After the Affair: Falling into a Billionaire's Arms Chapter 39

She had no desire to see him anyway.

George said nothing more before leaving.

Louisa rose from the bed, draped a light jacket over her shoulders, and opened the window to let fresh air circulate through the sterile hospital room.

In the afternoon, Flora messaged their three-person group chat: [Louisa, what do you want for dinner? I'll bring it over.]

Louisa smiled softly as she replied: [I'm craving one of your hamburgers.]

Sadie responded instantly: [My secret recipe is unbeatable, right? Just wait—I'll make enough burgers to feed an army.]

Flora: [I want your "hamburgers" too], accompanied by a shy emoji.

Sadie: [Gross! What's wrong with you?]

Louisa's smile deepened as she watched their playful bickering. Thank goodness for these two friends who could lift her spirits even in the darkest times.

Soon they returned to their work, and Louisa closed the window, settled back in bed, and picked up a book.

To her surprise, Vivian appeared at her door that evening.

She sauntered in wearing a flirty floral sundress with a matching silk scarf around her neck, hips swaying with each step.

Seeing Louisa lying in bed, appearing weakened, Vivian's lips curved into a smug smile. "Didn't you have enough energy to pin me down and beat me just days ago? Look at you now, bedridden. Do you still have the strength to hit me?"

As she spoke, she casually unwound the scarf from her neck, revealing a trail of unmistakable love bites.

The display turned Louisa's stomach.

"You have interesting tastes, Ms. Price," Louisa remarked with a cool smile. "Picking up another woman's leftovers, enjoying them thoroughly, and then flaunting them? Just how desperate are you?"

"Louisa! How dare you?" Vivian's face flushed with instant rage.

Louisa merely offered a cold laugh.

Even confined to a hospital bed, she refused to dignify Vivian's provocations with genuine concern.

Vivian seethed, but quickly recovered with a malicious smile. "You're jealous, aren't you, Louisa? Look at yourself—you nearly burned to death, and for what? George spent less than a day with you before running back to me."

She leaned closer, voice dripping with venom. "We spent the entire afternoon together. He couldn't keep his hands off me. He told me he's been tired of you for ages—I'm the only one who drives him wild. Would you like to hear how satisfied he sounds when we're together?"

She tilted her chin triumphantly, like a peacock displaying its feathers, looking down at Louisa while awaiting her emotional collapse.

Louisa merely gave her a disinterested glance. "If that's the case, why aren't you at home laying your eggs instead of bothering me here?"

Vivian opened her mouth to retort, but Louisa wasn't finished.

"Oh, I see now," Louisa continued with mock enlightenment. "George has done everything with you—appropriate and inappropriate—but he still hasn't mentioned marriage. You're getting anxious, aren't you?"

The observation struck Vivian like a physical blow, freezing her expression mid-sneer.

Her composure shattered as she jabbed a finger toward Louisa. "If you know what's good for you, you'll get out of George's life yourself. Don't wait until he throws you out—you'll look even more pathetic then!"

Louisa laughed softly. "Honestly, I'm looking forward to that day. Why don't you hurry back and convince him to throw me out sooner?"

She meant every word. This past month had felt like an eternity.

She'd celebrate with champagne if she could escape George even one day earlier.

Vivian, however, heard only mockery in Louisa's response.

She snapped, releasing a shrill cry. "What are you so smug about, Louisa Forbes? Should I tear your face apart right now? Let's see how you'll seduce George then!"

She lunged toward the bed.

Just as she reached Louisa, someone yanked her backward by her hair.

Flora stood behind her, one hand firmly gripping Vivian's long locks, pulling her back with brutal efficiency.

Vivian's scalp burned with pain as she shrieked. "Who—? Let go of me or I'll kill you!"

Flora snorted dismissively. "You? Kill me? Sadie, close the door. This little tramp doesn't know how to behave. No one taught her manners—guess we'll have to do it ourselves."

Sadie nodded in agreement as she shut the door.

Flora released Vivian's hair with a rough shove.

Vivian stumbled backward, opening her mouth to curse.

In one fluid motion, Flora picked up the fruit knife from the bedside tray.

The gesture rendered Vivian speechless, her bravado evaporating. "Flora, don't—don't do anything crazy. My brother won't let you get away with this."

Flora laughed. "How convenient. I've never been afraid of anyone in my entire life."

She toyed with the knife, her smile both alluring and chilling as she advanced toward Vivian one step at a time.

Vivian's eyes fixed on the blade as she retreated until her back hit the wall.

She froze, gaze never leaving the knife.

With a stylish flick of her wrist, Flora used the blade to tilt Vivian's chin upward, examining her face. "I really don't understand. Your face is ugly and stupid-looking—just irritating to look at. What does George even see in you?"

Vivian seethed inwardly but didn't dare speak.

Flora then tapped the flat of the blade against Vivian's cheek, contemplative. "Maybe I should carve a rose here. Might make you prettier. After all, what man doesn't love a flowery woman, right?"

Vivian trembled, her voice breaking. "Please let me go... please..."

"Are you begging me, Ms. Price?" Flora cupped her ear mockingly.

Meanwhile, Sadie and Louisa appeared completely relaxed.

Sadie peeled an orange, offering half to Louisa with a smile. "Watch Flora's signature performance."

"It's been a while since we've seen this," Louisa agreed as they exchanged knowing smiles.

As close friends, they both knew Flora only enjoyed scaring people—she would never actually harm anyone.

But Vivian didn't know that. She was on the verge of a breakdown, convinced her face was about to be carved up.

Just as her terrified scream filled the room, the door swung open.

George stood in the doorway, his voice sharp with authority. "What the hell is going on here?"