The moment I submitted my resignation, Mom’s call came through. “Chloe, how are your resignation procedures going?” “I’ve submitted the application. I should be officially free in about a month.” “That’s good, that’s good,” Mom’s voice lightened. “Mom and some of our friends in town have been busy looking for potential dates for you. Come back soon and meet them, let’s try to get you settled down this year.” She sighed as she spoke. “Just stop thinking about Damian Blackwood. He’s too high-class, Chloe, from a completely different world than ours.” My throat felt choked, and my eyes welled up. “Mom, don’t worry, I know. I’ll come back and be with you once I’ve handed everything over.” Hanging up, I started cleaning out my desk. After all these years at Blackwood Corp, I had accumulated so much stuff. I was only halfway through when my phone vibrated again. Veronica sent me a location, with a single word: “Come.” The address was clearly Damian Blackwood’s villa. Twenty minutes later, I stood in front of the villa door. The main gate was slightly ajar. I pushed it open and saw Veronica standing in the living room, holding a bracelet. My heart instantly clenched. I remembered clearing out everything when I moved out of this villa. How could I have missed anything? Before I could react, Veronica raised her hand and **SLAP!** “I’ve been trying to find out who was with Damian after I went abroad, and I never in a million years thought it would be *you*, my best friend!” “With that plain face, that scrawny figure? How could you possibly seduce Damian?” I trembled all over, the humiliation washing over me like a tidal wave. “Veronica, it was just an accident between us. And our… friends-with-benefits situation, that was only during your breakup with him. Before that, I never crossed a single line.” “SLAP!”
Scarlett Hayes slapped me again. “Whether we break up or not, Damon Thorne will always be mine. What are you even doing here?” This slap was brutal, splitting my lip and making it bleed. Just as Scarlett was about to land a third blow, Damon finally grabbed her wrist. “What are you doing?!” A cold voice came from behind me. Before I could turn around, I was yanked away with such force that I stumbled and fell to the ground. My knees slammed against the marble, and I gasped in pain. Damon Thorne shielded Scarlett fiercely behind him, his black suit making him look even more imposing, but the icy coldness in his eyes sent shivers down my spine. Scarlett’s tears instantly welled up. “Damon, I found out about you and Luna. My best friend and my ex-boyfriend… I was just so angry and asked her a few questions, and she was going to hit me.” “I didn’t! It was…” “Enough.” Damon cut me off sharply. His gaze softened instantly as he turned to Scarlett, a hint of panic in his voice. “Scarlett, she and I were just an accident. It was just an outlet because I missed you so much. The moment you came back, I chose you. Doesn’t that prove who I truly love?” My heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand. So, in his eyes, I wasn’t even a substitute. Just an outlet. Scarlett looked up through her tears. “Are you sure you don’t love her?” “No.” Damon’s answer was quick and decisive, without a trace of hesitation. “Okay, then prove it to me.” Scarlett pointed at me. “Have the bodyguards strip her clothes.” My blood ran cold. I immediately looked at Damon, but he was frowning, silent. “I knew you couldn’t bear to!” Scarlett’s voice rose. “If that’s the case, I’m leaving. I’ll make way for you two!” The words had barely left her lips when Damon grabbed me, then issued an order to the bodyguards by the door. “Do it!” Two men in black stepped forward. I struggled desperately, but I was no match for their strength. “No… please, no…” The sound of fabric tearing was painfully loud in the villa. Soon, my shirt buttons popped open, my skirt was ripped, and my bra strap snapped.
