Romance With The CEO

Chapter76: Visit 2

It would be so enjoyable that Sandra could not help but smile when the doors opened slowly. A young woman emerged from inside the unit, greeting her.

"Good morning, Velia."

Sandra's joy intensified. The paleness on Velia's face brought its own sense of delight for her.

"Mrs. Hernandez."

Sandra took a step forward, forcing her way in while maintaining a sly smile. "Seems like all this luxury hasn't made you forget who I am."

Velia closed her eyes dramatically. She took a deep breath and closed the door, reluctantly following Sandra.

"It seems the rumors I heard were true."

Sandra glanced around, but the opulence displayed did not impress her; it had the opposite effect. Her sarcastic sneer replaced any hint of admiration.

"You've become someone's mistress," Sandra continued, turning her body to face Velia. "Are you a prostitute now?"

Velia mustered her courage. Sandra's question provided a clear indication to her. Namely, Sandra had no knowledge of the relationship she had with Lucas all these years.

"It's none of your concern, Ma'am."

Sandra laughed out loud, raising her hands to give Velia a silent applause.

"Turns out a life of luxury has made you slightly braver with me, Velia."

"I no longer interfere in your life, Ma'am. So why did you come? Who informed you that I live here?"

Lucas was not the reason for Sandra's arrival, Velia realized that clearly, but that did not mean she was not curious. Who could have known about her presence there?

"It doesn't matter who told me; what's more important is the reason for my visit."

Sandra closed the distance, approaching Velia with an unwavering gaze. With a threatening expression and a cynical smile, she said, "I want you to disappear. I want you gone."

Velia met Sandra's gaze. "Didn't I do that seven years ago? I left when Lucas abandoned me. Just as you ordered, he chose his mother over me."

"So, you know, right? Lucas never truly loved you?"

"Of course," Velia nodded with a bitter smile. "Lucas never loved me seriously. So, what now? Why should I leave again?"

"Why?"

Sandra savored that word with a disgusted look on her face. Her disdain grew more evident, and her expression hardened.

"Why?"

Sandra repeated for the umpteenth time before exploding.

"It's because I can't stand the sight of you. Just the thought of you being in the same place as me is repulsive!"

"May I know? What exactly makes you hate me so much, Ma'am? Even when Lucas introduced me, you immediately turned away."

"I hate you because you will only hurt Lucas!"

Sandra's scream burst out when her emotions became uncontrollable. It felt overwhelming and suffocating. She needed more than just that to unleash everything.

Sandra lunged forward. Her hands rose, and she grabbed Velia's hair without any warning.

"You know?! I would accept a thousand women as Lucas' life partner, but not you! I know that you would only treat Lucas the way George treated me!"

Sandra's shout was barely audible as the pain stung Velia's scalp. Her hair continued to be pulled, and Velia flinched repeatedly. She tried to free herself, but Sandra's grip was strong.

"Let go, please."

Sandra ignored Velia's request. Instead, she pushed Velia's body until it was pressed against the wall.

"Do you know what your father did to me?!"

Velia could not answer as the pain made her grimace. Sandra's pressure kept pushing, leaving her helpless.

"He treated me just like you treat Lucas!"

Sandra's shout was followed by the release of one tug on Velia's hair. Her hand rose, palm stretched taut, and then swung. A slap landed squarely on Velia's cheek.

A loud sound was heard. A scream of pain was stifled in the throat. The pain grew unbearable, and Velia wanted to fight back, but...

Velia bit her lip. Her eyes tightly shut when the pain had to yield to an ironic thought.

Sandra was Lucas' mother. Sandra was the woman who had carried and raised Lucas, the man she loved.

"He treated me very well. He made me feel incredibly valuable. Then do you know what happened next?"

Sandra tightened her grip and shook Velia's head. She stared at Velia with bloodshot, fierce eyes.

"He deliberately made me fall in love just to get a job at my father's company!"

Velia shook her head. A sliver of common sense that remained rebelled. She felt a sense of indignation when Sandra accused not only her but her parents as well.

The faces of her deceased parents filled Velia's mind. George Howell dan Tania Rose Miller smiled in beautiful memories that had been a source of strength for her all this time.

"You don't believe me?!"

"N-no," Velia shook her head with difficulty. "Dad would never do that. Dad loved my mom."

The second slap landed on Velia's cheek. Stronger and more painful, it brought a salty taste to her senses, blood.

"That woman took George away from me!" Sandra screamed in anger. "Even though I am far more perfect than that woman. I am more perfect than Tania! She is not comparable to me, who has everything!"

Velia grimaced. "Let me go, please."

"I don't want you to do the same to Lucas! I know it! You're just like George! You only want my son's wealth!"

"N-no. Dad would never-"

"You have no idea how satisfying it was for me to see George and Tania's faces when we first met. I rejected you outright, and they were ashamed! They were ashamed!"

Flashes of the past appeared in Sandra's memory. The day the two families met was the happiest moment for her. The red faces of Velia's parents were like fireworks exploding in the night sky. Beautiful and unforgettable for Sandra's entire life.

"It was so enjoyable! Finally, I could repay their treatment with the same amount of pain."

The roar of anger, the grip of release, and the repeated slaps brought about a dizziness that left Velia swaying. The pain and agony caused warmth in the corners of her eyes. The resentment for the accusations directed at her parents created drops of wetness.

"Leave Lucas, you bitch! You've become a wealthy whore! Why do you continue to haunt my son's life?!"

The emotions exploded completely. The tightness and heat in Sandra's chest had reached its boiling point. It overwhelmed any semblance of reason, causing her actions to become blindly violent. She continued to assault Velia until she lay helpless on the floor.

"Do you want money? Tell me how much you want! I will give it to you as long as you stay away from Lucas!"

Sandra's hand moved. She let go of Velia's disheveled hair and moved towards her neck.

"M-Ma'am."

Velia groaned. She weakly struck Sandra's hand that was choking her neck. Her mouth opened, and her tongue protruded. Her breath was blocked.

"You should not exist in this world. You have to go. You have to go."

Sandra's eyes turned dark. Velia's struggles meant nothing to her. She was fervent and relentless.

The doorbell rang at the right moment. It managed to stop Sandra's actions. The middle-aged woman froze, as if waiting.

Damn it!

The doorbell rang again. Panic instantly struck Sandra.

Velia did not waste the opportunity. Sandra loosened her grip, and Velia quickly freed herself.

Someone was coming.

Sandra became flustered. She stood up while Velia crawled away from her.

The doorbell rang again. Sandra shook her head in escalating panic. She quickly ran and opened the door, immediately leaving without paying attention to the person she collided with.

"Who is she? Why was she the one opening the door?"

It was Diana who had arrived. According to her daily schedule, she had to clean the unit.

Curiosity furrowed Diana's brow. She was confused but decided to enter without attempting to stop Sandra, who was fleeing.

The door closed. One sight greeted Diana's arrival. It was Velia lying unconscious on the floor.

"Miss!"

*