Rebirth Swapped Bride: Married to a Ruthless Cursed billionaire Book2-Chapter 169: Inviting another woman over

Chapter 169: Inviting another woman over
Beauty had reached her limit, her defenses rising like a porcupine’s quills as she lifted her chin to meet Laura’s defiant glare.
The two women stood locked in a silent battle of wills.
Suddenly, Emily descended the stairs, catching the tail end of the argument.
She let out a cold, mocking snort.
"So what if she’s his wife?
Do you really think a flimsy marriage certificate can chain Lucas to her forever?
If it weren’t for the unbreakable bond between Lucas’s father and me, would I even be standing here talking to you?
Miss Nathalie, you should know—you and Lucas share true love and you have my support, as well as that of my parents.
What does that piece of paper even mean?"
Mary’s mind buzzed with disbelief.
She had never imagined a mistress could be so shameless, brazenly spouting such nonsense.
If Lucas heard this, he’d surely throw this lunatic out on the spot.
Nathalie’s face flushed crimson, her delicate features crumpling as she lowered her gaze, as though Beauty’s words had pierced her fragile heart.
Before, Beauty had merely disliked this pretentious woman—now, she was utterly repulsed.
A textbook white lotus, playing the innocent victim not just in front of Lucas, but in front of everyone else too.
She let out a dry, humorless laugh, setting down the dessert in her hand before picking up a napkin to dab at her lips.
Her voice dripped with icy sarcasm.
"Well, this is a first—a homewrecker trying to play the saint.
Aren’t women like you supposed to slink around in shame instead of flaunting your so-called ’love’ as an excuse for your disgraceful behavior?"
The three women had finally pushed her too far, and her sharp words hung in the air.
Everyone in the room—even the servants—froze, their eyes darting toward her in shock.
The next second, Emily’s hand shot out to slap her, but Beauty caught her wrist mid-air.
With a forceful shove, she sent Emily stumbling backward onto the couch.
Fury burned across Emily’s face as she scrambled up, ready to lunge for Beauty’s hair—only to be blocked by the security guards rushing in.
Lucas had given strict orders: no one was to lay a finger on his wife.
But with tensions this high, the guards hesitated, unsure whom to restrain.
In the end, they stepped between the women, holding Emily back.
"You are a traitorous dogs!"
Emily shrieked, her eyebrows nearly leaping off her forehead as she jabbed a finger at the towering guards.
"Do you even know who owns this house?
The Marson family!" Laura, ever her mother’s shadow, glared at the guards and threatened to have every last one of them fired.
"Madam, we’re paid by Mr. Marson, so naturally we follow his orders. He made it clear we’re to protect his wife at all costs.
If we fail, we’re out of a job."
The security guard looked torn, caught between two fires.
Laura was no pushover either, making this an impossible situation.
"I suggest you pack up and leave right now.
Am I not your employer too?
Too scared to cross Lucas, but bold enough to defy him?"
Emily pointed an accusing finger at the guards, her words dripping with venom.
"I think we all want to avoid escalating this today.
If Lucas finds out, do you really think he’ll let it slide?
Rest assured, I won’t repeat a word of what was said here. Let’s just drop it and spare these guards any further trouble."
Beauty, having vented her anger, felt much lighter.
She had no interest in dragging this out any longer.
Emily wasn’t stupid.
If word of today’s confrontation reached Lucas’s ears, she’d be in deep trouble.
The last thing she wanted was to be thrown out—again.
Her authority as the lady of the house was already crumbling.
She seethed with hatred for Beauty but had no choice but to back down.
Rising from the sofa, she straightened her posture and delivered a chilling ultimatum: "Today never happened.
If I find out anyone breathed a word of this to Lucas, they’ll regret it.
Forget staying in the Marson household—they won’t last a day in paris."
"Not a word, Madam.
You have our word," the guards chorused instantly.
The household staff, too, pledged silence, finally bringing the storm to an end.
Though she’d technically won, outmaneuvering Emily, Beauty still felt a heavy weight in her chest.
The memory of Nathalie’s bashful smile while talking about Lucas made her blood boil.
She could strangle him right about now.
With a sigh, she decided to return to work at Marson Corporation tomorrow.
Another day cooped up here, facing Emily and Laura’s smug faces, and she’d lose her mind.
So when Lucas returned that evening, Beauty had gone out of her way to doll herself up.
She was clad in a knee-length dress that accentuated her curves, striking a deliberately alluring pose on the bed.
To her utter dismay, the man merely cast her a fleeting glance and remarked dryly, "Still awake at this hour?
What are you, a wandering ghost?"
Without another word, he strode straight into the bathroom and slammed the door shut behind him. Damn it!
Beauty felt like banging her head against the wall.
Had he really not noticed even the slightest difference in her tonight?
The seductive outfit, the perfume, the ridiculous pose—had none of it registered?
And to call her a ghost?
Unbelievable!
The moment Lucas stepped into the bathroom, a smirk tugged at his lips.
Clearly, the girl had something to ask of him today.
The thought secretly amused him.
The sound of running water filled the space as steam fogged up the glass walls, casting a hazy silhouette under the bathroom lights.
Beauty’s pulse raced, her thoughts spiraling out of control.
She mentally scolded herself for being so easily flustered.
When the bathroom door finally swung open, Lucas emerged bare-chested, wearing only a pair of boxer briefs.
The chiseled contours of his abdomen gleamed bronze under the light.
Beauty’s cheeks burned crimson.
She shifted her long legs slightly, her voice laced with a coquettish whine, "You’re back, Uncle Lucas.
Why so early today?"
"Finished work early," he replied, toweling his damp hair.
"Why aren’t you asleep?
You’re usually snoring by now."
Her brows knitted in irritation.
"I do not snore!"
Then, catching herself, she softened her tone and let her gaze roam over him.
"You look especially fit today, Uncle Lucas."
Lucas arched an eyebrow, leaning down to grip her chin.
"And when do I not?"
Beauty nearly rolled her eyes at his arrogance.
Before she could retort, he suddenly flopped onto the bed beside her.
"Had a long day," he said coolly.
"Let’s turn in early."
Her heart sank like a stone, but she bit back her frustration.
Huffing silently, she yanked the covers over herself and turned away.