The Doormat Wife’s Ultimate Glow-Up novel Chapter 14

The car window slid down, and Sebastian’s chiseled profile caught the sunlight. He glanced over the gossiping crowd outside. “What’s all the commotion about?”

Lyla gave him a sweet, almost fawning smile. “Hello, Mr. Ratcliff. We were just talking about this chick who’s been trying every possible way to get into the institute lately.”

“She actually married well, but she still goes behind her husband’s back and cheats. Don’t you think that’s just too much?”

Sebastian’s brows knit together. “Dominic would let someone like her into the institute?”

“Exactly. No one can figure out what he is thinking these days.”

After a moment, Lyla leaned a little closer. “Mr. Ratcliff, since you and the professor work together, could you maybe say something? Get her out of the institute?”

Sebastian’s gaze shifted to Sofia. “I’ll talk to Dominic when I get a chance.”

—

Across town at Maple Street Diner, Reese and Millie grabbed a table in the busy main hall. It was a last-minute lunch, so they hadn’t bothered with a reservation.

Millie reached into her bag and slid a bank card across the table. “Here. It’s your share of the profits.”

“I know things were rough for me before, and you always helped out for nothing. This time, you have to take it.”

She paused, eyes shining. “My husband’s back from the army. We’re thinking about starting our own business. I’m going to need your help again soon.”

Reese saw how much it meant to her and took the card. “Of course, I’m so happy for you.”

They were still catching up when Sofia walked in with a group behind her.

Lyla made a big deal of looking around, looping her arm through Sofia’s. “You’re something else, Sofia. This is my first time in a Bentley and wow, it’s next level.”

“And Mr. Ratcliff is impressive, too. I heard you have to book a private room here a month in advance, but today we just show up and there’s one ready.”

Sofia just smiled. “He has his own suite here, up on the top floor. It’s always available.”

Lyla looked genuinely jealous, mumbling, “You really hit the jackpot with him.”

She didn’t bother to keep her voice down, and a few people started to glance over.

Millie recognized Sofia right away and her face soured. She muttered under her breath, “Great, just what I needed. Why do we keep running into her?”

Her voice was sharp. “Well, Reese, out for lunch with a friend?”

“Did you overhear us saying Mr. Ratcliff brought us here to celebrate? Are you that jealous of Sofia that you want to bump into Mr. Ratcliff yourself?”

“Honestly, have you no shame?”

Millie stood up and stared Lyla down. “Watch your mouth!

“I’m treating my friend to lunch. Mind your own business.”

“Not surprised, really. Anyone who hangs out with Sofia is probably just as bad,” she added.

Lyla snapped back, “And who do you think you are, talking about Sofia like that? Her boyfriend is the heir to Ratcliff Global.

“If you cross her, you’ll never work in Bridger Lake again.”

Millie crossed her arms. “Wow, her boyfriend’s that powerful, huh?

“But do you even know that Mr. Ratcliff is already married? She’s just the other woman.”