Chapter 5
As Jessica left the conference room, heading to her office, she foamed in anger, imaginary smoke puffing out of her ears. Her heels struck the hallway floor with venomous clicks. The nerve of him. The audacity of Spencer King.
"Miss, I think this is a better way for you to grow your ability and stance in this company," her secretary said softly, walking behind her with quick steps.
"Call to check on Mr. King's assistants. Let's know what time he will be free this evening for the meeting," Jessica instructed sharply as she entered her office, her voice clipped.
The secretary nodded and turned on her heels, leaving with her tablet in hand.
A few minutes later, she returned. "Miss, I've contacted his assistants. Mr. King will be free by 3 p.m. this afternoon, and the contract will be signed at the Deluxe Bar, VIP room 3605," the secretary reported.
Jessica nodded curtly. "Alright. Leave."
As the door closed behind her, Jessica exhaled heavily. There was no need to be flustered. It was just a one-night stand… a mistake. Her mistake. That night should never have happened, and it certainly shouldn't affect business.
And then there was Chelsea.
Jessica's fists clenched involuntarily. She hadn't settled the score with that woman yet.
By 3:00 p.m. sharp, Jessica was already at the bar. She checked in at the front desk to confirm if Mr. King had arrived, but the pattern of answers remained negative.
She waited.
3:20 p.m. ticked by.
Still no Spencer.
Leaning slightly against the entrance column of the bar, Jessica's patience wore thin. Her heel tapped impatiently against the marble floor. Just as she was about to check the time again, a sleek luxury car pulled up to the curb.
And out stepped Chelsea Kelly.
Instantly, Jessica Cooper's face lit up with a dangerous smile as she stepped forward in her 4cm heels. Fate had delivered her prey.
"I guess fate brought you right here," she said coldly.
Chelsea Kelly slowly turned around. Her body went rigid. She tried to act casual, lips tugging upward weakly.
"Hey, Jess…"
Jessica stared directly into her eyes, emotions swelling, flames of anger burning fiercely within her. All the pain, all the humiliation—boiling to the surface.
"I know you're angry with what happened that night, but that's just the beginning," Chelsea muttered, attempting defiance.
Jessica didn't wait another second. Her hand swung, landing a powerful slap across Chelsea's face. The sound cracked through the air like a whip.
Chelsea stumbled backward, her head twisting at an awkward angle, and she collapsed to the ground.
Gasps filled the air. Passers-by, those entering and exiting the bar, paused in shock and started gathering around, whispering eagerly, drawn by the unfolding drama.
Chelsea sat stunned, hand flying to her stinging cheek. She had underestimated Jessica—she never thought she'd strike in public. Embarrassment bubbled in her chest, but before she could collect herself—
Jessica stepped closer, seething. "I know you're angry with me? You? Michael broke up with me because you set me up! You made sure he caught me 'cheating.' That was your entire plan!"
She raised her voice so that everyone could hear.
"She's a loose woman!" a voice muttered in the crowd.
"Why is she blaming this poor girl for her relationship problems?"
"Look how she's dressed. She's clearly got someone backing her up."
Accusations flew, some pitying Chelsea, others accusing Jessica. But Jessica saw no one else. All she could see was her.
"I really don't understand why you keep blaming me," Chelsea replied, trying to play innocent.
Jessica didn't hesitate—she grabbed Chelsea by the hair and delivered two more hard slaps.
"How could you be so heartless? Do I really need to remind you what you did?!"
Chelsea suddenly let out a mocking laugh, too quiet for anyone else to hear. Her lips curled close to Jessica's ear. "So what if I did something so heartless? Jessica, if you have the guts, go ahead. Do your worst. Otherwise, I promise you'll regret this."
Jessica's last shred of self-control snapped.
Fury ignited inside her like wildfire.
She launched at Chelsea.
Chelsea fought back, grabbing Jessica's hair.
"Let me go, bitch!" Chelsea yelled.
"Oh, I thought you were innocent?" Jessica snapped, clawing at her shoulder.
More onlookers circled them.
"Call the police!" someone shouted. "If this keeps up, someone's going to get hurt!"
"Call the police!"
As sirens wailed in the distance, Chelsea tried to escape.
Jessica grabbed her by the wrist, yanking her back.
"You're trying to run now?!"
Moments later, a police car screeched to a halt, and two officers stepped out.
"What's going on here?" one of them barked.
The crowd chimed in with explanations.
"She just started hitting the other girl!"
"We all saw it! She was the one who hit first!"
The officers approached Jessica and grabbed one of her arms.
"You're coming with us."
"Let me go! Let me go!" Jessica twisted and shouted, but the officers were firm.
They dragged her toward the car. Chelsea was already seated inside, stunned by the crowd and hiding her face in shame.
As Chelsea stepped into the car, she quickly dialed her family lawyer.
A short distance away, inside a sleek black Rolls Royce, Spencer King sat, watching the entire scene from behind tinted glass.
He squinted slightly, an unreadable look in his eyes.
"Sir, should we help Miss Jessica out?" his assistant asked.
"For what reason?" Spencer replied coldly, tossing the words like coins. His face remained calm as ever.
At the police station…
Two officers sat at their desks while Jessica and Chelsea sat across from them—silent.
The officers kept asking questions, but neither woman replied.
Are all rich women this stubborn? one officer thought.
"My lawyer is on his way," Chelsea finally said, crossing her arms.
The police officer flipped through the preliminary report.
Jessica sat upright in the metal chair, jaw locked, her eyes glued to the officer.
"Excuse me. When can I leave?" she asked finally.
The officer looked up from the file. "Miss, do you really think you can leave after publicly assaulting someone?"
Across the room, Chelsea smirked, basking in Jessica's predicament.
"You assaulted someone in public, and there's plenty of evidence and witnesses," the officer added. "As someone of your standing, you should know better than to break the law. You're looking at ten days in detention."
Jessica's expression darkened.
But she remained calm.
"I request a stay of the administrative detention," she said evenly.
The officers exchanged glances.
"That's possible," one replied.
Jessica's heart relaxed, just a little. "How long until I can leave?"
"For six hours."
Chelsea's lawyer arrived soon after. As she stood up to leave, Chelsea bent over toward Jessica and whispered in her ear, "This is just the beginning."
Jessica smiled back, her eyes like fire. "Bring it on."