Blair maintained her composure. “Jessica, like you did, you mean, but then Roman wasn’t the wealthy man he is now. Might I remind you our relationship isn’t any of your business”
“But it is,” Jessica insisted. “You see, Roman and I have history. Deep, complicated history that doesn’t just disappear with divorce papers. We understand each other in ways you never could.”
Blair noticed several people at nearby tables glancing their way. Jessica was speaking just loudly enough to attract attention without seeming to shout.
“Is that why he divorced you?” Blair asked mildly. “Because you understood each other so well?”
Jessica’s eyes flashed. “Our marriage ended because of circumstances beyond our control. We were young. We made mistakes. But the connection is still there…surely you’ve felt it? I’m the only woman Roman has ever loved.”
“The only thing I’ve felt is Roman’s complete devotion to our relationship,” Blair replied. “Jessica, I didn’t come here to argue about the PAST. If you have something to say, say it.”
Jessica leaned back, studying Blair with calculated interest. “You’re not what I expected. Roman usually goes for women who are more… sophisticated. Polished.”
“Like you?” Blair asked, unable to keep the edge from her voice.
“Precisely.” Jessica smiled. “I’m just concerned that he’s rushing into something he’ll regret. That both of you will regret.”
Their food arrived, providing a momentary reprieve from the tension. Blair used the opportunity to send a quick text under the table. Everything was proceeding exactly as she’d anticipated.
“You know,” Jessica continued after the waiter left, “I spoke with Roman recently. He seemed… conflicted.”
Blair raised an eyebrow. “Did he?”
“Mmm. He mentioned how quickly everything was happening. How sometimes he wonders if he’s making the right choice.”
Blair almost laughed. Jessica was so transparent, it was almost sad. “That’s interesting, considering Roman hasn’t spoken to you since that day in his office.”
Jessica’s smile faltered. “We’ve had our private conversations.”
“No, you haven’t.” Blair set down her fork. “Jessica, I know what you’re doing. You’re trying to create doubt, to make me question Roman’s commitment. It won’t work.”
Jessica’s expression hardened. “You don’t know him like I do. You don’t know what he’s capable of.”
“I know exactly what he’s capable of,” Blair countered. “And I know he would never go back to someone who betrayed him the way you did.”
“Betrayed?” Jessica’s voice rose slightly. “Is that what he told you? That I betrayed him?”
“You cheated on him,” Blair said simply.
“It wasn’t that simple!” Jessica was getting louder now, drawing more attention. “Roman was obsessed with work. He was never there. Did he tell you that? I was lonely, and Troy understood me.”
Roman had been very honest with her about his marriage to Jessica. “And yet,” Blair said calmly, “Troy left you too. Interesting pattern.”
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Chapter 86
Jessica’s face flushed with anger. “You little bitch. You think you’ve won? You think Roman is going to be faithful to his secretary? He’ll get bored with you before the honeymoon is over.”
Several people were openly staring now. Jessica was creating exactly the scene Blair had anticipated.
“I think we’re done here,” Blair said, reaching for her purse.
“We’re done when I say we’re done,” Jessica hissed, grabbing Blair’s wrist. “You may have Roman fooled with your innocent act, but I see right through you. You’re nothing but a gold–digger who got lucky.”
Blair stood, extracting her wrist from Jessica’s grip. “Jessica, I came here today out of courtesy. I thought perhaps you genuinely wanted to clear the air. I see you only want to create trouble. Did you try to go to the board members, and that didn’t work? So now you have come to me directly.”
“Sit down,” Jessica demanded. “We’re not finished.”
“Yes, we are.” Blair’s voice was firm. “And for the record, I don’t need Roman’s money. I have my own now. My sisters and I just regained control of our family’s company–a company worth significantly more than whatever settlement you’re still living off from your divorce. But knowing how desperate you are to get back with Roman, I would say there’s nothing left. So who is the gold digger here?”
Jessica stood too, her face contorted with fury. “You think you’re better than me? You’re nothing! Roman will see through you, eventually.”
The restaurant had gone silent, all pretense of privacy abandoned as diners openly watched the confrontation.
“I sincerely hope you find happiness, Jessica,” Blair said, her voice steady. “But it won’t be with Roman. It’s time to move on.”
“You don’t get to tell me what to do,” Jessica spat. “You have no idea who you’re dealing with.”
Blair smiled then, a genuine smile that seemed to throw Jessica off balance. “Actually, I do. And so do they.”
She gestured to the entrance of the restaurant, where Peters stood with two other security personnel. Behind them was a woman in a smart business suit–Ashley, Roman’s lawyer.
“What is this?” Jessica demanded, her voice suddenly uncertain.
“Insurance,” Blair said simply. “I knew you’d try to cause a scene, Jessica. I knew you’d try to threaten me or Roman or our relationship. So I brought witnesses.”
Ashley stepped forward, her expression professional but cold. “Ms. Kingston, I have here a cease and desist order. Any further attempts to contact, harass, or defame either Roman Kingston or Blair Warner will result in immediate legal action.”
Jessica’s face paled. “You can’t do this.”
“We just did,” Blair said. “And before you think about selling any stories to the tabloids, you should know that Roman’s legal team has already prepared a defamation suit. The papers will be filed the moment any article appears.”
“This is ridiculous,” Jessica sputtered. “I was just trying to have lunch!”
Blair shook her head. “No, you were trying to intimidate me. To make me doubt Roman. To create a scene. Well, congratulations—you got your scene. But not the one you wanted.”
Ashley handed Jessica the legal papers. “These include a restraining order. You are to maintain a distance of at least 500 feet from both Mr. Kingston and Ms. Warner at all times.”
Jessica looked around wildly, suddenly aware of the audience watching her humiliation. “You’ll regret this,” she said to Blair, her voice shaking. “Both of you. You fucking bitch.”
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“No, Jessica,” Blair replied softly. “The only person with regrets here is you. And I truly am sorry for that.”
”
Without waiting for a response, Blair turned and walked out of the restaurant, Ashley and Peters flanking her. The moment they stepped outside, Blair let out a long, shaky breath.
“You okay?” Peters asked.
“Fine,” Blair assured him. “Just… relieved it’s over.”
Her phone buzzed with a text from Roman: Well?
It had been Ashley who had convinced Roman to stay away from the restaurant today.
Blair smiled, typing back: Done, Jessica has been served. I think we’ve seen the last of her.
His response was immediate: Proud of you. Come home so I can show you how much.
As Blair slid into the waiting car, she felt as though a weight had been lifted. Jessica might have been trying to paint her as a gold–digger, but Blair had proven she was something else entirely: a woman who could stand her ground.
And with her parents‘ company back in their hands and the wedding approaching, Blair was more certain than ever that she was exactly where she belonged.
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