here and there.

When the coast was clear, Cecilia pushed open the glass door and entered. Her right hand gripped the scissors tightly, her eyes nearly unblinking. The emotional turmoil roaring inside made her breath quicken.

Then Cecilia strode quickly toward the desk. Her left hand held the bag’s strap, while her right hand positioned the scissors. With rough movements, she began tearing the bag with the scissors, cutting randomly here and there until the expensive bag started to rip apart.

Cecilia laughed inwardly, curious how Bertha would react when she returned and saw her precious—undoubtedly Evan’s gift—bag destroyed. She would wait, continuing to shred the bag until it was utterly ruined.

“What are you doing?” The familiar explosive voice Cecilia had been waiting for finally sounded.

Cecilia stopped cutting, stood upright, and threw a satisfied smile at Bertha. The woman immediately stared wide-eyed at her beloved bag, now torn on the desk, with some contents scattered.

“You’re crazy, huh?” Bertha snapped angrily. Her fury instantly flared, evident from her trembling hands as she reached for Evan’s gift. Her shout echoed, but Cecilia remained calm.

“That’s a warning that your precious thing is too cheap, it makes me want to destroy it completely,” Cecilia said calmly.

“You’re insane!” Bertha yelled, breathing heavily. Her shoulders heaved rapidly while her eyes glared sharply as if ready to launch a nuclear strike at Cecilia.

Cecilia laughed nonchalantly. “You’re the crazy one, bitch,” she hissed sharply. “For a bag that’s already ruined, you’re willing to sell your disgusting body? Oh my God, Bertha, I never thought you were that cheap.”

“Shut up!” Bertha screamed wildly. Her face flushed bright red quickly. “That bag is proof Evan loves me more than you! He gives me expensive things, but not you!”

“I already destroyed the bag, what a pity,” Cecilia replied with the same relaxed, intimidating attitude. Seeing Bertha getting worked up, she felt even more eager to retaliate against the viper’s sharp words. “Used goods deserve used goods.” She began fanning her neck with her hand.

Bertha clenched her fists tightly until they trembled slightly. She snorted scornfully and said, “You still don’t realize, huh? Evan chose me now, he’s in my arms. He always looks for me, even kisses me passionately!”

Bertha’s attack was like a breeze against Cecilia’s solid body. The long-buried pain, disappointment, and anger gave her extra strength to fight back all of Bertha’s actions.

“In other words, he only looks for you for sex. You’re just his escape, Bertha Stone—oops, or more accurately, a damn slut,” Cecilia sneered with a mocking glare.

Bertha felt stabbed repeatedly from every direction after hearing that. Her anger spread through every joint. Unconsciously, she took a step forward to confront Cecilia up close. Her head tilted back proudly, eyes locking fiercely with Cecilia’s furious, shining ones.

“You’re just jealous because Evan dumped you, right? You never even slept with Evan, which means you’re not attractive enough,” Bertha retorted sharply.

Cecilia snorted scornfully, crouching to intimidate. “Evan is just my ex, why would I be jealous? And I’m not as cheap as you, willing to sell yourself for an ugly bag.” A crooked smile appeared.

Suddenly, a slap landed, making Cecilia stagger. Bertha’s strong right hand shocked her. The scissors flew far from her hand.

But Cecilia quickly stood firm again. This time she no longer controlled herself. One slap from Bertha had to be answered with two back. So, lightning-fast, she landed a slap on Bertha’s cheek, sending the woman crashing hard onto the cold floor.

“Bitch!” Bertha screamed furiously. She struggled to get up, giving Cecilia time to reach her and deliver a second slap. The loud smack shattered the tense atmosphere again.

“You!”

“What? You still won’t admit defeat? Still can’t see how pathetic and disgusting you’ve become?” Cecilia sneered.

Bertha was back on her feet. She ran quickly, her hands immediately grabbing Cecilia’s blonde hair. Cecilia tried to defend by pushing Bertha’s body hard, but Bertha had equal strength, fueled by blazing emotions.

The two women engaged in a hair-pulling fight. But Bertha soon found another target. She choked Cecilia’s neck, making her cough as she struggled to breathe. Eventually, Cecilia faltered, and Bertha pushed her taller opponent.

Cecilia staggered before crashing hard onto the floor. Bertha laughed arrogantly, pleased to have knocked her down. But her eyes quickly darted, searching for something.

If Cecilia destroyed her beloved bag with scissors, Bertha would repay her with the same weapon.

Cecilia felt her elbow hurt terribly. Worse, her body hit the door frame, making her head throb painfully. She didn’t notice Bertha stepping closer with scissors in hand.

“Die!” Bertha shouted furiously, raising the scissors aiming for Cecilia’s face. Suddenly, another hand grabbed her wrist tightly.

Both women were startled as a tall, imposing figure approached.

Charles gripped Bertha’s wrist firmly with a clenched jaw. Bertha whimpered in pain and dropped the scissors.

“L-leave ... it h-hurts...” Bertha whimpered, clutching her right hand.

Charles roughly shoved her hand away, making Bertha stagger. Then he glanced at Cecilia, who was already standing again, looking disheveled.

Without a word, Charles grabbed Cecilia’s right hand and hurriedly dragged her away. Cecilia struggled and muttered a few words, drawing attention along the corridor.

“You’re so rough!” Cecilia protested as her body was half-thrown into the front passenger seat.

Charles didn’t respond. The handsome man slammed the door hard, then settled into the driver’s seat beside her. “It’s quite entertaining to see you turn into a wild dog,” he said with a sinister smile.

Cecilia snorted, starting to fix her messy hair. Her head throbbed from Bertha’s hair-pulling and the door frame impact.

“You should have bitten your prey until she was badly hurt or even dead,” Charles continued, leaning back casually, resting his hands behind his head.

“Just a waste of energy!” Cecilia finally replied, though sharply.

Charles chuckled briefly, letting silence linger for a moment. “Is that the woman you mentioned that night?” he asked seriously.

“What do you mean?” Cecilia asked, confused.

“The woman who stole Evan from you.” Charles answered quickly.

Cecilia’s hand froze mid-motion. “How do you know?” she asked unconsciously.

“She was your friend, wasn’t she?” Charles ignored her question and continued. “Cheated on by the fiancé you loved, with his affair being your own friend. You were stabbed by your two closest people. Cecilia, your fate is truly unlucky,” he said mockingly.

Cecilia’s body stiffened, her sharp gaze full of threat and intimidation directed at Charles. Yet, he didn’t seem afraid at all.

“So, it turns out my beautiful bird can turn into a wild dog that bites fiercely,” Charles sneered with a sinister smile on his handsome face.