Chapter 70

OLIVIA

ELIZABETH's story stayed in my mind after our conversation. I was convinced that she was one of the unfortunate women who got smitten by Chase, who had a difficult time winning his heart because of Reese's presence.

I wondered if there were other women, aside from Nathalie and Elizabeth, who held grudges against the ever-missing Reese Jones. Admittedly, meeting these women always puts me in a bad situation. But what more could I do other than be prepared for what would happen next?

I would not be surprised if a woman appeared out of nowhere and claimed she was Chase's ex-girlfriend...

The next day, I woke up with a great feeling. I was so encouraged by my collaboration with Ellie and Elizabeth's agreement to stay on with the project. Mia and I planned to visit Ellie's boutique after class as she would discuss the project thoroughly with us.

I took a bath, ate my breakfast, and prepared for school. Wearing a simple red tank top and cream-colored wide-leg pants, I could not help but smile as I checked my reflection in the mirror. I grabbed my bag and made sure all my books were there, and quickly checked my phone too.

"It's odd. He hasn't updated me," I said to myself when I noticed that Chase hadn't texted or called me. "What a busy bee..."

I shrugged my shoulders and quickened my pace. I went out of the house, and Mathias greeted me right away. We went to the car and then drove to school.

"Is there any update about Chase?" I curiously asked him while sitting comfortably in the passenger seat.

Mathias looked at me through the rearview mirror. "He called last night to check on you, Madame. He's still busy with some stuff in Singapore."

"Why didn't he call me?" My forehead creased.

"He didn't want to disturb you, Madame. It was around two o'clock in the morning when he called, and he said he still had a lot of things to work on," Mathias explained.

I went silent. I understood Chase was so busy because of what his company was facing at the moment, but would it hurt him to spare even five minutes of his time to call me? I crossed my arms against my chest, feeling a bit pissed off.

I thought he'd be home in two days.

That was the only thing that comforted me.

I shoved all the negative ideas aside as I didn't want to ruin my day so early. After almost an hour's drive, we arrived at the university.

I fell in line with other students entering the main gate. While doing so, I decided to check my phone again, hoping to see any texts from my husband. There was a new text message, which lightened my mood a bit, but realizing that it came from Lara, my shoulders sagged immediately.

From: Lara

Have you seen the news? It has spread online and on TV!

My brows furrowed, confused at what she had texted me. Did she mistakenly send this one?

I replied, 'What are you talking about?", and then walked to the gate as the line was slowly moving.

I could not help but look around. There were lots of students coming to the university, and this was the first time I've seen a long line at the entrance.

I noticed some stares from the students and how they whispered something to their peers afterward, but I ignored it. Most people here talk about me because I'm the wife of a well-known Chase Maxwell, and I've grown accustomed to it.

Upon entering, I got more attention than usual. Every person I walked past gave me malicious stares, which I did not like. The whispers continued, and it made me very uncomfortable.

What's going on?

My forehead creased as I walked, trying to ignore them, but wasn't able to do so when I heard a loud whisper from a group of students that was not far away from me.

"It's pretty obvious why Chase Maxwell has a mistress. Look at her. She looks like a wanna be..."

"It's true. Have you seen the woman he is with in Singapore? God, I can't believe he's dating a top notch model!"

"They look good together..."

I stiffened at those words I've heard. What did they say?

I mustered the courage to spin around and look at the three girls talking behind my back. They noticed my stare, and they looked away.

"What the hell were you talking about?" I asked them firmly, but they never answered me.

Instead, they walked past me as if I had never asked them anything at all. I took several deep breaths. I was all too aware that a lot of students were still looking at me and talking behind my back... Was it because of the thing those girls talked about?

My phone chimed. I bit my lower lip in frustration, and checked the text message from Lara.

From: Lara

So you haven't seen it? God, Olivia! Chase is all over the headlines. He was caught going into a hotel with a woman! Look at the pic I will send you right now!

My breath hitched upon reading her text. I stayed speechless and couldn't seem to process the situation she just told me.

There was no way Chase would go into a hotel with another girl. He wasn't that kind of a man. He loves me— Reese... He would never do such things that would only ruin his marriage.

I felt a throbbing pain inside my chest as soon as I received the picture Lara had sent me. Chase had clearly seen in an open elevator with none other than...

Nathalie Smith

I felt as if a pail of cold water was poured into me, which made me tremble. Both of my knees went jelly and my chest tightened. It was as if there was a big stone blocking my lungs, and at this point I wasn't able to breathe properly.

