Chapter 2

A week had passed since that day.

During this week, Liam had tried to win me back multiple times, both openly and secretly.

Sometimes it was a bouquet of roses left on my office desk in the morning. Sometimes it was Starbucks delivered to me during a busy afternoon. Other times, he would wait for me downstairs after work.

I ignored him completely.

"Chloe, I get that you're mad. But you've carried this on long enough. Know when to stop!"

Today, while I was working in my office, Liam finally lost his patience and confronted me during work hours.

He immediately started using his typical controlling-boyfriend tone. I didn't even look up from my documents, keeping my voice cold and harsh.

"Our company has a strict policy against workplace dating. Do you want both of us to get fired?"

Hearing this, Liam shrank back in fear.

He couldn't afford to lose his job, and he certainly couldn't afford to lose me, his cash cow. His arrogant attitude vanished instantly.

Knowing when to play nice, I offered him a sweet escape after the hard blow. "You did something so terrible. Even though I said I forgave you, isn't it normal for me to still be hurt?"

Hearing this, Liam finally relaxed.

A smug smile appeared on his face as he sat down in the leather chair opposite me.

"Chloe, you said it yourself—everyone makes mistakes. Besides, you can't blame this entirely on me."

"You're always so focused on your career. You wouldn't even let me kiss you most of the time."

"I'm a grown man with physical needs..."

The more Liam spoke, the more self-righteous he became.

I listened silently, sneering in my mind, but on the outside, I put on a thoughtful and remorseful expression.

"You're right, Liam. But I really don't have the time or energy right now."

"I'm just a mid-level manager, and my salary is only slightly higher than yours. You spend a lot of money, and you have to send cash back to your parents. If I don't work hard to make money..."

The moment I mentioned money, Liam immediately changed his tune.

"I know, I know. That's why I've never forced you, right?"

"I understand how hard you work, but you also have to understand my needs..."

Liam was in the middle of spinning another web of gaslighting when his phone buzzed.

He glanced at the screen, and his expression flickered subtly. Leaving me with a hasty "I have an emergency," he rushed out of the office.

I was more than happy to see him leave. At the same time, I had a pretty good guess about who had texted him.

Sure enough, as the night fell and I was preparing to work overtime, Hailey sent me a few photos on SnapChat.

They showed a trash can filled with crumpled tissues, a torn piece of sexy lingerie on the floor, and Hailey blushing, snuggling happily into a sleeping Liam's chest.

"Chloe, since we were kids, if I want something, I get it!"

Looking at the provocative message, I felt absolutely nothing. In fact, I wanted to laugh.

I wasn't afraid of Hailey trying to steal him. I was only afraid she wouldn't try hard enough.

After a moment's thought, I decided to add some fuel to the fire.

I replied: "Liam is a person, not an object. Let's talk after you actually lock him down."

She didn't reply, but I knew Hailey's competitive spirit had been fully ignited.

I knew she wouldn't disappoint me. After all, she was right about one thing—since we were kids, she would use any underhanded method to steal whatever I had.

I was used to it, but that didn't mean I would tolerate it forever.

Putting those irrelevant people out of my mind, I buried myself back in my work.

I worked until the office was completely dead and quiet. Stretching my aching back, I rubbed my tired eyes, packed up my things, and headed for the elevator.

When the elevator doors opened, I saw someone I didn't expect.

My CEO stood alone in the empty elevator. He was tall, dressed in a sharp suit, looking cold and completely unapproachable.

Seeing me, he merely raised an eyebrow.

I bit my lip, hesitating whether I should wait for the next elevator. But he reached out with his long, well-defined fingers and pressed the door-open button, stopping the doors from closing.

"What are you standing there for? Get in."

His voice was deep and magnetic. Clutching my bag tightly, I braced myself and stepped inside.

"Thank you..."

Before I could even finish my sentence, the elevator doors closed, and a pair of strong arms wrapped tightly around my waist from behind.

His head buried itself in the crook of my neck. He let out a muffled, aggrieved complain. "You're acting so distant with me."