Chapter 3 3.When Jealousy Burns

It was a sunny day in San Francisco. Donita was in Erica's car, gazing at the skyscrapers towering over the financial district.

Among all those buildings, the Sebastian Group stood majestically. Erica skillfully turned the steering wheel and parked the car in the VIP area of the building.

"Alright, we're here! Daddy said he wants to take us out for a special lunch today. There must be something!" she exclaimed cheerfully.

Donita nodded, forcing a smile. But deep down, she was still so unsure. Was this man truly going to marry her? Or was he only doing it because Erica was pressuring him?

She may have loved Oscar for a long time, but she refused to be a woman who was simply 'used' to fulfill a need.

They walked into the Sebastian Group's opulent lobby when a piercing voice froze them in their tracks.

"Ericaaaa? How are you?"

Erica and Donita immediately spun around to face the voice, and there stood... Wina!

"I'm fine, Auntie." Erica replied politely, her face a mask of cold indifference.

"Why are you still calling me 'Auntie'? You should be calling me 'mom'!"

Wina's head snapped around, her eyes instantly narrowing on Donita beside Erica. Her gaze was a cold, calculated scan, scrutinizing the unknown woman

"Oh, Erica! And... who do we have here? A friend?" Wina's eyes quickly swept over Donita from head to toe, a smile pasted on her lips that didn't quite reach her eyes

But before Erica could explain who Donita really was, Oscar suddenly emerged from the private elevator reserved for the CEO and high-ranking officials.

"Oscar, honey! I was about to go to your office, but you came to pick me up here." Wina immediately latched onto his arm. Her slender fingers deliberately crept up his shoulder, as if to claim him with her touch.

The spoiled tone of the woman named Wina, who was wearing a bright red bodycon dress, sounded utterly disgusting! Her appearance was highly seductive, especially for someone heading to the office.

Her hair was elegantly pinned up, her crimson lips were pulled into a flirtatious pout, and her eyes flashed provocatively at Oscar Sebastian as he emerged from the elevator with his secretary

Yes, at that moment, Oscar was indeed coming down with his secretary.

Oscar was wearing a gray suit, his jaw set firmly, and his expression was flat. The man stared at Wina with the same blank expression as if he were looking at a wall, but Wina seemed unfazed.

Wina kept talking, her voice shrill, and occasionally she leaned her head flirtatiously on Oscar's shoulder.

"Look at her!" Erica whispered to Donita, her voice muffled with anger. "That woman has no shame!"

Donita's heart hammered uncomfortably against her ribs. She knew it was nothing but pure jealousy.

Oscar tried to pull his arm away, but Wina held him tightly. "Oscar, come on. I've prepared lunch at our favorite restaurant. Just the two of us, honey."

Her voice dripped with temptation, and Wina leaned in to plant an air kiss right beside Oscar's cheek. Donita saw Oscar's breath hitch. Oscar subtly tried to pull away, but Wina only latched onto him more tightly.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Davis," Oscar said flatly, without any intonation. "I have a lunch date with my daughter and... Donita." Oscar glanced at Donita for a moment, but his gaze was too quick to be caught.

"And she's not just my friend, Auntie! She's my future stepmom!" Erica took a deliberate step forward.

The shift in Wina's demeanor was immediate. Her fake smile dropped, replaced by a mask of disbelief. Her hand fell from Oscar's arm as she stared at him, her eyes wide with shock.

"What? Your fiancée?" Wina gestured wildly toward Donita. "This girl? Oscar, what kind of sick game are you playing? Tell me this isn't true!"

Oscar's face expressionless, staring at Wina as if she were nothing more than a minor annoyance.

"I'm not joking, Ms. Davis," Oscar finally said.

"I'm going to marry her." Oscar said it in a flat tone, as if without any meaningful emotion, making Donita doubtful.

Wina gasped, then let out a sharp, sarcastic laugh. "Oh, I get it now, Oscar. This is your plan? You're using a girl to get rid of me? What did you promise her? Money, or is she pregnant and now demanding you marry her?"

She stepped closer to Donita, her eyes filled with hatred. "Listen, girl. You don't know who I am? Oscar will only be mine!"

"Watch your mouth, auntie!" Erica was ready to step forward, but Donita held her back.

Donita stared straight at Wina. She didn't want to be trampled on by anyone.

"Pregnant? Hey, don't think every woman is as shallow as you are. If Mr. Sebastian truly chooses you, I'll walk away! So, Mr. Sebastian, the choice is yours. Is it me or her?"

Without a word, Oscar stepped forward, positioning himself beside Donita. His arm went around her, pulling her close in a decisive embrace.

Wina was shocked by the reality before her. "You! How dare you!" She raised her hand, as if to slap Donita.

However, before her hand could reach, a strong hand gripped Wina's wrist tightly. It was Oscar's hand, blocking Wina from slapping Donita.

Oscar's face remained expressionless, but his sharp gray eyes stared at Wina. There was a cold glint in them that made Wina pale instantly.

"Don't you dare touch her," Oscar hissed, his voice low and threatening.

For the first time, Donita heard such a firm tone from Oscar. Oscar roughly released Wina's wrist, causing the woman to stumble backward.

"Now, leave. I don't want to see you here again."

Wina stared at Oscar, then at Donita, her eyes blazing. Without saying a word, she turned and walked quickly out of the lobby, her high heels clacking loudly against the marble floor.

Erica laughed triumphantly. "That's my daddy! Cool!" She hugged Oscar briefly, then glanced at Donita.

"Donita, are you okay? Wow, you were so brave just now! How dare you stand up to Wina!"

Donita nodded slowly. Meanwhile, Oscar had already returned to his usual expression, as if nothing had happened. His hand was no longer on Donita's slender shoulder.

His gray eyes, which had earlier been filled with threat, were now cold again. As if the previous action had been nothing more than a formality.

Oscar didn't say a word to Donita, and that made Donita think, and doubt again.

"Come on, Donita! Daddy's hungry!" Erica called out, pulling Donita's hand.

On the way to the car waiting in front of the lobby, Donita stood a little distance away from Oscar, while Erica chattered away.

Donita looked at Oscar's silhouette. He seemed so perfect on the outside, untouched by emotion. Why was Oscar treating her so coldly?

Was she nothing more than a weapon he could use against Wina? Or was there a piece of his heart that truly belonged to Donita?