When the last shred of my dignity was torn away, Damon finally spoke. “That’s enough.” “Get out. Don’t ever step foot in here again.” I covered myself, stumbling out the door. Behind me, I heard Damon’s gentle reassurance, “Scarlett, don’t be angry anymore…” Outside, the rain poured down. The icy water lashed against my exposed skin, but it was nothing compared to the cold in my heart. I clutched the remaining fabric to my chest, struggling through the downpour. The freezing rain mixed with my tears, running into my mouth, salty and bitter. All those past memories came flooding back. Damon Thorne in college was the crush of every girl on campus—tall and handsome, his striking features and charming smile would draw screams from countless girls at every basketball game. And Scarlett Hayes was the undisputed campus queen—fair-skinned, beautiful, and from a wealthy family. As for me, I was just the most inconspicuous person in school, ordinary-looking, with a humble background. Until one afternoon, Scarlett suddenly sat across from me with her lunch tray, smiling sweetly. “Eating alone is so boring. Let’s eat together from now on.” From then on, I became Scarlett’s “best friend.” Everyone praised Scarlett’s kindness, for being willing to hang out with an ugly duckling like me. Only I knew that Scarlett just needed a mere prop to highlight her brilliance. Until Damon Thorne appeared in our small circle. At first, I thought he was interested in me. One evening, I was cornered by some thugs in an alley, and it was Damon, passing by, who stepped forward. His figure, backlit by the fading sun, became the brightest memory of my youth. But I soon realized that Damon was only approaching me to pursue Scarlett. The easiest way was to first become friends with her best friend. Still, I helped him. I remembered how I praised Damon to Scarlett, how I found excuses to leave when they went on dates, and how I filled countless pages of my diary with unspoken “Damon Thornes.” After that, I was like an extra in my own life, watching Damon win Scarlett over and then shower her with adoration. I thought I would always witness their journey from dating to marriage and then to having children. Until just before graduation, Scarlett suddenly broke up with him, leaving decisively for overseas. Damon chased her to the airport, standing in the pouring rain for a day and a night, only to watch Scarlett walk away without a backward glance. During that time, I stayed by his side. When he drank heavily, I cleaned up the empty bottles; When he was despondent, I quietly took care of his life. Later, I even became his secretary, organizing his work and life perfectly. It wasn’t until a business dinner, when Damon was drugged, that I was about to call a doctor, but he, losing control, pushed me onto the sofa in the lounge. Afterward, he didn’t even give me a glance, but I still remembered his burning body heat and ragged breaths. It happened a few more times after that, always when Damon was drunk. He never kissed my lips, never looked at my face, just took what he wanted with a cold detachment. Our intimate relationship lasted for three whole years. Until a month ago, Scarlett returned to the country, and Damon unhesitatingly went back to her side. At that moment, I knew it was time for me to leave. So, I secretly handed in my resignation and agreed to my mom’s request for blind dates back home. But I never imagined that even then, Scarlett wouldn’t let me go. Soaked to the bone, I arrived home when my phone suddenly rang. I opened it and found a considerable sum of money transferred from Damon, with only two cold words in the: “Compensation.” Immediately, another message popped up: [I know you like me] I stared at the words, my breath catching. He knew everything. Those stolen glances, those deliberately created coincidences, those feigned casual acts of care—I thought I had hidden them so well. [But we’re impossible] [Scarlett was just too angry today] [Don’t hold it against her] [And don’t you dare hurt her out of jealousy] Every message felt like a knife twisting in my heart. I suddenly laughed, tears streaming down my face. I thought of those years— When he’d held me while drunk, calling Scarlett’s name, I’d held back my tears; On his birthday, I’d secretly slipped my gift among a pile of packages, not even daring to sign my name; When he kissed her in the office, he always covered her eyes; It turned out he knew all of it. My finger hovered over the screen for a long time before I finally replied. [Mr. Thorne, don’t worry. From now on, I will never like you again.]
The moment I hit send, I sank into a bathtub full of water. Bubbles gurgled up, just like my unrequited love all these years, finally sinking completely. The next day, I went to work as usual. But to my shock, photos of me soaking wet and heading home had been uploaded online, sparking a heated discussion. “That flat-chested body dares to run around naked? I wouldn’t even glance at her if she walked past me! This woman will do anything for negative attention, she’s desperate for traffic!” “Look at her miserable state, it doesn’t look like she’s seeking attention, more like a mistress who got beaten up! Serves her right, a shameless hussy who deliberately interfered in someone else’s relationship. Why doesn’t she get hit by a car and die!” Reading these malicious curses in the comments, my heart ached, but there was nothing I could do. I was terrified my mom would see these photos, so I nervously scrolled through the news, reporting posts all morning. The online discussion grew more intense until someone tried to doxx the person in the photos. Within minutes, the entire trending topic was removed, and all photos and videos disappeared from the internet. I didn’t know why, but my mood slowly calmed down. I pretended to be oblivious and continued working. I took a document to Damon for his signature, only to see Scarlett angrily confronting him. “You took down that trending topic, didn’t you? No one else has that power but you! Why would you do that? Do you like her?!” I froze, surprised it was Damon who had done it. He frowned slightly, looking at Scarlett with a hint of helplessness. “I took it down, but it’s not what you think. She’s my secretary, and if her identity were exposed, it would affect the company’s stock price. I swear, I have no feelings for her, Scarlett. I only love you. Please believe me, okay?” Scarlett was about to say more, but Damon pulled her into his arms, lowered his head, and kissed her, silencing all her words. Scarlett struggled at first, but eventually succumbed to his expert and tender kisses, her breathing growing ragged. Watching this scene from outside the door, I felt utterly cold. So this is how he kisses the woman he loves… His long fingers threaded through her hair, gently pulling her closer, his eyes filled with undisguised possessiveness and love. For three years, we had done everything intimate, yet he had never once kissed me. I should have known then, it was because he didn’t love me. My heart twisted in pain. Just as I was about to leave, a coffee cup suddenly flew past me. I stumbled and fell, hitting the ground. My forehead was gashed and bleeding. I barely managed to raise a hand to cover the wound when I heard Scarlett’s angry shout. “How long have you been eavesdropping at the door? Do you enjoy watching people kiss that much?” I lowered my head, my voice hoarse as I explained I was only there to deliver documents. But Scarlett walked over with a cold expression, raised her high heel, and stomped on the hand holding the documents, grinding it mercilessly. “Ah—!” The papers were crushed, and my hand was scraped raw, revealing crimson flesh. I trembled uncontrollably from the pain, but Scarlett pulled Damon’s hand and began to complain. “Damon, look, she not only lies, but she can’t even do her job properly. She ruined the documents! Can you please fire her?” Damon’s gaze sharpened. He was silent for a moment before speaking softly. “She’s currently handling several crucial contracts that need follow-up. I can’t fire her just yet.” Scarlett looked at him suspiciously, her voice tinged with dissatisfaction. “Can’t, or won’t?”