So the reason why he didn't contact me yesterday was that he was busy with another woman. Was this the work" he meant when he fled to Singapore?

I gasped heavily, trying to collect my thoughts and hold my tears as I didn't want to cry in front of so many people who were ready to judge me as a pitiful and ignorant wife. My hands were shaking so badly when I turned off my phone and put it back in my bag.

I gathered all my strength and walked towards the building for my first class, not minding all the people who gossiped about me. I swallowed hard and reminded myself that I needed to focus my attention on my studies. Whatever it was that Chase wanted to do in Singapore, it was his call.

I entered the classroom and saw my classmates circling in the corner and talking about an obvious topic. They stopped when they saw me walking in and sitting at my desk. I leaned my back against the backrest of my chair and took my book out of my bag.

I tried to advance my reading, but I didn't understand even a single thing. The picture of Chase and Nathalie stayed on my mind as if it was trying to mock the sh*t in me. Hot tears formed on both sides of my eyes, but I blinked them away when I heard the familiar voice of Mia, who had just entered the room.

"Reese!" She called me and sat in the chair next to me. "Are you alright?"

"I am," I replied quickly, my gaze fixed on her. "Why wouldn't I?"

She frowned and looked at me with such worry behind her eyes. That made me aware that she had learned about the news regarding my husband. I looked away and focused on the book on my desk.

"Have you... uhm, have you seen the news?" She asked me carefully.

I smirked inwardly. Why would everyone ask me the same question?

"What news?" I asked and flipped to the next page.

"I mean, about Chase... Did he call you to clear things up? I had a feeling that the news articles circulating aren't true..."

I inhaled heavily and looked at her again.

"I don't really have time to worry about the news regarding my husband, Mia. I trust him," I said, not only trying to convince Mia but myself that I should trust Chase no matter what the situation was.

"But did he call to explain himself?"

"He will call, Mia. That's for sure," I replied, and gazed back at my book again.

At the back of my head, a big part of me was already screaming and couldn't accept the fact that Chase hadn't even tried to call to clear his name.

I'm going crazy... Why would he go into the hotel with Nathalie?

Did they share a room?

What else did they do there?

Even though I didn't want to, I couldn't help but be disappointed in his actions. And if the news were true that Nathalie was his mistress, then my heart would be crushed into pieces.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Mia asked me once again.

"I'm fine, Mia." I didn't mean to sound irritated, but it came off that way.

She was about to say something, but then the professor came in. I was thankful that the class had finally started, and they stopped talking about me and Chase...

****

THE RUMORS about Chase having a mistress did not stop even after the entire class for the day. I could have sworn I was so sick of hearing how people favored Nathalie Smith instead of Reese Jones and seemingly liked the idea of infidelity.

I swallowed every word they made me hear, as obviously they didn't like me.

Chase not trying to contact me added to the anger I felt. I was on the verge of exploding inside, but I made sure I looked calm outside.

"Would you like to reschedule our meeting with Ellie?" Mia asked as we walked our way towards the main gate.

"No." I shook my head. "I think it's not going to take that long, so we should attend."

Mia stared at me with a worried look on her face. She tried to talk to me about the rumors, but I never spared a minute to talk about it. The only person I wanted to talk to regarding it was Chase. He was the only one who could give me answers to all the freaking questions whirling around my mind.

And if there was one person who could see me exploding, it was him.

Mathias was waiting in the parking lot. I let out a huge sigh as we approached the car. When he noticed me, his gaze suddenly lowered.

"We'll go to Ellie's boutique," I said coldly.

"Got it, Madame." He got up right away and opened the door for the passenger seat.

Mia hopped in while I remained standing next to the car, staring at him.

"Please get in, Madame."

"Are you aware that your boss's name is all over the news?" I asked.

I noticed him swallowing so hard. He glanced at me but quickly looked away.

"You are," I said, stating the obvious. "Did he contact you while I was in class?"

"No, he didn't, Madame."

I grinned and shook my head.

"Cool..." I said, my voice sounding sarcastic.

I got into the passenger seat to join Mia. Mathias closed the door and went to the driver's seat. He became uncomfortable around me, and all I could do was shake my head. I wasn"t sure why I had this feeling that he knew something about my husband, while I remained so f*cking ignorant.

Whatever it is Chase is doing behind my back, I swear I need some answers directly from him. I couldn't wait for him to go home, and so I could let out all these emotions that had been eating me up.