The Resilient Lady Collins

Chapter 44: Garden of drama (3)

"Thank you," Scarlet said, taking a glass of juice Ian took from a passing maid for her. "You are not having one for yourself? The weather is a bit warm so you should drink something even if it is just water."

"I drank plenty before I went for you so I will drink when needed. Why are you staring at it like that? Are you afraid someone tampered with it?" Ian questioned, watching as Scarlet moved the cup in a circular motion. "Have you suspected someone of messing with your drinks before?"

"Plenty of times," Scarlet answered. "I have to be careful. A few greedy people are looking to kill me."

"You drank the tea I prepared for you without any suspicion. Well, not that I saw," said Ian.

"I am not paranoid everywhere I go it’s just when I get around some familiar faces. The juice is fine," Scarlet said, taking a small sip of it.

She didn’t want now to be the moment Ian learned just how much she was watching out for her relatives who wanted to harm her. This day was about him seeing his family not about her family problems.

"You still seem suspicious of it. Let me have a taste. We can die together if there is something wrong with it. Do you want me to test it or not?" Ian asked as Scarlet moved the cup from his reach.

"I don’t want your blood on my hands." freewёbnoνel.com

"So the murderer does have a heart. I can’t stand here with you swirling that cup around so give it here," Ian said, holding out his hand for her to give in.

"Suit yourself," Scarlet replied, handing the cup over to Ian. "I already tasted it and it is not as sweet as you think to die together. I apologise in advance," Scarlet said, watching as Jack neared them.

"Scarlet, I’m surprised to see you here. Last we spoke about this party you had no plans to attend," Jack said, his gaze fixed on Scarlet. He and many others present could not ignore her beauty. It wasn’t that long ago that he was the one standing beside her, smiling as men envied him.

Beth stood confused as she didn’t understand why Jack had led her to speak with Scarlet when he was the one to say that she should stay away from Scarlet. What was he thinking going to Scarlet? Did he want to put on a show like they were cordial?

Beth didn’t like it as Jack should have still been angry about the fall. He should be accusing Scarlet of trying to harm a pregnant woman right now instead of speaking of whether she was going to attend this party in the past.

Why was it that he got to speak to Scarlet as he liked while she was meant to stay away?

"There was plenty of time for me to change my mind. I don’t know what kind of scene you are trying to paint here, but I want no part in it. Leave me and return to where you stood before," Scarlet said as this small talk was unlike them. She had no plans to put on a show like she got along with Jack or was pleasant with Beth.

"Cold as always. You won’t get any warmth from her," Jack warned the man beside her. The Scarlet he knew was always like this. Not wanting him so close to her. Still, it bothered Jack that he had witnessed Scarlet allow this man to walk with his hand settled around her waist.

"I disagree," Ian said, taking a sip of the juice. He then handed it back to Scarlet as there was nothing odd about the taste. "It seems safe."

"Like I said," Scarlet replied, holding the cup.

Jack stared at the cup in Scarlet’s hands knowing that she wouldn’t think of drinking from it now. She wouldn’t as it was impossible for her to be in that kind of a relationship with anyone so soon. She couldn’t be intimate with anyone else. Not when she wouldn’t allow him the pleasure of touching her.

"This is uncomfortable. We have spoken and now you can go," Scarlet said as she wouldn’t be leaving the spot she picked out. She wasn’t going to be running around parties trying to get away from Jack or Beth.

Those two needed to use whatever sense they had to walk away.

"You didn’t listen to my-"

"You act as though you still want her," Ian said, his words interrupting the conversation between the former couple. He enjoyed how Beth’s eyes opened wider as if this was what she feared most in the world. "I’d hate to think after what you did you think there’s still a place for you. I’ve taken up that space and so much more."

"You," Jack said, letting go of Beth’s hand to step to Ian. "Stay out of this. I am speaking to my wife." freeweɓnøvel.com

"Ex-wife," Ian corrected Jack. "That is why she is here with me. With how angry you are about Scarlet, I would think twice about getting married to you," he said, glancing at Beth. "But then so many are desperate for wealth or status that they put up with anything."

Ian held Scarlet’s hand and guided her behind him to be out of sight from Jack. It annoyed Ian that he could sense there were some lingering feelings for Scarlet in Jack’s eyes. It was all about jealousy as Jack might have never believed Scarlet would have moved on so fast.

Ian started to fold the sleeves of his shirt as Jack moved like he could swing at any moment. The shirt he wore today was one that he liked so he’d hate to ruin it with the blood of a fool. "I try to be a gentleman at parties but if you want to fuck around, let’s see how this ends."

"Jack," Beth whined, tugging on his arm to get him to stop. Jack had to be out of his mind for looking to pick a fight with this man. Those around them might think he was jealous and fighting over Scarlet. Did he want her to be the joke of this party? "We must go. I hope that you can move on now Scarlet as it is evident you had a lover all along."

Scarlet’s opinion of Beth’s common sense decreased as Beth was going too far with her assumptions. She had been seen with Ian weeks after her divorce was announced but of course, Beth would ignore the truth to make her position better.

Jack stayed still, not wanting to fight Scarlet’s lover when the man looked so eager to fight him. Was this truly who she was going to settle for?

Jack gritted his teeth as his anger grew. He couldn’t just leave her. "You tried to harm my baby. Are you so hurt that she was able to have a child instead of you that you would hurt an innocent life? Do you truly not have a heart?" He questioned, his voice loud enough to gather attention.

Scarlet couldn’t believe how low Jack was going to accuse her of wanting to harm a pregnant woman. He had insulted her many times since she stated she wanted a divorce but this was a new low Jack was reaching. It seemed that since he started to cheat Jack had started to lose his mind or his sense.

Ian’s laughter further angered Jack as what could possibly be funny about harming a child?

"Honestly, why did she ever agree to marry you? That’s the one thing I can’t understand about Scarlet. I was there that night and the terrible actress beside you caused that fall. Don’t go throwing around accusations because you’re jealous. Have you ever stopped to think that maybe you failed to do your part in creating a child?" Ian teased.

"I have a child now," Jack replied, smiling as the attack fell short. It was clearly Scarlet who had a problem with conceiving.

"Do you?" Ian questioned, looking at Beth. "She happily cheated with you. Who is to say she never did it with anyone else? Cheaters rarely change after they get started."