Damon softened his voice, coaxing her. “It’s truly about the work. We can’t delay the progress. Otherwise, a secretary is just a secretary, why would I lie to you?” But Scarlett wouldn’t let it go. “If you can’t fire her, then make her kneel at the company entrance for a day. That’s fair, isn’t it?” This time, Damon agreed and looked at me. “These contracts involve major partnerships. You failed to safeguard them. Either pay fifty million, or kneel at the entrance for a day.” I knew he was doing this to appease Scarlett, to force me to choose. And there was no way I could come up with fifty million. So, I stumbled to my feet, swallowed my humiliation, and walked to the main entrance to kneel. I kept my head bowed, hiding the bitter emotions in my eyes, listening to the murmurs of passing colleagues. “Isn’t she Mr. Thorne’s most trusted secretary? Why is she kneeling here? With so many people watching, it’s so embarrassing!” “I just saw it. She didn’t do anything wrong; she just offended Ms. Hayes.” “Ms. Hayes is Mr. Thorne’s ideal woman. Even after all these years apart, he’s still obsessed with her. She dared to offend Ms. Hayes, she deserves this punishment!” Every word pierced my heart like a needle, making it hard to breathe. I suddenly remembered back in college, on Scarlett’s birthday, I was mocked by some boys who said I was just the cow dung to highlight the campus queen. Laughter erupted in the private room. I fled in a panic to the stairwell. It was Damon who found me and handed me a pack of tissues. “Don’t mind others. Focus on yourself, and you’ll be fine.” To this day, I still remember those words. I always believed that Damon saw something special in me, which was why he kept me around. I had always worked diligently and without complaint for him. But the moment Scarlett returned, he negated all my years of effort and dedication, all for her. Yes, I was nothing more than a secretary he could fire at will. Since I had lost all my utility, it was time to leave. I knelt for a day, my knees scraped raw and bleeding. I couldn’t even walk from the pain. When work ended, I limped back to the office to get my bag, only to run into Damon. He looked at my injuries and frowned slightly. “Take a few days off, get some rest. Come back to the company once your injuries have healed.” I quietly said yes, avoided his gaze, and silently turned to leave. Back home, after treating my wounds, I started packing. The day Scarlett’s return was announced, Damon immediately told me to move out of the villa. I had left in a hurry then, my belongings crammed haphazardly into boxes. Now that I was returning home, it was time to properly sort through everything. I threw away all the necklaces and jewelry Damon had given me over the years, the candid photos I’d secretly taken of him while he slept, the diary filled with my secret crush from my school days, and all other miscellaneous items. During this time, I occasionally saw gossip shared by colleagues in the company’s SnapChat groups. When Scarlett came back from shopping with sore legs, Damon would kneel and massage them for her; when she complained that the company lights were too harsh, he would have all the lights in the building replaced overnight; when she was in a bad mood, he would cancel all work and meetings to be with her… I watched silently, telling myself over and over. Soon, it would all be over. After my injuries healed, it was the company’s annual gala. Damon attended with Scarlett. The entire hall erupted in enthusiastic applause. Everyone said they were a perfect match, a power couple, a match made in heaven. He helped Scarlett down from the stage, adjusted her skirt, took off his jacket and draped it over her, shielded her from toasts… I sat in a corner, watching the smiles that curved Damon’s lips and eyes, and quietly lowered my gaze. Soon, the gala moved to the awards ceremony. As in previous years, I received the Best Employee award. I walked onto the stage under the spotlight, and a presentation documenting my year’s achievements played on the screen. I adjusted the microphone, about to deliver my speech, when a sudden commotion broke out below the stage. Everyone was whispering, looking at me with strange expressions.
