Chapter 81: I’m not punishing you.

Words : 1231 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

Chapter 81: I’m not punishing you. Anne stared at Gustave, still processing his unexpected plea. He wasn’t just asking for her forgiveness—he was asking for punishment, as if enduring some kind of consequence would ease the weight of his guilt. His remorse was evident in the way he stood, shoulders tense, gaze lowered, waiting for her verdict. He wasn’t saying it just to appease her; he truly meant it. But did she even want to punish him? A sigh left her lips, and she shook her head. "I’m not punishing you. Just let this go. I’ll pretend I never heard anything." Gustave looked up at her, his expression darkening with guilt. "I know you’re still upset with me. You won’t accept my apology. Fine. But please, tell me what I can do to make you feel better. I’ll do anything you ask." Anne let out a short, sarcastic scoff. "Really? You say you’ll do anything I ask, but you won’t even listen when I tell you to drop this." Gustave opened his mouth, but no words came. He stared at her, speechless. His head lowered again. "I’m sorry," he murmured, shame thick in his voice. "I’m truly ashamed of myself." Anne felt the last remnants of her anger waver. The sting of his earlier words still lingered, but seeing him like this—so genuinely regretful—softened something in her heart. She wouldn’t forget what he had said, but she no longer felt the need to hold on to her resentment. "I am upset with you," she admitted. "You humiliated me, accused me of hurting Augustine. I thought I’d never talk to you again." She exhaled slowly before continuing, "But your loyalty to Augustine made me reconsider. And now you’ve apologized. That’s enough. I don’t need to punish you." A heavy weight settled in Gustave’s chest instead of the relief. If Anne had punished him, if she had lashed out in anger, perhaps he would have felt a sense of atonement. Instead, she chose to move on, ready to forget the incident entirely. Somehow, that hurt even more. "Sorry," he murmured again, though he knew it changed nothing. Anne let out an exasperated sigh and rolled her eyes. "Alright, enough with the apologies. If you really want to do something for me, bring me something to eat. I’m a little hungry." Gustave straightened at her request, the smallest flicker of enthusiasm crossing his face. "Of course. I’ll be right back." He spun around and strode off, eager to complete the task she had finally given him. Anne watched him disappear into the crowd and sighed in relief. "Thank goodness, he finally left." She had no energy left to deal with his guilt and self-reproach. "I’d better avoid him for the rest of the night." She moved toward the opposite side of the hall, weaving through the guests. A passing waiter stopped beside her, offering a tray of drinks. Anne picked up a glass of wine and stood quietly in a secluded corner. Taking a slow sip, she allowed the rich flavor to settle on her tongue, using the moment to compose herself. She observed the elegantly dressed guests moving about, their hushed conversations reaching her ears. "I heard an antique necklace worth millions is being auctioned tonight," a woman in her forties whispered to her friend with excitement. "A rare blue diamond, heart-shaped—one of a kind. I wonder who will get it. I can’t wait for the auction to begin." The other woman smirked, her posture exuding pride. "I’ve already asked my husband to buy it for me," she declared smugly. "He promised to get it at any cost." "Wow, that’s fantastic." Anne took another sip of her drink, her curiosity piqued. ’A heart-shaped blue diamond worth millions?’ She couldn’t help but wonder what kind of necklace could command such an extravagant price. She shifted her gaze across the ballroom, searching for Augustine. A small frown formed between her brows when she failed to spot him. ’Where has he gone? Why can’t I see him anywhere?’ Just as she was about to pull out her phone, a voice from behind broke into her thoughts. "Anne, is that really you?" Anne stiffened at the familiar voice. She turned around slowly, her grip tightening around her glass. Tania stood before her, her expression smug, her arm looped possessively through Denis’s. Anne’s heart clenched at the sight, but she quickly composed herself. Denis’s eyes flickered with an unreadable emotion as he gazed at her, while Tania’s lips curled into a knowing smirk. "Why are you here?" Tania scoffed as she eyed Anne with disdain. "Do you even know what kind of party this is? It’s a charity event. People come here to make donations. You don’t even have a decent job. What exactly are you planning to donate? Your presence?" She let out a sarcastic laugh. Denis’s expression darkened, his gaze cold and dismissive. "Don’t embarrass yourself here," he said sharply. "Leave right away." Anne tilted her head slightly and narrowed her eyes at him, feeling a surge of amusement rather than anger. ’How foolish he is,’ she thought. ’Would he still look down on me if he knew how Tania was deceiving him? If he knew how easily she was making a fool of him?’ But she wouldn’t reveal the truth just yet. No, she wanted him to fall—hard. She wanted him to experience the sting of betrayal, the same way he had once made her suffer. With an air of defiance, Anne straightened her shoulders and leveled a glare at him. "Why would I leave?" she challenged. "I’m here with my husband." She let the words sink in before adding, "And you have no authority to ask me to leave." Denis’s expression flickered, a brief moment of surprise passing through his eyes before they darkened with a dangerous glint. "Husband?" he grunted, taking a step toward her. Before he could say another word, Tania tugged at his arm and pulled him back. "Oh, Anne," she let out a scoff, stepping forward with a look of feigned sympathy. "You’re expecting too much from him." She sighed dramatically, shaking her head as if pitying her. "He is just the CEO of a small company," she continued with mockery. "He barely started his job. He is not here to make a donation—he is here looking for connections, hoping someone will take pity on him and give him an opportunity." Tania chuckled, crossing her arms. "Maybe, if he is lucky, some influential figure will agree to do business with him. But let’s be honest—he is just another ambitious businessman trying to climb the social ladder." Her words were meant to sting, to make Anne feel small, to belittle Augustine’s presence at the event. But Anne simply smiled. "Yes, he has just started his job here," she admitted, "but not in a small company. Starlite Corp. is a part of the Sphere Group—a powerhouse in the business world, a company everyone dreams of working with. And unlike some people, he didn’t rely on family connections or an influential name. He climbed to his position through sheer talent and hard work." Her words weren’t just a defense—they were a calculated blow aimed straight at Denis. She saw the way his jaw tightened, the flicker of irritation in his eyes. ’Got you,’ she thought with satisfaction.

Chapter 81: I’m not punishing you.

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