Chapter 4

Nikita didn't understand what exactly Nathaniel wanted her to do. She clenched her fists tightly, ultimately unable to hold herself back as she asked, "Did you consider my situation when making that decision?"

She couldn't keep her voice from trembling as bitterness spread through her. Did everything she'd done over the past three years mean nothing to him? Was she only worthy of being a stepping stone for Regina in his eyes?

Nathaniel's gaze turned frosty. "Don't push me. You know very well what you should and shouldn't do."

Nikita fell silent. After a while, she smiled self-deprecatingly. "Of course."

She'd expected too much. Nathaniel had always known where to draw the line with everything. She was a fool for allowing herself to fall into his trap.

She returned to the secretariat department and saw her colleagues chatting and gossiping cheerily about when Nathaniel and Regina would make things official.

After all, judging from the current situation, Regina was the only person who would be the future Mrs. Foster.

When Nikita entered, the lively atmosphere immediately died down, becoming awkward and silent instead. Only a few people looked at her with pity in their eyes.

She didn't say anything. Instead, she went to Laura's desk and packed her things. Then, she returned to her office to make a call.

The person who answered the call sounded lackadaisical and flippant. "Now, this is rare. I can't believe you're taking the initiative to call me, Ms. Shea."

Nikita flipped through Laura's information. She chuckled perfunctorily and said, "It's been a while, Mr. Gray."

Mason Gray was one of the rare connections she hadn't made through Nathaniel. He was the youngest son of the Gray family and had worked with her a few times. He'd studied abroad and had handled a few projects after his return. They'd turned out well, so he showed some promise.

Nikita didn't beat around the bush. "Are you short on staff, Mr. Gray? Do you still remember Laura Anderson, my colleague? You've met her in the past."

Mason said, "I remember everything that has to do with you, Ms. Shea. Is she looking to jump ship?"

"She was fired after stepping on someone's toes. I can guarantee that she's got good character and can get her job done well. If you're willing, you can give her a shot. I'm sure she won't disappoint you."

"Oh?" Mason dragged his words. "Since you're the one recommending her, I have no doubts. Give me her details; I'll have the HR department contact her later."

Nikita relaxed. She thanked him, and he said, "But since we're on the subject, haven't you ever considered a change of environment, Ms. Shea? I promise that the treatment you receive here won't be any worse than what you're getting at Foster Corporation. How about it?"

She wanted to reject him outright but thought about how she was asking him for a favor. So, she softened her stance and said, "I look forward to us working together in the future, Mr. Gray. I'll do my best."

Instead of answering him, she chose to pretend like she'd misunderstood him. Mason was unruffled by this.

He snorted and said, "You're not giving me any chances at all, Ms. Shea. Aren't you even going to say that you'll consider the matter?"

Feeling resigned, Nikita said, "Gray Group will be at the top of my list if I ever get the chance to switch."

After hanging up, she turned around in her seat, feeling tired. Then, she saw the figure standing by her office door—it was Nathaniel. How long had he been there? Had he heard everything? With his dominant personality…

Nikita couldn't help feeling nervous. She shot to her feet. "Mr. Foster."

His expression was cold, and the displeasure in his tone was evident. "It looks like I've been holding you back from moving on with someone new."

She lowered her head to avoid his gaze. "No, of course not."

He grabbed her wrist tightly and pinned her to the desk before she even realized what was happening. He placed one hand around her neck and tightened his grip slightly. It was enough to make her frown, looking pained.

Her submissive attitude made Nathaniel's mood improve slightly. He didn't intend to let her off the hook, though.

As her shirt buttons were slowly undone, fear filled Nikita's eyes. Was he going to force her into sex right then and there?

Her office door was ajar; it would swing open as long as anyone knocked on it. If that were to happen, they would see exactly what was going on.

Nikita tried her best to suppress her moans. Nathaniel knew her body better than she did. He barely had to touch her to make her give in.

She clutched the lapels of his suit, her fingers weak. She leaned against his shoulder, her voice so shaky that she could barely form a sentence. "Don't… not here…"

"What?" Nathaniel showed no sign of stopping. His cool fingers trailed down her neck, making her tremble from the sensation. "Think about how you climbed into my bed back then. What's with the chaste virgin act now?"

His words were mocking, and Nikita couldn't answer him. She sank deeper into indescribable torment and pleasure.

Nathaniel only stopped when Regina's voice rang out. "Nathaniel, are you there?"

He loosened his grip, and Nikita took the opportunity to break free of him. She hastily straightened her clothes while he pulled a wet wipe from her bag to lazily wipe his fingers.

She was disheveled beyond reason, and her fingers trembled as she buttoned her shirt. In comparison, Nathaniel had been cool and collected from the beginning. Whatever had just happened hadn't left a mark on him at all.

"Don't forget about tomorrow's dinner." With that, he turned and grabbed a document that should've been sent to the CEO's office much earlier. Then, he left.

Soon, Regina's voice rang out again. "You could've just told me if you wanted a document, Nathaniel. I would've brought it to you! It's so troublesome for you to come all the way here, isn't it?"

She giggled and linked arms with him, saying coquettishly, "I've learned everything that you taught me earlier. I prepared a few documents per your instructions. Do you want to take a look at them?"

Nikita was still inside her office. From her angle, she saw Nathaniel's expression soften as he looked at Regina. She forced herself to look away and shut the door.

…

The following morning, Nikita arrived at the office an hour earlier than usual. She moved all of Laura's documents and folders into her office.

Laura had played a critical role in the secretariat department, and there were many things that only she and Nikita could do.

Now that Laura was gone, Nikita was the only one who could take over. She'd just finished preparing a report when Regina entered her office. "Morning, Ms. Shea."

Nikita genuinely couldn't deal with her. She forced out a relatively gentle expression and asked, "What is it?"

Regina was all smiles as she placed the things she held on Nikita's desk. "I bought some soy milk this morning, and both Nathaniel and I love it. So, I brought some for you to try. I heard from him that you don't usually have breakfast, but it's really easy for you to get gastritis if you skip meals."

Nikita said calmly, "I have a soybean allergy."

Regina's expression immediately became apologetic yet aggrieved. "But… the soy milk is really delicious. I lined up for ages to buy this. Besides, Nathaniel didn't tell me you were allergic to soybeans. Is it because you're mad about what happened to Laura?"