Chapter 3.

Luis was the one who opened the door. It appeared he was on his way out. 

Marie balled her hands, turned to him, and nodded. "Hey, Mr. Stevens!"

Without waiting for him to respond to her greeting, she walked past him and entered the office with the document. 

Raymond was seated behind a large luxurious desk. In an expensive suit and matching tie, he looked particularly handsome. 

Marie noticed it wasn't the same suit he had on when he left home last night. How did he get changed? 

With her eyes lowered, she swallowed that question and said instead, "Mr. Dixon, this is from the Marketing Department. Please sign it."

Raymond was expressionless as he signed the document at a glance. 

Marie walked out the door as soon as he handed the document back to her. Luis was still standing at the threshold. 

It wasn't until she went out of sight that Luis turned to Raymond and said in a hushed tone, "Do you think she heard us?"

Raymond's appealing eyes were expressionless at the moment. He wasn't paying attention to what Luis was saying. 

To Raymond, Marie had always been docile and never felt jealous of anyone. 

Her strict obedience was all Raymond demanded from her in exchange for treating her well. 

In the elevator. 

Marie held her breath just to hold back her tears. Unfortunately, it didn't work. 

She had thought two years would be enough for Raymond to realize how much she loved him and reciprocate her love. 

Now, it turned out that it was just a pipe dream. 

She realized she would always play second fiddle to Lauren, Raymond's true love. 

Marie wiped her tears when the elevator halted. Save for her pale face, she looked normal. 

She dragged herself to the break room, intending to make herself a cup of tea. 

Several employees were chatting inside. 

"Guys, have you heard? Lauren Jessy is back."

"And who is that?"

"Oh, my! You don't know her? Lauren is the heiress of the Murrey's Group as well as a world-class designer. Most importantly, she's the only girlfriend Mr. Dixon has ever shown off in public. She's his first love!"

"Why is her return such a big deal? Isn't it rumored that there is something between Mr. Dixon and Marie?"

"Marie? She's nothing to Mr. Dixon. Mr. Dixon never admitted that he was dating her. And that is no surprise to me. After all, look at her. She's not even that beautiful. Yet, she behaves as if she's already Mrs. Dixon. What a fool!"

Standing at the door, Marie smiled with self-mockery as she listened to them. It turned out everyone else saw the truth except her. 

The love was one-sided. 

"Ha-ha, have you finally woken up from your wild dream, Marie?"

A voice of mockery suddenly came from behind. Marie turned around to see Jessica Dixon, Raymond's sister, who had always despised her. 

She came to the house last night and gave me the insult of my life and now she's again? 

Jessica must have also heard the employees gossiping. 

The last thing Marie wanted to do now was argue with Jessica in the company. She turned to leave, but Jessica blocked her way. 

With a cup of coffee in her hand, Jessica uttered sarcastically, "Lauren is back now. Do you think Raymond will still give you any attention?"

Marie said nothing to that. 

Seconds later, Jessica continued the ridicule. "Maybe it's time for you to seek out another man, you pathetic fool."

Marie clenched her fists and said coldly, "Ms. Dixon, if you are interested in that kind of thing, feel free to pursue it yourself."

"You..."

Marie's retort made Jessica's face change. 

The next second, Jessica raised her hand and emptied the cup of coffee on Marie.

Marie didn't think for a second that Jessica would do something so crazy, although her co-workers had been telling her how terrible Jessica could be and the few times she had come to fight her at home. She held up her arms just to block the liquid from her face. In no time, the coffee drenched her clothes. 

Marie frowned. "What did you do that for? Are you out of your mind?"

It was lunch break and many employees were free to watch the drama. Jessica was even more complacent when she saw growing onlookers. 

She put on a mean-girl look as she said, "What makes you so smug every day, huh? Do you seriously think that others don't know you are just an orphan? The nerve of..."

Jessica was silenced by Marie's shove. 

Her jaw dropped to the floor. She had never expected that Marie, who was so quiet and timid, would shove her. 

Jessica stuttered, "You… Did you push me? How dare you!"

Marie looked at them angrily and replied, "Yes, I did! It seems you need to be taught simple politeness."

Indeed, she lost her parents when she was a child. But that didn't mean she would allow someone to walk over her for it. 

Wrinkles appeared on Jessica's face as she frowned in anger. As Mr Dixon's daughter, she was used to being fawned over and respected. This was the first time she had been treated like this. 

Jessica charged at Marie like a raging bull, poised to retaliate. 

This time, Marie was fully prepared for what was coming. She grabbed Jessica's wrist so that the latter couldn't move another inch. 

Jessica was shorter than Marie. As a result, she struggled like an octopus that had one of its tentacles stuck in a fishing trap. 

Jessica cursed angrily, "How dare you put your hands on me? Who do you think you are?"

These harsh words attracted more people to the break room. 

"That's enough!"

Out of the blue, a baritone came from behind. Raymond had left his office and ran into this hullabaloo. 

The entire room fell silent. 

"Raymond?" Jessica's blood ran cold at the sight of Raymond.