My eyelid twitched. Realizing something was wrong, I spun around sharply and found that my presentation had been swapped. Now playing on the screen were various unflattering photos of me maliciously taken during my college days. In addition, there were many blurred bed photos, but my face was clearly visible. I recognized them immediately; these were screenshots from Damon Thorne’s villa surveillance cameras. My blood ran cold. My mind went blank. I instinctively looked towards Damon’s seat. He was frowning slightly, but Scarlett, beside him, wore a contemptuous and provocative smirk. I immediately knew she was behind it. Blood rushed to my head, and I walked up to her, wanting to ask what it would take for her to leave me alone. But Damon’s expression changed. He stepped in front of her, his voice chilling. “What are you doing? Haven’t you caused enough embarrassment? Don’t forget, you’re just a secretary!” I looked at him through tears. “Mr. Thorne, I may just be a secretary, but I’m a human being. Don’t I deserve respect? She deliberately put these photos…” “Haven’t you made enough of a scene? Stop acting crazy!” Damon’s face was livid as he cut me off, then immediately called security and had me escorted out. In front of everyone, I was dragged by my hair, humiliated, out of the venue, and pushed down the long flight of stairs. I tumbled down the steps, my body covered in bruises. Blood seeped out, staining the floor crimson. Excruciating pain spread through my limbs, tearing at my nerves. Tears, held back for so long, finally broke free, blurring my vision. I hugged myself, curling into a ball, and gradually lost consciousness… I don’t know how much time passed, but when I opened my eyes, I found myself in a hospital. I stared blankly at the ceiling for a long time, then picked up my phone. All the company SnapChat groups were discussing the gala. Someone had even posted live videos and photos, shamelessly mocking me. “She doesn’t look like much, but she’s quite wild in private, isn’t she? I thought she was frigid with that cold face, but she’s actually just a slut trying to seduce men. Who knows which guy she’s messing around with, taking so many photos, she must be so desperate!” “Where did you get frigid from? Didn’t she always try to hook up with Mr. Thorne at the company? Always hovering around him. Good thing Mr. Thorne only has eyes for Ms. Hayes and wouldn’t stoop to trash like her!” “A wild hen who can only climb by using her body, does she even compare to Ms. Hayes? It’s an insult to Ms. Hayes. I hope she’ll have some dignity and just leave. If she still clings to the company, it’ll be a joke!” Each sentence felt like a blunt knife slowly cutting into my heart, the pain unbearable. My palms were raw and bloody from clenching them. My teeth ached from biting down so hard before I could finally swallow those painful emotions. After some time, the hospital room door opened. I looked up and saw Alex Miller, a male colleague from the planning department, walk in, holding a cup of hot water. “Luna, you’re awake? How are you feeling? Should I call a doctor to check on you?” I paused for a moment, then shook my head. “I’m fine. Did you bring me to the hospital?” Alex scratched his head awkwardly, giving a shy smile. “I saw you passed out by the entrance, worried something might have happened, so I brought you to the hospital. Thankfully, you’re just too stressed lately.” Hearing the words “passed out,” I remembered what happened at the gala, and my expression froze. Alex realized his mistake and didn’t dare to speak again. The room was silent for a long time before he cautiously spoke. “Luna, don’t mind those rumors too much. They’re malicious towards you not because you did anything wrong, but because they’re biased against you. I know someone must have wanted to harm you, which is why they deliberately photoshopped those pictures. You can report it to the police, and if you don’t want to bear this pressure, I can help you. You can just say you were in a normal relationship…” Seeing his ears quickly turn red, I remembered how he always inexplicably started conversations with me and occasionally sent coffee and snacks. It was only then that I belatedly realized Alex Miller probably liked me. But I had always only thought of him as a regular colleague, and I had already decided to leave. So, faced with his veiled confession, I forced a smile and politely refused. “Thank you for your kindness, but I can handle this myself.” A hint of disappointment flickered in Alex’s eyes, but he wasn’t ready to give up. He pulled a bouquet of roses from under the bed and offered it to me, stuttering as he spoke. “Actually, I’ve… I’ve liked you for a long time, but I never dared to confess. I know now isn’t a good time, but I still want to try. Please give me a chance, let’s try being together…” His words were cut short as the hospital room door was violently kicked open. Both of us jumped, turning in unison to see a furious Damon Thorne. He glared darkly at Alex, squeezing out three enraged words from his throat. “Get out!”
