Page 30 of Obsessing Over His Favorite
“Stop interrupting,” Jeremy grumbled, taking another sip. “I don’t know all the details, but during the project launch party—a big event with investors—you made a scene. You publicly accused Amelia of stealing designs from ‘Empress.’ Empress is a huge international brand, right? So by accusing Amelia, you basically said she stole from them and sold the designs under her own name.”
“Oh my gosh, really?” Emily whispered.
Jeremy nodded. “When I saw the news all over social media, even I was surprised. You’ve always been the one to keep Lucas’s head held high—helping him in every way possible. So for you to publicly call out his lead designer as a thief? That was a huge deal.”
“If she was a thief, that’s the only reason I would’ve called her that,” Emily said firmly. “I’m not one to make false claims just for fun.”
“Yeah, I figured as much,” Jeremy said. “You’re not the type to make mountains out of molehills. I’ve known you for years, and Lucas was with you for five years. But that man… I always knew he wasn’t good enough for you.”
Emily’s eyes narrowed. “What happened next?”
Jeremy took a deep breath, leaning back. “You can probably guess. You warned Lucas, told him about Amelia’s lies, reported it—but Lucas got furious. He accused you of spying on Amelia, badmouthing her out of jealousy. Then—boom—you got fired from your own boyfriend’s company.”
Emily raised an eyebrow, shocked. “He fired me?”
“Yep. The very same day.” Jeremy shook his head, disbelief etched across his face as he took another sip of his soda. “The scandal spread fast across the industry—saying you were fired because you were jealous of Lucas and Amelia’s relationship. And because you lost that job, Amelia got solid ground to dismiss your claims about stealing designs from Empress.”
Emily gasped, slamming her hand on the table so hard people nearby glanced over. Jeremy jumped, startled by the noise, but Emily kept going.
“What a bastard! He’s my boyfriend—and he’s backing another woman? Supporting another woman over me? Even fired me? No wonder there’s nothing in my bank account. Turns out I’ve been wasting my time and brain on Lucas and his mistress. When the hell will I get to save anything if all I do is worry about him screwing me over instead of my damn finances?”
Jeremy burst out laughing, soda almost slipping out of his mouth. Emily gave him a disgusted look, and he quickly grabbed some napkins to wipe it off.
Just then, someone bumped into their table hard enough to jiggle it.
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” came a familiar voice, making Emily flinch. Her face twisted in disgust before she even dared to look up.
“What are you doing here?” Amelia muttered, the shopping bags in her hands jiggling as she glanced between Jeremy and Emily. Then she gasped.
“Oh my God, you’re still dating him? Hasn’t Lucas made it clear you’re supposed to stay away? And yet, you’re still sneaking around to meet him?”
Jeremy scowled. “What’s it to you? Walk away, woman.”
Amelia rolled her eyes dramatically, then turned fully toward Emily. “I know you’re desperate to get Lucas’s attention, but this isn’t fair to him—going on dates with another man while making him think you’re still his girlfriend. I already gave him to you after you stole him from me, but I can’t watch you keep cheating on him.”
Emily’s brow rose sharply. “Istolehim from you?”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to—” She glanced around nervously as a few people nearby started watching. She quickly hid her smirk behind her hand and forced her face back into a pitiful, innocent expression.
“You can’t get far in life like this. If you’re already cheating on the man you’re calling your boyfriend, how do you expect to live a life as a woman who sleeps around? After you get married, don’t you think your husband will expect a woman who’s chaste, not one who sleeps with every man she meets once she steps outside the house?”
The next second, a loud slap echoed through the café.
Emily’s hand connected hard with Amelia’s cheek.
Amelia’s smug smile vanished instantly, replaced by shock and pain as her face burned from the sting. She stumbled but caughtherself, then collapsed dramatically onto the floor, clutching her face and stomach with a loud cry.
“Help! Someone, please help! This woman hit me! She’s trying to hurt me!”
Within minutes, mall security arrived and helped Amelia to her feet.
“Call the police! I want her arrested for assault!” Amelia whimpered, still clutching her cheek.
One guard tried to calm the situation. “Maybe the lady can apologize and we can deescalate this—”
“No! Call the police! Don’t you understand?!” Amelia snapped sharply, losing her gentle tone for a moment before turning back to Emily. “You’re clearly cheating on Lucas and now assaulting people? Do you really think you deserve someone like him? You’re not worthy.”
Emily rolled her eyes and shot back, “I’m dying to break up with Lucas. You can have him—all yours. Just wait. Once that damn man agrees to end it, I’ll be out of his life faster than Usain Bolt ever ran a race.”
