Flash Marriage To The Dangerous Billionaire - Chapter 51: Chapter 51

Nelson's eyes gradually turned cold and menacing. He spoke slowly, each word dripping with biting sarcasm, "Didn't know you were such a prize."
"Forget it, Nel. Please don't make things difficult for Dr. Levine. I know she doesn't like me—it's my fault for being too forward. Just let the housekeeper look after me instead," Regina pleaded.
She hurried forward, grabbing Nelson's arm as she pleaded, her tone full of feigned meekness.
Nelson glanced at his watch. Without another word, he turned and strode off.
Clarissa finally snapped, slamming her hand on the table as she stood up.
"Can you stop being so shameless? First, you steal her place, and now, you're here playing the victim—who exactly are you trying to disgust?" Clarissa shot back.
Regina's earlier fragility vanished as she haughtily lifted her chin, eyeing Clarissa's outfit up and down with undisguised disdain.
"Excuse me? Why don't you say she stole my place?" Regina sneered, "Nel and I grew up together. If Hallie hadn't shamelessly wormed her way in while I was gone, I'd be the one married to him now."
Regina turned to Hallie with a smug look. "See? Even if Scott won't let me into the villa, Nel will run to me whenever I call him.
"If you know what's good for you, stay away from him. And if I ever catch you trying to seduce him, you'll regret it."
Hallie lifted her gaze. "So, I heard you've got depression?"
Regina shot Hallie a wary glare. "So what?"
Hallie's piercing gaze seemed to see right through Regina.
"If you're truly undergoing treatment for depression," Hallie said, "then your psychiatrist must have told you—the more aggressive a person acts, the stronger their inner sense of insecurity becomes."
Hallie looked Regina up and down, completely unfazed. "Ever since we met, you've been nothing but hostile—warning me off at every turn.
"Makes me wonder, is it because you've noticed Nelson's feelings for you fading, while he's starting to like me instead? Is that why you're so overwhelmed with insecurity?
"You keep attacking me, thinking that'll somehow make Nelson love you again. But from what I just saw, he doesn't seem all that into you anymore, does he?"
Hallie spoke deliberately, each word striking with surgical precision, hitting every one of Regina's raw nerves.
Regina's face flushed crimson, her delicate features contorted with rage as she ground her teeth, absolutely livid. A wave of panic surged through her.
'I knew it—Hallie is deliberately trying to seduce Nelson, just to spite me.' Regina seethed inwardly.
'If I don't act now, Nelson will definitely fall for her and abandon me completely. Then I'll be forced to watch that smug bitch flaunt her victory by his side, powerless to stop it,' she thought.
"Stop dreaming. Nel loves me—he could never fall for you," Regina shrieked hysterically, completely losing control.
Hallie wasn't convinced Regina actually had depression, but now she was starting to suspect manic and delusional disorders.
Hallie thought, 'I know perfectly well Nelson would never fall for me—not that I could ever like an arrogant bastard like him, either. I can't wait to divorce him, but for now, I'm stuck.
'Who knows—maybe I'll even have to use this marriage to take down Tucker someday. And with Berry Bay in Nelson's hands, I have to find a way to take back some control, no matter what.
'Nelson falling for me? That's just Regina's delusions at work.
'Still, using her fantasies to rattle her and blow off some steam myself sounds like a pretty good idea.'
It was obvious Hallie's words had hit their mark. Seeing Regina so rattled, she didn't mind twisting the knife a little deeper.
She continued, "Look at you—clinging so desperately to a relationship as fragile as a soap bubble.
"So what if you and Nelson grew up together? So what if you were his first love? In the end, he still ended up choosing me. Maybe you just aren't alluring enough, or maybe I'm simply more captivating.
"And now, Nelson and I have already registered our marriage. Sure, it was just for the family's sake, and we're supposed to get divorced in six months. But tell me—do you really think Nelson will be willing to let me go when the time comes?"
Hallie spoke with deliberate calm, each measured word chipping away at Regina's composure, deepening her anxiety.
Clarissa subtly gave Hallie a thumbs-up behind Regina's back, her admiration written all over her face.
"Hallie, don't dream on it," Regina screamed.
"Just wait—I'll prove Nel loves me, not you. He'll kick you out long before six months are up," added Regina.
Regina's chest heaved violently, her face flushed crimson as if she might explode at any moment. Her eyes burned with venomous jealousy and malice.
Seething with barely contained rage, she grabbed her bag and stormed out.
With Regina finally gone, Hallie exhaled slowly, savoring the peace that settled around her.
Clarissa kept her thumb up, reluctant to lower it.
"That verbal smackdown just now? I'd give it a perfect 100," Clarissa exclaimed.
"No need for scores—just order me another serving of beef," Hallie grinned.
Hallie settled back into her seat, picked up the clamp again, and began turning over the meat on the grill.
Clarissa waved over a server to clear away the so-called "luxury couple's set" from the table—she couldn't stand the sight of it anymore.
After lunch, Hallie and Clarissa browsed through clothing boutiques and household goods stores. In the afternoon, they caught a comedy at the movies. After that, they had dinner.
Taking a leisurely stroll along the neon-lit riverside to aid digestion, Hallie and Clarissa soon found it was already ten o'clock. Hallie bid Clarissa farewell, hailed a cab, and headed home.
All things considered, aside from that little drama earlier, today actually turned out to be a pretty wonderful and relaxing day.
Still in high spirits, Hallie stepped into the villa, secretly relieved Nelson hadn't returned yet.
The housekeeper came over and took the shopping bags from Hallie's hands.
"Jessica, could you help me take these to my room?" Hallie asked.
"Sure thing," Jessica replied.
Jessica took a few of the shopping bags from Hallie, though Hallie was still holding several others.
When Jessica peeked inside, she found bedding sets, toiletries, and a few new clothes. She couldn't help but feel a little puzzled.
"Madam, we already have all these toiletries and household items in the villa—except for the clothes. Why bother buying them yourself?" asked Jessica.
Hallie smiled, "I just prefer these brands—it's a personal thing."
'Even if they've got stuff here, it's not mine. Nothing beats using things I bought with my own money,' she thought.
Jessica nodded, asking no further questions, and helped Hallie change the bedding.