Under his powerful aura of intimidation, Alex scrambled to his feet, bowed, and retreated from the hospital room. Damon slammed the door shut and turned to look at the flowers beside my hand. “He likes you, he confessed to you?” I met his gaze, offering no reply. Faced with my silence, Damon walked over, picked up the bouquet of roses, and threw it out the window. Though I had refused Alex, I didn’t want to see his heartfelt gesture treated so carelessly. So, I pulled out the IV needle from my hand and went to retrieve it, but Damon grabbed my wrist, pinning me back onto the hospital bed. He stared at me, his eyes as cold as snow. “What are you doing? What’s so great about a pile of trash flowers to pick up? Do you like him too?” I pushed him away directly, my voice cold. “Mr. Thorne, you are just my superior. You have no right to question who I’m with.” Damon’s face grew even uglier. He couldn’t control his strength, his grip leaving red marks on my wrist. “Yes, but don’t forget, the company prohibits office romances. If you dare to say yes to him, tomorrow I’ll make sure he’s out of Thorne Industries!” I knew he always followed through on his threats. I didn’t want to drag anyone else down, so I had to state the facts. “I don’t like him, and I have no intention of being with him.” Damon’s expression finally softened a little. He suddenly released my hand and stated the real reason for his visit today. “The photos from the gala, Scarlett did indeed swap them. But it’s understandable that she’s angry after finding out the truth. Once this situation calms down, I’ll promote you to Head of the Secretary Department. Your salary will be doubled, and you can work with peace of mind. Scarlett has promised me this is the last time, and she won’t deliberately target you again, so don’t hold it against her either.” His offer was tempting, but I was unmoved. I took a deep breath, preparing to tell him about my resignation. But just as I opened my mouth, Scarlett’s call came in. “Damon, I want to go to the beach for a few days. Will you come with me?” Damon spoke to her softly, no longer paying attention to me. He turned and left. He left in a hurry, without hearing what I had to say. “I don’t need a promotion, because I’ve already resigned.” Watching the door close, I lowered my eyes. Forget it. He’ll find out eventually. For a while after, Damon didn’t return, accompanying Scarlett. I went back to work as usual. Alex Miller was transferred back to his hometown branch company the next day. I didn’t even get to see him one last time. Although people in the company still looked at me strangely, no one mentioned the gala anymore. Everything calmed down. I approached HR, asking if I could resign early. The HR manager looked troubled. “Luna, if you want to leave early, it requires Mr. Thorne’s special approval.” I nodded and prepared a premature resignation letter. Just as I was about to find Damon for his signature, he called, sending an address and telling me to go there immediately. When I reached the private room at the club, I found Damon’s friends and Scarlett all there, playing games boisterously. Seeing me, Damon’s gaze swept across the wine glasses on the table. “Scarlett lost a few rounds. She’s on her period today and can’t drink. You drink for her, ten thousand for each glass.” I knew Damon had damaged his stomach from excessive drinking before and couldn’t touch a drop of alcohol now. Otherwise, he would definitely drink for Scarlett himself. I looked at the dozen or so glasses of whiskey on the table and spoke softly. “Mr. Thorne, it’s after work hours. I have the right to refuse this task you’ve assigned me. If you insist on me drinking for her, I don’t need the money, I just need your signature.” Damon frowned slightly. “Signature? What signature?” I pulled out the application letter and handed it to him. As he was about to open it, Scarlett tugged his arm and pouted playfully. “Damon, I lost again. Hurry up and make her drink.” Damon responded to her gently, not bothering to look closely at the document. He signed his name quickly and tossed the pen back. “It’s signed. Now drink.”
After putting the signed agreement into my bag, I picked up a glass and drained it. Glass after glass, I drank until my stomach churned, and I couldn’t stop wanting to vomit. Forcing down the last glass, I stumbled to my feet, wanting to go to the restroom, but Damon’s friends blocked my way. “Damon, Scarlett lost again! This time she chose truth or dare, and the card she drew was to pick a single person from the room and kiss them for three minutes!” Hearing this, Damon didn’t hesitate. He pulled Scarlett into his arms and kissed her. Both were lost in the kiss, and everyone in the room cheered and whistled. I watched their passionate embrace, feeling a dull ache and numbness in my chest. When the kiss ended, Damon looked unsatisfied, and Scarlett’s face was flushed. But his friends started teasing again. “That kiss doesn’t count! Scarlett’s card said to kiss a single person, and you’re her boyfriend. That’s cheating, it doesn’t count.” Damon’s smile vanished. “Scarlett is mine. Do you dare to make her kiss someone else?” Everyone noticed he was angry and quickly tried to smooth things over, pulling me forward. “Of course, we wouldn’t dare touch Scarlett! But we have a backup option! It’s just a kiss, let Luna do it.” Hearing that, the color drained from my face. I instinctively looked at Damon, and saw his expression stiffen as he refused. “She only agreed to drink. Kissing isn’t part of the deal.” His friends exchanged glances and chuckled. “That’s just a word from you! Give her more money, and Luna will definitely agree. Isn’t she the most obedient to you? I remember when you raced with us, and the one whose companion wouldn’t get in the car would lose a yacht. You just gave Luna a look, and she obediently sat beside you. She’d risk her life, what’s a kiss?” At this, Scarlett’s eyes reddened. She angrily yanked her hand away from Damon. “Didn’t you tell me you had no feelings for her? Why did you take her racing with you? If you like her so much, then just make her your girlfriend! I’ll find someone else to kiss to complete this dare!” With that, she stormed out. Damon panicked. He pulled out a credit card, threw it at me, and chased after her, leaving one sentence behind. “There’s a million in the card. Kiss for Scarlett for three minutes.” Watching him leave, I felt as if my heart was being torn apart. I didn’t want to agree to such a transaction. I turned to leave, but Damon’s friends pinned me down. They brought over a stray dog, forced open its jaw, pulled out its tongue, and made me kiss it, their words dripping with humiliation. “We heard from Scarlett, you’re quite the wild one, with your bed photos spread all over the company? A tramp like you trying to seduce Damon? That’s disgusting!” “Who would dare kiss you? Just touching your saliva would probably make them sick. You only deserve to kiss a dog. After all, they say, ‘a bitch and a dog, made for each other!’” Tears streamed down my face from the humiliation. A strong wave of nausea washed over me. I vomited until I was seeing stars, bile mixed with blood splattering everywhere. By the end, I was completely drained, my eyes numb and hollow. Watching the group of people laugh and walk away, only one thought remained in my mind. I had to completely sever all ties with Damon Thorne. I was never coming back.
