"WHAT THE h.e.l.l DID YOU DO, INGRID HOWARD! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE!" Vanessa yelled at Ingrid, she felt that what Ingrid did to Paul gave her an excuse to do as she pleased by hurting her.

So Vanessa darted to Ingrid's direction to give her a sound slap, but as she was in the act of slapping her, Clifford's strong hands stopped her. His face is so fierce and his grip is so strong that it hurts her forearm so much.

"And what do you think you're doing to my future wife, Miss Reiley?"

"Wha – what did you say??!" her hands felt numb, it was painful than the slap Paul received.

"You heard me, Ingrid Howard is my future wife."

"No! You cannot do that! No! Never!" Vanessa shrieked in pain, "it stings let me go!" Clifford loosened his grip as she wriggled from his strong hold.

Paul was struck by Clifford's declaration.

'Am I too late?' Paul could not accept defeat. He made a mistake before surely he could not do it again this time.

"HOW DARE YOU SHOW OFF YOUR FACE AFTER WHAT YOU DID TO ME! JUST THE SIGHT OF YOU DISGUST ME, YOUR NAME IS A CURSE TO ME. YOU ARE THE WORST MAN THAT I EVER MET!"

Ingrid stomped away and left the office without looking back. Clifford was alarmed, he nodded Gary to follow Ingrid.

"Mr. Briggs, I think our collaboration needs a checking. I could not work with that woman! Look what she's done to Paul, this is purely unprofessional!" Vanessa complained.

Clifford did not respond, he should not be hasty in dealing with business partners, this may hurt the company.

"It's okay, Vanessa, I deserved that slap." Paul suddenly spoke up and still touching the part of his face that Ingrid slapped.

"Paul! What are you saying, that's absurd! You've been hit by that woman and you said you're okay with it? You must be insane!"

But Paul ignored Vanessa. "Mr. Briggs, I don't know what to say but I was a jerk earlier that p.i.s.sed off Ingrid,"

"But Paul–"

"Vanessa, I said enough!" the man sneered that makes Vanessa to shut up.

Clifford just observed the two, scrutinizing them their heated argument.

"Mr. Briggs, I think we need to reschedule our meeting. Let's just forget what happened today, am I right, Vanessa?" he s.h.i.+fted his glaring eyes to Vanessa who's still indignant on what happened.

Vanessa realized that she could not accomplish her plan if she will be driven by her emotion. Gritting her teeth, she answered,

"Alright! I guess we need some time to think and consider things before deciding on that matter." She answered and heaved a heavy sigh. She should not be defeated by just a woman who already had a son.

'She is already used and abused. She is nothing compared to me.' Vanessa still held her head high up and refused to be discouraged. "..Clifford is mine alone."

Clifford called his other secretary to reschedule their next meeting. Without delay, he ushered them outside and called Rhona to a.s.sist the visitors. He was itching to go after Ingrid, he wanted to know the truth from her, now!

....

Ingrid walked briskly towards the car park and did not notice that someone is tailing her. Her countenance is visibly red with irritation. When she reached her car she sat down at the driver's seat leaning on the steering wheel for support.

Her mind is in chaos.

"Why now? Why now Paul?" she said as slapped the steering wheel. Her hands are numb but she could not cry. There's no tears left for her to shed.

"No, you don't deserve my tears anymore! You don't deserve me ever since!"

Someone knocked on her car's window. She looked up and saw Gary standing.

"Madam, Young Master wants you to wait for him, he's on his way."

Gary did not leave her side until Clifford came into view minutes after he told her. Ingrid checked Clifford's countenance and she saw no emotion coming from him. She feels anxious by just looking at him.

'What if he'll hurt me? What if he doesn't need me anymore because I embarra.s.sed him?' her fear grew all the more as Clifford approaches her.