Chapter 3A Muse to Astonish the World

Just then, my mother called.

"Kathy, darling, your grandmother misses you. Can you come to the estate for a visit soon?"

Grandmother's health had been declining for years, and Warwick and I made a point to visit whenever we could. With my latest exhibition just wrapped up, my schedule was clear.

"Of course," I said cheerfully. "Warwick and I will come together."

The night before our trip, however, Warwick called. "Kathy, I'm so sorry. There's an urgent merger at the company. I have to fly to Zurich immediately. I won't be able to go with you."

His voice was thick with apology. "I've already prepared the nutritional supplements for Grandmother, don't forget to take them. I promise I'll make time to see her as soon as this project is over."

Work had always been our priority. "Alright," I said, understanding.

Back at the family estate, I was strolling with Grandmother through the nearby botanical gardens when she suddenly pointed into the distance. "Kathy, look. Doesn't that man look a bit like Warwick?"

My heart sank. I followed her gaze.

It was him.

Even from the back, I recognized the cashmere coat from the photo he’d sent me that morning. Beside him, Luna Jiang leaned in affectionately as they stood before easels, seemingly sketching the scenery.

I forced the rage down, laughing lightly. "Grandmother, your eyesight is getting worse. He's on a business trip in Zurich. How could he possibly be here? The wind is picking up, let's go sit in the teahouse up ahead."

Once I had Grandmother settled, I sent my live location to Warwick.

Then I called him.

"Warwick. You have three minutes. Get here now."

His voice on the other end was surprised. "Kathy? What are you doing nearby?"

I laughed, a sound devoid of humor. "I should be asking you that. Aren't you supposed to be in Zurich?"

He stammered. "Luna… she was having creative block, and today is her birthday, so I brought her out for some inspiration…"

"Shut up," I snapped. "Get to the location I sent you. Immediately."

He refused outright. "Kathy, I'm the one who brought her here. I can't just abandon her. You and Grandmother go on ahead. I'll explain everything when I get back tonight."

"Warwick, if you are not here in three minutes, you will face the consequences."

Before I could finish, he hung up.

When I tried to call back, his phone was off.

A moment later, Luna's social media feed updated.

[Someone said they'd block out the whole world just to look at the scenery with me~]

The accompanying photo was of Warwick's back as he held a delicate paper umbrella over her head.

I was trembling with fury. I opened my chat with Luna.

"Have Warwick call me back in the next three minutes, or you will both regret it."

The message was met with silence.

Three minutes passed. Nothing.

I didn't hesitate. I called my assistant. "Terminate all cooperation with Luna Jiang. Immediately."

Then, I screenshotted Luna's post and uploaded it to my own account.

[Husband lies about a business trip to take his sponsored student on a 'creative retreat,' then blocks his wife's calls. Thoughts?]

The post exploded.

[What is happening? Isn't Mr. Vance supposed to be the perfect doting husband? Is this real?]

My feed blew up with comments and shares.

Soon, Warwick's name was flashing on my screen, call after call. I declined and blocked his number.

The next morning, Warwick's parents dragged him to my door.

The second they were inside, his father's foot shot out, kicking him hard. "You disgraceful whelp! You've dragged the Vance family name through the mud!"

His mother, trembling with rage, slapped him squarely across the face.

They continued to berate and hit him right in front of me. When they had vented enough, his mother turned to me, her tone shifting. "Kathy, Warwick was just momentarily foolish. There's really nothing going on with that girl. Don't take it to heart."

His father kicked him again. "Get on your knees and apologize to Kathy!"

Warwick dropped to his knees with a thud. When he looked up, his eyes were bloodshot. "Kathy, I was wrong. I swear I'll never contact her again. Please, just forgive me this once."

Looking at his pathetic state and the sincerity in his eyes, I couldn't bring myself to throw away our entire relationship.