I handed my early resignation letter to HR, watching her stamp it with the company seal. “Since Mr. Thorne approved, Luna, please hand over your current tasks. You can leave in three days.” My gloomy mood, which had lingered for days, finally began to clear. I returned to my desk to finish my final tasks. After two days of organizing documents and handing them over to my colleagues, I took a box and packed all my belongings. I had just finished tidying up when Damon pushed the door open and walked in. Seeing my empty desk, a hint of surprise flickered in his eyes. “What are you packing for?” I was about to answer when he seemed to remember something and nodded. “Right, you’ve been promoted, so you’ll have a private office. You can pack later. Come with me now.” With that, he didn’t wait for my answer, turned, and left. I wanted to say something but held back, silently following him all the way to an auction house. Scarlett was there too. Seeing me, a hint of disdain crossed her face. She walked over and linked her arm with Damon’s. “Damon, I’ve already picked out the jewelry I like. You have to buy all of them for me this time, no matter what.” Damon gave her a doting smile and helped her to her seat. “Don’t worry, I’ll bid for anything you want.” I stood alone in a corner, watching their intimate, laughing figures, feeling nothing in my heart anymore. Once the auction began, Damon bid relentlessly on everything Scarlett showed interest in. The entire hall was shocked by his lavish spending, everyone turning to look. “He’s bidding on so many items! How much does Mr. Thorne dote on his girlfriend? She gets whatever she wants, it’s better than a wishing well. Ms. Hayes must have saved the galaxy in her past life.” “I heard that ever since they started dating, Ms. Hayes has gotten everything she wished for. I can’t believe it’s still like this after all these years. Mr. Thorne is truly devoted.” Hearing these envious praises, Scarlett was beaming with pride. She casually tossed the auction catalog to me, then playfully pouted at Damon. “I want to go to the restroom, Damon. Will you come with me?” Damon immediately stood up and helped her leave, leaving me with only one instruction before they went. “Bid on everything circled in the catalog.” I quietly noted it down and, as he requested, bid on and won all the items. Just as I was about to leave, the auctioneer on stage suddenly unveiled a new item. “Ladies and gentlemen, we now move to the hidden item of this auction: a pink-purple necklace carved from a 40.52-carat alexandrite. Starting bid, ten million.” All the guests were unprepared for a hidden item, and their gazes were drawn to the dazzling and luxurious necklace. Immediately, bidding calls rose and fell, quickly driving the price of the necklace to an astronomical sum. I picked up my phone, took a picture of the necklace, and sent it to Damon, asking if I should bid. But he didn’t reply. I called a few more times, but no one answered. While I was trying to contact him, the necklace was sold for five hundred million. The moment the gavel came down, Scarlett happened to return. She immediately fell in love with the necklace. Upon learning it had been sold, she picked up a glass of red wine from the table and deliberately splashed it onto my face. “What are you doing? Didn’t I tell you to bid on everything I liked?” The wine soaked my hair and clothes. I clutched my hands tightly, trying to keep my voice steady. “This necklace wasn’t in the auction catalog. It was a last-minute hidden item. I called Mr. Thorne, but he didn’t answer…” Scarlett ignored my explanation, looking tearfully at Damon. “Damon, she not only has competence issues but she’s also shifting blame! I don’t care, I want that necklace. If you don’t get it for me, I’ll never talk to you again.” Damon had seen my message, so it wasn’t my fault. But in front of Scarlett, he couldn’t explain that for me. He could only go along with her words to soothe her. “When have I ever failed to give you what you wanted? Be good. I’ll send someone to buy the necklace back right now.” Damon called over a staff member, his voice stern: “Go negotiate with the buyer. Whatever he asks for, as long as he’s willing to give up the necklace.” I stood by, my soaked shirt clinging to me, red wine dripping from my hair. Watching Scarlett’s triumphant eyes, I suddenly had a bad feeling. The staff member soon returned, looking troubled. “Mr. Thorne, the buyer said he’s willing to part with the necklace, but…” “Speak.” Damon frowned. “He has one condition…” The staff member stammered. “He wants your secretary to spend a night with him. He said…” The staff member gritted his teeth and repeated, “He said that even though your secretary is of ordinary looks, he’s used to gourmet meals, but a simple snack can be refreshing sometimes.”
