Chapter 3

The glare she shot me was razor-sharp.

Yet her face looked pale and exhausted.

Underneath her stylish coat, the hem of a hospital gown peeked out.

To keep me from hurting Julian, she had rushed back before her anesthesia had even fully worn off.

Two years ago, when I was rushed to the ICU with severe stomach bleeding from drinking non-stop at client dinners, the hospital needed a family signature.

Vivian had merely said over the phone with complete indifference. "Get back to work as soon as you're discharged."

She even docked my annual bonus because of the two days I missed while recovering.

Julian looked at Vivian, his eyes instantly brimming with tears.

Seeing how wronged Julian looked, Vivian glanced down at the glass shards on the floor, her expression turning terrifyingly dark.

She pulled out her phone.

"Lucas Graham just attempted to assault my fiancé with broken glass. I want to press charges for attempted battery."

The taste of iron flooded my mouth. Without any chance to explain, security dragged me away.

The moment we stepped out of the corporate lobby, dozens of flashing camera lenses were thrust into my face.

"Mr. Graham, is it true that you've been stalking and investigating Ms. Sterling for the past three years?"

"Sources say you tried to assault her fiancé while she was in surgery! Care to comment?!"

Pushed around by the crowd, I could barely stay on my feet. The edge of a heavy camera grazed my forehead, drawing blood.

When Vivian walked down and saw the commotion, she instinctively frowned.

For a split second, I thought she might step in to stop them.

Instead, she simply walked up and said in a cold, firm voice.

"This is a private family matter. None of you need to interfere."

It sounded like she was bailing me out.

In reality, she had just silently confirmed every single accusation the reporters threw at me.

Beside her, Julian put on the act of a traumatized victim, though a smug, suppressed chuckle slipped past his lips.

The very last spark of hope inside me died out completely.

After being escorted to the security office, Vivian stood looking down at me.

"Apologize to Julian."

"And what if I don't?"

Her tone dropped to sub-zero. "Then I will pursue full legal charges against you for trespassing and assault."

"Trespassing."

I closed my eyes and let out a broken laugh.

When we closed our biggest deal years ago, Vivian had spun me around this very office in pure joy.

She told me I would be the director of this company forever.

Turns out, "forever" had an expiration date of three years.

Vivian's brow furrowed slightly, about to say something,

when Julian spoke up with red-rimmed eyes, "Vivian, let's just forget it. I was terrified, sure, but Lucas is probably just too jealous..."

Vivian's face darkened instantly. "Apologize."

Seeing me remain silent, she leaned down, her voice laced with a venomous threat.

"Unless you don't want your father staying in that private hospital anymore."

My mind froze.

My father had suffered a stroke three years ago and had been cared for in a private hospital funded by the Sterling family ever since.

I used to think that was a gesture of love.

Turns out, every ounce of her care had a price tag attached.

I looked at her, suddenly losing every shred of desire to fight back.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have barged into your office, and I shouldn't have disturbed your fiancé. Are we done now?"

Vivian's frown only deepened at my surrender.

After two seconds of silence, she produced a folder.

"As long as you stop harassing Julian, I won't shortchange you on the asset split."

I clutched the divorce agreement tightly.

"As for your role in the company, Julian has already taken over."

"He's young, brilliant, and adapting quickly to corporate life."

Her expression softened when talking about him.

My pen hovered over the paper.

I was the one who stood by her side, building this corporate empire brick by brick.

I was the one who took every heavy-drinking dinner meeting for her, puking blood until my stomach gave out.

During our busiest launch, I didn't go home for weeks, crashing on the office couch for over a month.

Now, she had forgotten all of it.

The harsh winter wind blew against the glass. I let out a breath of white mist.

Under Vivian's watchful eyes, I signed my name.

Seeing how smoothly I signed it, she raised an eyebrow.

"You don't want to double-check the asset distribution?"

I smiled faintly.

"If I asked for the title to that executive office, would you give it to me?"

Vivian remained silent for a long moment.

"Anything except that."

My lips parted.

Then I realized,

forget it.

It was just an office.

I didn't want it anyway.