The Ex-Wife's Triumph novel Chapter 179

Kingsley ignored Joyce entirely. He released her hand, his gaze sharp as a blade. "Was I not clear enough last night?"

Joyce's nose stung, her eyes reddening with grievance. "She hit me! Can't you see that?"

"He must be blind," Lucy said, pulling a wet wipe from her bag. She cleaned her hands with visible disgust and tossed the wipe onto the table. "Joyce, easy on the foundation next time. It's thick as a mask. Looking at it gives me the creeps."

Lucy turned on her heel and walked away.

Kingsley watched the disheveled Joyce, his voice devoid of warmth. "You brought this on yourself. Go back where you came from." He added a warning. "Joyce, do not seek her out again. You cannot afford the consequences."

He turned and strode after Lucy. Joyce reached for him, but her fingers only grazed his sleeve.

Watching his retreating back, Joyce finally broke. A piercing wail tore through the café.

A waiter rushed over with tissues, polite but firm. "Frau, hier ist ein öffentlicher Raum, Lärmverbot!" (Madam, this is a public space, noise is prohibited!)

Joyce sobbed, arguing back, "Ich bin traurig, darf ich mich denn nicht einmal austoben?" (I am sad, am I not allowed to vent?)

The waiter looked pained but insisted, "Entschuldigen Sie, Frau, bitten Sie um Verständnis, dass Sie Ihre Emotionen etwas unter Kontrolle bringen." (Madam, I understand, but please try to keep your emotions in check.)

Outside, Kingsley quickened his pace, catching up to Lucy. "I made it clear to her. She won't trouble you again."

Lucy didn't stop, a cold smile touching her lips. "Mr. Sherwood has his priorities mixed up. Your Joyce is still inside crying."

Back at the temporary office, Kingsley barked an order at Xavier. "Have someone watch Joyce. Don't let her near Lucy again."

"Yes, Mr. Sherwood."

Left alone, Kingsley slumped into the leather chair, rubbing the armrest. He couldn't figure out how to stop Lucy from rejecting him so violently.

His phone vibrated. It was Ethan.

Kingsley frowned but answered.