I felt like I’d been struck by lightning. I sharply looked up at Scarlett. The barely concealed triumphant smile on her lips confirmed my suspicion. Hidden item? Mysterious buyer? It was all a trap. “Mr. Thorne,” my voice trembled, “you can’t agree to this. I’m leaving after today…” “Damon~” Scarlett suddenly threw herself into Damon’s arms, cutting me off. “I just want that necklace~ You promised me~” She looked up, tears welling in her eyes. “In your heart, am I less important than a secretary?” Damon looked down at Scarlett in his arms, then glanced at my pale face. He reached up and wiped Scarlett’s tears. “Don’t cry,” he said softly. Then he turned to the staff member. “Tell the buyer, it’s a deal.” My blood ran cold. “Damon Thorne! You can’t—” Before I could finish, someone grabbed my arms. I struggled desperately, my nails digging bloodstains into the bodyguard’s arm. “Let go of me! Damon Thorne! I’m resigning tomorrow! You have no right—” My voice was cut off as the car door slammed shut. The black car sped away. In the rearview mirror, Damon was gently draping his jacket over Scarlett. In the luxurious suite, I was roughly shoved inside. The lock clicked shut. I turned to see a filthy beggar staring at me greedily. The beggar grinned, revealing crooked yellow teeth. I trembled, stumbling backward. “Don’t come closer… I can give you money…” “Money?” The beggar laughed, grabbing my wrist, his foul breath hot on my face. “That lady gave me enough money to last a lifetime! I don’t need money now, I need a woman!” Desperate, I grabbed a desk lamp to defend myself. When the beggar lunged, I smashed it hard against his head. Blood streamed down his forehead, only enraging him further. “Bitch!” He yanked my hair and threw me onto the bed. The sound of tearing fabric was particularly harsh in the room. My nails clawed deep gashes into the beggar’s face, but I was no match for his strength. Just as I completely despaired— “Bang!” The door was kicked open. Damon Thorne’s bodyguards rushed in, subduing the beggar in a few moves. “Ms. Hayes,” the lead bodyguard offered me a jacket. “Mr. Thorne sent us to rescue you.” I trembled as I wrapped myself in the jacket, reaching for my phone to call the police. The bodyguard quickly snatched my phone. “Mr. Thorne said you’re not allowed to call the police.” “What does that mean?” My voice was hoarse. “Ms. Hayes didn’t mean it, she just wanted to vent. Mr. Thorne already arranged for your rescue, and you’re unharmed, so let’s just drop it.” I felt like I’d been struck by lightning. “He… knew?” The bodyguard’s silence was his answer. I suddenly laughed, tears streaming down my face. It turned out Damon Thorne knew everything, yet still allowed Scarlett to push me into the abyss. My eyes reddened. “What if I insist on calling the police?” “No one in this city would dare take your case,” the bodyguard said expressionlessly. “Mr. Thorne says he’s giving you a week off. Rest well during these days; consider it compensation.” With that, the bodyguard’s figure disappeared down the corridor, and the door clicked softly shut. I slowly slid to the floor, my fingernails digging deep into my palms. The suit jacket slipped from my shoulders, revealing my torn collar. I reached to pick it up, but found my hand shaking violently. My phone rang abruptly. The word “Mom” on the screen stung my eyes. “Luna, have you finished the handover? The blind dates are all arranged.” I bit down hard on my lower lip, the taste of iron spreading in my mouth, but it was nothing compared to the pain in my heart. “Yes, Mom,” I heard my own frighteningly calm voice say. “I’m coming home today.” The moment the call ended, tears finally burst forth. Ten years flashed before my eyes like a kaleidoscope— The figure of a boy backlit in the university campus; His feverish breath when he was drunk in the CEO’s office; And tonight, his indifferent words: “It’s a deal.” Every frame of memory transformed into a sharp knife, slowly dissecting my heart. Ten years of devoted love, exchanged for repeated humiliation. I slowly stood up, picked up the jacket from the floor, smoothed my disheveled clothes, and returned to my apartment alone. My emotions were completely calm. Within a mere thirty minutes, I calmly cancelled my apartment lease, packed all my luggage, left the keys, and hailed a taxi to the airport. The taxi splashed through puddles, speeding towards the airport. There, a one-way ticket awaited, leading to a life without Damon Thorne.
