CHAPTER 31Jane's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. A part of her wondered if Caleb had told his uncle about her outing with Brian. She didn't respond to Xavier, instead, she quickly finished gathering her things and left the boardroom.She walked to Caleb's office, her mind racing with Xavier's words. As she approached, she heard the sound of footsteps approaching. She stopped in her tracks when she saw Stella stepping out of Caleb's office, a triumphant smile playing on her lips."Well, well, if it isn't Jane," Stella said, her voice dripping with mock. She paused, her smile widening as she took in Jane's expression. "Looks like you've had quite the day.”Jane stood there, her feelings a mix of jealousy and anger. She tried to keep her expression composed but the sight of Stella so excited made her blood boil. "Stella," she acknowledged curtly, trying to hide her irritation.Stella chuckled softly, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Oh, don't look so glum, Jane. It's just business
CHAPTER 32Brian's face crumbled, and tears welled up in his eyes. "Please, Mr. James, I'm begging you. I can't lose this job. It's everything to me."James' expression softened slightly, but he remained resolute. "I'm sorry, Brian. This is the best we can offer. Pack your things and leave the premises by the end of the day. We will notify you of the probationary terms shortly.”The room was silent as everyone absorbed the news. Jane felt a wave of emotions – shock, pity, sadness, and helplessness. She wished there was something she could do, but she knew her hands were tied.James concluded the meeting. "That will be all. Thank you, everyone." The executives began to file out of the room, murmuring among themselves.Jane remained seated, trying to comprehend the situation. As Brian rose to leave, he walked over to Jane, his eyes filled with desperation. "Jane, please, you have to help me. Talk to Mr. Lockwood. I can't lose this job. I'll do anything."Jane said nothing, but was stari
CHAPTER 33"Are you not going to respond to me, Caleb?" She questioned when he had been quiet for too long. "You can't say anything because I'm right, is that so? You don't even trust me" she scoffed, shaking her head sideways. Caleb ran his fingers through his hair, his frustration palpable. "It's not about trust. Xavier found out. He sent me pictures of you with Brian. If you're caught with more men, it might be confirmed that it's a contract marriage, and it would ruin us."Jane felt a wave of disappointment wash over her. "Is this really about Xavier?" she asked, her voice tinged with sadness."What do you mean?" Caleb asked, his tone defensive.Jane hesitated. "If you treated me more like your wife, it would be more convincing."Caleb's expression softened slightly. "I've always stuck to my end of the deal.""And what about Stella?" Jane challenged. "I'm not the only one with an ex-partner lingering around."Caleb sighed. "I've respected our marriage. The only reason Stella is
CHAPTER 34“I want that bag,” Abigail said, her eyes glinting with desire as she pointed to the display.“Which one, ma'am? This one?” The sales attendant gestured to a row of bags on the shelf.Abigail shook her head impatiently. “That colour is too dull. I want the brown one.”“This one?” the attendant asked, holding up a sleek, elegant brown bag.“Yes, that one,” Abigail said, her excitement evident as she hurriedly collected the bag. Her eyes lit up as she examined it. “It's so pretty.”“That one is a thousand dollars, ma'am,” the sales attendant informed her with a polite smile.“Oh, I don't mind. I could use my life savings to get this in every colour,” Abigail said, trying the bag in different poses. “What do you think? Does it match my skin tone, or should I get a brighter colour? Probably pink?”“This complements your skin tone perfectly, ma'am. A lovely bag for a classy lady,” the saleswoman complimented.Abigail fluttered her lashes and grinned. “Oh, I'm flattered.”“Are yo
CHAPTER 35After her break, Jane returned to the company, her mind still lingering on the morning’s events. As she walked towards her office, she saw someone who looked remarkably like Brian. She blinked, convinced she was imagining things. He’s on probation, she reminded herself."Poor Brian" she muttered under her breath, feeling she was already missing him when it wasn't 3 days yet he was sent home. She shrugged and reminded herself that Brian was the only friend she had in the company. Just as she was about to dismiss the thought, the man turned around. It was Brian. He saw her and hurried over, a wide smile on his face.“Brian!” Jane exclaimed, her surprise and happiness evident. “What are you doing here? I don’t mean to sound offensive, but I didn’t expect to see you.”She tried to hug him but he withdrew himself a little bit and smiled, offered a handshake instead. He looked around the hallway as if someone was watching them, before returning his gaze at her. Brian beamed. “I
CHAPTER 36Caleb took a deep breath, staring out at the sea. “Honestly, no. I never saw myself as the marrying type. Too much responsibility, too many expectations. I don't want all of it.”Jane nodded, absorbing his words. “So why did you marry me? I mean, we could have still made the revenge make sense without being a thing.”Caleb glanced at her, his expression unreadable. “It was the right thing to do. For both of us and also because I needed Marcus to know I can have access to what he owns.”"Besides, if I don't get married, I can't become the company CEO. My dad knew of my decisions not to get married before his death. And he knew how I long to take after him. So he made marriage a condition precedent in his will" he sighed. But Jane was not interested in that, Jane was interested in something else, something Caleb had said which he had never hinted on before, for she already knew about the will the things that followed. Jane’s heart ached at his response, but she appreciated
CHAPTER 37Up close, Caleb was drop dead gorgeous. His icy blue eyes swirled with confusion as he looked into her eyes. It seemed as though she forgot how to breathe as she drowned in them. Although his face was void of emotion, his gaze was hypnotising.She gulped anxiously as she leaned in closer, his breath fanning against her cheek. It was a pull, it was magnetic and undeniable. Deep down she felt he could see through her as her gaze lingered on his lips, wondering what it would be like to have them on hers and many other places.“This is stupid,” she whispered, shaking the thought off as she turned away but his hand stopped her, resting only behind her lower back.She felt frightened for a bit as she trailed her gaze from his hands to his face.“Why do you look restless?” Caleb asked.Jane gulped as she looked away nervously. “I— I want—”“What do you want?” He asked, his voice hoarse.Without a word, she leaned in and placed a soft kiss on his lips.Caleb's lips curled into a sm
CHAPTER 38Stella stormed into Rose's house, her heels clicking furiously against the polished wooden floor. "Where's Caleb?" she demanded, her voice echoing through the spacious living room.Lilian looked up from the book she was reading, her expression immediately turning to one of annoyance. "Could you keep it down? If you need to talk to my mom, at least have some courtesy.”"It's fine, Lilian," Rose said, her voice calm as she looked up from her tea. She turned to Stella, her eyes steady. "Why don't you sit down and we can talk?”Stella shook her head, her face flushed with anger. "I'm not here to sit and chat. Caleb has not been in his office for two days, and what's the need of me staying there when I can't see him? He's not even taking my calls!""You and I know I didn't get the job to do some stupid work, I got it to get close to him and he's not even there!!" She yelled. "And guess what? I don't know what happen but they won't let me in the research department, that the bos