Cartel Queen No More: My Escape to the Elite Chapter 2

Hanging up the phone, Arthur, having just finished his lashing, happened to be helped out of the shrine by his uncle.

Seeing me, a flash of panic crossed his eyes:

“Chloe, when did you get here?”

I forcefully suppressed my surging emotions:

“Just as you were receiving the family punishment.”

Arthur let out a barely perceptible sigh of relief, grabbed my hand, his face full of guilt:

“I’m sorry, it’s a bad omen again this time. Can you wait for me a little longer? Next time, I will definitely draw a lucky omen and marry you.”

My nails almost dug into my palms, and I said nothing.

The wounds on Arthur’s back were bleeding profusely and needed to be treated at the hospital.

In the hospital room, I had just finished applying medication to him and was about to get up when the door was pushed open with a "bang."

It was Mia—clutching an arms inventory list, her eyes red.

As soon as she saw the bandages on Arthur’s back, she rushed over, pointed at me, and shrieked:

“A bad omen 99 times! It proves the Vance ancestors don’t acknowledge her at all! Why do you insist on marrying her?”

Arthur’s face instantly darkened, his voice as cold as ice:

“Mia, you are just my second-in-command. Who gave you the authority to meddle in my private affairs?”

Mia turned pale and ran out crying.

My throat felt sour, and I tried hard to keep my voice steady:

“Mia is your second-in-command? Since when?”

Arthur’s expression stiffened, then he said with an annoyed tone:

“I promised before that whoever secured the arms deal in the Middle East would be my second-in-command. I didn't expect Mia to be the one to get it.”

“It was a public promise; I couldn't go back on my word and refuse her.”

Sensing my silence, he quickly promised:

“Don't worry, as soon as she makes a mistake, I'll fire her immediately. From the creation of the organization until now, I am truly, truly sick of her.”

He says he only loves me, yet he changes the omen time and time again;

He says he's sick of Mia, yet he keeps her by his side as his second-in-command.

“I have things to do these next few days. Have the nurse take care of you.”

I was afraid I would lose control if I stayed any longer. After saying that, ignoring the disappointment in his eyes, I hurried out of the hospital room.

For the next few days, I was busy processing my visa for Europe and handing over the arms deals I was managing.

Just as I finished, Arthur called, saying he had a surprise for me.

As soon as I got in the car, he covered my eyes with his hands.

When we arrived at the destination, I pulled his hands away.

Only then did I realize this was the yacht where he had secured his first arms deal and confessed his feelings to me when we were eighteen.

A banner hung in the yacht’s restaurant reading, "Celebrating Arthur and Chloe's 10th Anniversary."

It’s fitting. This relationship started here, and it will end here.

Arthur didn't notice my unusual behavior and put his arm around me as we walked in.

He had rented the entire yacht. In the center of the restaurant sat an old-fashioned record player, playing a love song he had recorded himself for me.

I looked around:

The theme color of the decorations was yellow, a color I dislike.

Half of the photos on the photo wall had fallen off.

Although it was supposed to be dinner for two, there was only one set of cutlery on the table.

Arthur frowned, called the captain over, and demanded: “Why is the setup so terrible?”

The captain broke into a cold sweat: “Mr. Vance, it was all done according to Deputy Mia's instructions. We warned her it was inappropriate, but she said we must do exactly as she ordered…”

Arthur looked awful, but his anger quickly subsided. He leaned close to me, trying to coax me:

“I’ll punish Mia by making her sweep the armory. Don't be mad, okay? Today is our anniversary; let's not let irrelevant people ruin the mood.”

I didn't say anything and sat down silently.

When the cake was brought out, I let out a bitter laugh.

It was actually a nut and almond cake.

It seemed Mia was determined not to let us enjoy this anniversary.

“I’m allergic to almonds.”

Arthur’s anger finally erupted: “I’m going to find Mia and get this straight!”

He stormed out, and I followed him.

On the deck, he grabbed Mia’s wrist:

“I explained the restaurant setup to you countless times, and I specifically told you Chloe is allergic to almonds. Did you do this on purpose?”

Mia shook off his hand, shouting with red eyes:

“Yes! I did it on purpose! You wanted me to personally set up your anniversary with her? I couldn't do it!”

Arthur’s eyes softened, but he turned his head away to avoid her gaze:

“Chloe and I are childhood sweethearts. I only love her.”

Mia gave a miserable smile, her tears hitting the deck:

“I really envy her, being able to have your love.”

“While I have to watch you two celebrate your anniversary on my birthday. It hurts more than taking a bullet!”

Looking at her pained expression, Arthur spoke stiffly:

“How about this? I can grant you one wish. After all, you are my subordinate.”

“I want to give you my first time, can I?”

Mia stood on her tiptoes, kissed his thin lips, and tentatively reached to unbuckle his belt.

The moment the belt was about to be unfastened, Arthur abruptly spun Mia around and pinned her against the deck railing.

With a rip, fabric tore.

The tent that had long been pitched forcefully forced its way in.

Even though I had already decided to let go, the scene before me still felt like a bullet piercing my heart.

Arthur didn't return to the restaurant until an hour later, with Mia following behind him.

He put his arm around me like nothing had happened: “Chloe, I just punished her severely. Now I've brought her to apologize to you in person.”

Mia readily admitted her fault: “I’m sorry, Miss Hastings. It was my negligence at work. I hope you can forgive me, considering Mr. Vance has already ‘punished’ me.”

With that, she gave me a somewhat smug look, turned, and left.

I closed my eyes and forced a faint smile.

“Arthur, let’s break up. My mom has arranged a marriage for me in Europe.”