Chapter 3

After I hung up, Damien had already coaxed Amber back.

The termination fee from Sterling Corporation was due in three days, and then I could leave. I ignored them both, quietly returning to my office to pack my things.

But no sooner had I sat down than Amber strutted in, her head held high, sweeping my belongings directly off the desk.

“Celeste, I’m the streamer now, and Damien said this office belongs to me too. You’re just a junior employee in charge of samples, your spot is over there.”

I followed her pointed finger. Beside the trash can was a new workstation, its desk so narrow it was hard to even rest a hand on it.

Amber leaned in close to my ear, her voice dripping with provocation:

“Damien said you were old and ugly, unlike me, young and beautiful. He wants to look at *me* more, to 'cleanse his eyes' of you.”

I looked through the glass partition at Damien, my nails digging deep into my palms, yet I felt no pain.

He had once specially designed these two unique offices, separated only by a transparent glass wall, just so he could glance at me more during work.

He used to say I was his motivation to strive harder. Now, he was making me give even this up to someone else.

I tilted my head back, refusing to let the tears fall, and uncharacteristically, didn’t object. I silently walked out.

Damien, watching from next door, frowned deeply.

He knew perfectly well how much I loved this office, how I’d lean on the desk and watch him after every stream.

He had been prepared for me to throw a fit, but my quiet acceptance filled him with a sudden panic.

For the first time during working hours, he approached me, explaining:

“I’m just doing this to supervise her work, to help her pay back the $30 million as quickly as possible. That’s why I let her temporarily move into your office. Once she pays it back, I’ll make her move out. Celeste, I know you’re upset about losing the baby. How about I take you shopping to get your mind off things?”

Thinking about the jewelry I still needed for the awards ceremony tomorrow, I didn’t refuse. I got into his Maybach, treating it as a convenient ride.

Soon, I spotted a beautiful sapphire necklace.

To my surprise, the sales associate approached me, looking apologetic, to say it had already been purchased. Disappointed, I settled for another one.

But as I scrolled through my Ins feed in the car, I saw Amber’s latest post. The picture was none other than the sapphire necklace I had just admired, with the caption:

“Damien has such good taste! I’ll wear this to meet our new business partners later.”

Before I could react, the passenger door opened, revealing a meticulously dressed Amber.

Damien glanced at me, stating matter-of-factly:

“You’re Amber’s assistant now. Sit in the back. We’re going to meet the partners together.”

So, his initiative was just to have me help Amber pick out a necklace.

I forced a bitter smile and moved to the back seat.

Then, I watched Amber expertly pull a compact from the car pocket to touch up her makeup. Inside, I vaguely glimpsed an opened box of condoms.

I looked away, my heart numb. I thought I couldn’t feel pain anymore, but then, in the private dining room, Amber gave a coy smile as a business partner raised a glass to her.

“Oh, I can’t drink right now.”

The partner curiously asked, “Why not?”

She placed a hand on her stomach, revealing a diamond bracelet on her wrist, and looked directly at Damien, making no effort to hide it.

“Because I’m pregnant, and my husband bought me this diamond bracelet especially.”

Seeing that bracelet, I let out a cold laugh.

He had promised me an engagement ring, a bracelet – he’d bought me nothing.

Now, he was so generous with his lover.

No wonder he wasn't sad when I miscarried. They already had a baby together.

Amber’s face was alight with smug triumph as she watched my pale complexion, but she still wasn’t done with me.

“Even though I can’t drink, Celeste can. Why don’t you let her drink on my behalf? Damien, what do you say?”