The bar’s lights were dim and hazy, jazz music lazily flowing through the air. Damon Thorne leaned back in the leather booth, long fingers clutching a whiskey glass. The ice had long melted, leaving the liquor diluted and tasteless. Scarlett Hayes leaned against his shoulder, her red lips close to his ear, her warm breath caressing him. “Damon, my place tonight?” He absently hummed in response, his eyes fixed on his phone screen. No new messages. Normally, by now, my messages would be exploding. I would send photos of stray cats I met on the street, snap pictures of the new flower shop below the company building, complain that the cafeteria food was too salty, ask him what he wanted for dinner… Trivial, boring, yet they filled his life completely. When did my messages start to decrease? Damon frowned, his fingers unconsciously tapping open our chat window. The last message was from three days ago, a file I’d sent, with a formal note: [Mr. Thorne, please review.] Scrolling further up, I found my last private message before I resigned: [Mr. Thorne, rest assured, I will never like you again.] His chest suddenly tightened. “Damon?” Scarlett pinched his arm, annoyed. “Are you even listening to me?” Damon snapped back to attention, giving a perfunctory smile. “What did you say?” Scarlett playfully glared at him. “I said, it’s been a while since we…” Before she could finish, Damon’s phone suddenly vibrated. It was his assistant calling. He answered almost immediately. “Speak.” “Mr. Thorne!” The assistant’s voice was urgent. “Ms. Hayes cancelled her apartment lease, left the keys with the property manager, and moved out all her luggage!” Damon abruptly stood up, knocking over his glass. The amber liquid splashed onto Scarlett’s dress. She shrieked, but he seemed not to hear, clutching his phone as he coldly ordered, “Find out where she went.” “We’ve already checked,” the assistant said cautiously. “Ms. Hayes bought a train ticket back to her hometown, but… she got off midway. Her whereabouts are unknown now.” Damon’s temples throbbed. She was actually avoiding him. This realization made his heart feel like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand. A tidal wave of bitter emotions surged through him. The feelings he had suppressed deep in his heart, now erupted like a seed breaking through the soil. She had never been out of touch. Even if he called her at three in the morning to deliver documents, she would instantly reply, “Okay, Mr. Thorne.” But now, she had evaporated into thin air, leaving no trace. “Keep looking.” His voice was low. “Turn the country upside down if you have to, but find her.” Hanging up the phone, Scarlett could no longer maintain her gentle, delicate demeanor. Her face turned green with anger as she asked in disbelief: “Damon! You’re abandoning me for an insignificant secretary?!” Only then did Damon notice the wine stain on her dress. He rubbed his temples, pulled out a few banknotes, and tossed them on the table. “Call a car for yourself and go home.” “What do you mean?” Scarlett grabbed his wrist, her nails almost digging into his skin. “Didn’t you say you’d spend the night with me? I’m just a substitute. She left, so she left. You still have to go…” “Enough.” Damon cut her off coldly. Scarlett froze. He impatiently pulled his hand away. Damon, who had always doted on her unconditionally, now had an expression of annoyance and coldness she had never seen before. “I’m a bit tired. I don’t have the energy to argue. Let’s cool off for a while.” Stepping out of the bar, the cool autumn night wind hit him. Damon stood under the neon lights and suddenly remembered the last time I came to the villa to pick up my things. She was quietly tidying the documents on her desk, her back as fragile as a piece of paper. He was in his study on the second floor, watching her through the glass, thinking she would always come back. After all these years, no matter how much he neglected or humiliated her, she would always adjust her mood and silently return to his side. But now, she had truly left. Damon pulled out a pack of cigarettes, his fingers trembling slightly. Such a simple action, lighting a cigarette, yet it took him three tries. The choking nicotine churned within him, but it couldn’t suppress the inexplicable anxiety. He opened his phone gallery and unconsciously scrolled to a hidden album. There was a photo of me sleeping. He had taken it one night when he was drunk. I was curled up in his arms, tears still clinging to my eyelashes, but my lips were slightly upturned, as if I was dreaming of something good. He had never told me that he wasn’t fully drunk that night. When Scarlett chased him out, she saw Damon staring blankly at his phone. She stumbled over, snatched the phone, and then froze, struck by lightning, when she saw the screen. “…You have her photos?” Damon’s eyes darkened, and his impatience grew stronger. “Give it back.” “Damon Thorne!” Scarlett’s voice was sharp. “You’re in love with her, aren’t you?!” Passersby on the street turned to stare. Damon snatched his phone back, his voice icy. “Stop being crazy.” “I’m crazy?” Scarlett laughed hysterically. “What about you? You stare at her photos, track her movements, and now you’re abandoning me for her. Who’s really crazy?!” Damon silently opened the car door. Scarlett clung to his suit, refusing to let go. “Answer me!” “Nothing to answer,” he said, prying her fingers off one by one. “She followed me for so many years. Even a dog I’ve kept this long would get some affection.” Scarlett stumbled backward, her makeup smudged by tears. “You’ll regret this…” The black Maybach sped away. In the rearview mirror, Scarlett’s figure grew smaller and smaller, eventually disappearing into the night. Damon rolled down the window, letting the cold wind rush in, but his thoughts grew increasingly chaotic. His assistant sent a few more messages: [Mr. Thorne, we found that Ms. Hayes contacted a cultural company in a neighboring city, but they refused to disclose whether they hired her.] He replied: [Acquire that company.] The moment the screen went dark, Damon suddenly remembered the day I knelt at the company entrance. My knees were bleeding, yet my back was straight. I hadn’t shed a single tear. At the time, he felt it didn’t matter. Just a secretary, a punishment was a punishment. But now, thinking of my pale, fragile appearance, he felt an unbearable tightness in his chest, as if he had lost something very important. Damon floored the accelerator. The Maybach sped through the night, wanting to rush back to the villa as quickly as possible. A last shred of hope lingered in his heart, that this was all just me throwing a tantrum.
🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298842”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic
Leave a Reply