Pampered After Divorce - Chapter 139: Chapter 139

Marie’s POV
After Hank took down Wesley’s bodyguards for my sake, I felt drawn to him. Hank was a gentleman, but I had always noticed his cold and distant demeanor when he visited Don over the years.
However, when he saved me, I saw a different side of him – one that showed care in his eyes.
I soon realized that Hank's attention was focused on Nora, despite my efforts to catch his eye. Don allowed me into the private room because he appreciated my work, but I couldn't ignore the way Hank kept staring at Nora, even when she didn't acknowledge him.
Initially, I had a crush on Don and went to great lengths to get his attention but, once I understood the situation, I moved on.
With Hank, things were different. He was attractive, wealthy, and single, and it seemed like he was looking for a partner. I was determined to make sure he only had eyes for me.
Despite Nora's apparent lack of interest, I wanted to make it clear that Hank was mine. I sat on his lap after my previous failed attempts at flirting. Nora eventually excused herself, and Hank followed her, with me trailing behind.
When I found Nora, Hank was not with her, but I still felt the need to assert my place.
Confronting her, I said, "There’s something going on between you and Hank." She sipped her drink casually and replied, "And what do you think it might be?"
I probed further, asking if she liked him, but her response was evasive, "What do you think?"
I realized that my competition with Nora for Hank's attention was futile, and I needed to reassess my approach. Working with Don, I have had several conversations with Nora, realizing that I didn't stand a chance if she was interested in Hank, especially since she was a close friend of Molly.
Unfortunately, I never managed to earn Molly's favor due to my initial hostility towards her. Therefore, my only option was to create a divide between Nora and Hank to prevent the outcome I foresaw.
"I believe you should distance yourself from him. Just because you gained some recognition singing with Molly doesn't guarantee that he will value you as he did me," I advised.
"You speak as if you two are in a relationship, but that's not the impression I got," Nora retorted dismissively, sipping on her martini as if my words held no weight.
Leaning in closer, I whispered to her amidst the loud music, "Listen carefully. I have worked closely with Don for years and have had more interactions with Hank than you ever will.
I have also passed Don's test and will be returning to work with him. However, you will continue serving drinks to the drunks, not living out your fantasy of becoming a star."
Unexpectedly, Nora's hand met my cheek with a sharp slap. Her sudden aggression caught me off guard, as she had always appeared composed.
I was about to retaliate when I spotted Hank in the distance and decided to leave with a warning, "I'll make you pay for slapping me."
As I hid among the crowd, I watched Hank take my place and felt a frustrated sigh escape me.
He seemed interested in her, but I was determined not to let it happen, just like how Molly stole Don from me after all my hard work.
There were always troublemakers in every club, so I decided to hire some of them.
They were looking for a woman to have a foursome with, and the only person that came to mind was Nora. Involving her in something like that would ruin her reputation, and Hank would never look at her the same way.
"I'll pay you, but I want something in return," I told them, and they agreed. "As long as she's not a regular, we're in."
It was time to make Nora pay for crossing me. I didn't wait for her to finish talking to Hank; I led the four guys to her on the dance floor.
"That's her," I pointed, and they grabbed Nora. Before she could react, I slapped her hard. "This is what you get for messing with me."
Nora tried to speak, but one of the men covered her mouth, allowing me to slap her again. I then injected her with a mix of aphrodisiac and sedatives, ensuring she wouldn't feel the effects until they took her away.
"She's all yours, boys. Have fun," I said, just as I saw Hank approaching again. Why couldn't he just stay away?
Despite my intentions to set up a camera in the room where they would take advantage of her, one of the men forcefully pulled me back to Hank. My plans failed, and Hank carried Nora in his arms making my blood boil with envy. Perhaps, I should have rather been in a pitiful state than subjecting Nora to it.
According to the black-market seller of the drug, she wouldn't remember anything, but what if she recalls our confrontation?
All I needed to do was escape from here and possibly relocate before the truth surfaced, but Don's involvement made things worse.
"I had an argument with Nora because she was drinking too much. She slapped me, claiming it was her life and she could do as she pleased," I explained.
"I tried to reach out to you, but you were nowhere to be found. Then I saw her with those men. They were trying to harm her, so I went to seek help," I innocently stated, but none of them seemed to believe me.
"You lying bitch," Hank slapped me, causing me to fall from dizziness.
"Hank," Don's voice intervened, but Hank kicked me in the stomach.
"Enough, Hank," Don yelled, showing some concern for me, but it was short-lived.
Zak arrived and lifted one of the boys from the floor. "If you want to survive, tell us what happened."
"We were looking for a prostitute for a foursome, but she claimed she had someone, took our money, and led us to her."
"And you slapped her?" Hank inquired. I pretended to pass out, avoiding facing Don.
"She's the one who slapped the lady twice and injected her with something, maybe a drug," one of the boys confessed.
I wished I possessed some voodoo powers to vanish into thin air. Still, if I am able to survive tonight, then maybe, I would never die again.