Chapter 3

He dragged me all the way to my old desk.

My wrists and knees were already raw, bleeding. I huddled on the floor, feeling like a beaten dog.

Asher pulled Chloe into his arms, protecting her, and warned in a low voice.

"I don't care who ordered you to bully an intern, but this company isn't Harper's to run anymore."

"If you want to stay, show some respect."

Brenda's face was pale, and she didn't dare move an inch.

On the way here, Brenda had already texted me.

After I left, Chloe worked under her.

What could a lazy, conniving intern accomplish?

Brenda had only said a few words to Chloe when she messed up a client's lunch order. Chloe immediately ran straight to Asher to complain.

Chloe buried her head in Asher's chest, openly affectionate and ignoring everyone else.

"Asher, I don't know what I did... I just thought that client looked like they'd appreciate a healthier option, so I ordered them a diet meal, and Brenda just started yelling at me..."

Asher stroked her head and promised to make things right for her.

He swept his cold gaze across everyone in the office.

"I know Harper had good relationships with all of you, and you want to stand up for her because she resigned. But this was her own work error, and she had no face to stay in the company. It has nothing to do with Chloe."

"I'll say it again: if you want to stay, show me your attitude, or get out, all of you."

Everyone's face turned white. They all understood Asher's hidden threat.

Maya, whom I had personally mentored, walked up to me.

She squeezed her eyes shut, whispered a soft "I'm sorry," and then swung her hand, slapping me across the face.

Asher stood there impassively, only saying,

"What about the rest of you?"

Then the others came forward, one after another, jostling to take their turn, a slap after a slap landed on my face.

There were those I'd helped, those who'd helped me...

Blood trickled from the corner of my lips. My head throbbed, my eardrums buzzed, and my consciousness began to blur.

Chloe let out a small giggle.

"Asher, look at her. She looks so pathetic, like a swollen pig."

Asher's eyes were like ice, and his words were even more merciless.

"People like her, with deep schemes and only good at backstabbing, don't deserve to be in this company."

"Her resignation application is rejected. She's fired. And this year's bonus will be revoked and given to Chloe instead."

My eyes widened in disbelief.

Anger, like a spiderweb, spread layer by layer, constricting my entire heart.

"Asher! That's what I earned! How dare you?!"

It was company policy to determine the bonus amount based on the projects each person secured.

From negotiating deals to drafting proposals, finalizing contracts, and haggling with clients, I did it all myself.

To secure an extra percentage point, I drank late into the night.

That bonus was meant to pay off my mortgage...

When I was little, my parents divorced, and no one wanted me. I was shuttled back and forth like a package no one wanted.

I was thrown into my uncle's house, where my aunt made it clear I wasn't welcome. She often threatened to kick me out if I didn't behave.

Because of this, even as an adult, I was terrified of having nowhere to go.

After I got together with Asher, I clung to him desperately. I was afraid he'd kick me out.

No matter where he went, I had to keep tabs on his every move. But even the most burning love can fade.

I started to pin my hopes on money, to buy a place of my own, so that if Asher and I ever broke up, if I was kicked out, I wouldn't be homeless.

I worked like a madwoman, finally saving enough for a down payment.

All these years, I'd scrimped and saved every penny, making loan payments. The pressure was immense. I was losing hair and going gray prematurely from stress.

Asher saw all of this.

He knew how much I valued this bonus.

But now, his tone was mocking.

"Because this company is mine. And because you bullied Chloe, you owe her compensation!"

My throat closed up, choking off any words I might have said.

A wave of nausea churned in my stomach, threatening to make me sick.

Thirty thousand dollars in bonuses, he casually handed to an intern who had done nothing.

I gritted my teeth, enduring the dizziness, as the security guards Asher called threw me out of the company.

Just outside the office, Asher texted me.

"Today's events were your fault to begin with."

Perhaps because I didn't reply, he sent another message.

"Okay, maybe I went too far. But you showed Chloe zero respect. She's still my assistant. I saw red when I heard you had people bullying her."

"I'm flying to Paris for business tomorrow. Coincidentally, that limited edition bag you wanted is dropping there. I'll get it for you. A peace offering."

He had no idea Chloe had already bragged about it on her Ins a full minute earlier.

"Because I wanted to see the Eiffel Tower, someone invented a 'business trip' just to take me. My little puppy is so obedient."

I casually blocked both of them.

A week later, Asher returned from his business trip, a new designer bag in his hand and a pang of guilt in his heart.

He was only supposed to be gone for three days, but Chloe kept dragging him to shop and sightsee. He'd even forgotten to text me that he'd be late.

Coming home today, he wanted to surprise me.

Flushed with warmth at the thought of me waiting, Asher quickened his steps.

When he pushed open the front door, Asher called my name twice.

No answer.

The suitcases I had packed last time were gone.

All of my belongings in the house were gone too.

Asher's breath hitched, his face turning ashen as a terrifying thought clawed at his mind.