Chapter 4

After a half-decade of challenges and triumphs, we established the biggest apparel firm in Araya.

Despite our yearly earnings approaching 10 billion, she claimed we weren't compatible.

I felt hesitant about abandoning everything to go back to Brimstone at this point.

Suddenly, a notification from Louisa appeared on my smartphone.

She informed me that the luxury vehicle had been canceled and returned to the car dealer.

She mentioned that she and Marco would be working late at the office tonight and wouldn't be coming home.

I spent the entire night lying awake in my bed.

The following morning, I arrived at work with an empty stomach from the previous night.

To my surprise, Louisa had left breakfast on my desk with a note attached to the bag.

[Marco and I are meeting clients and having lunch with them.]

The handwriting was unmistakably hers.

The breakfast container in the bag held a lamb sandwich, my least favorite.

It was clear that this wasn't something she had prepared specifically for me.

I passed the breakfast to my assistant and asked him to go out and buy me something else.

A relationship that had soured was like an unappetizing meal - there was no need to force oneself to consume it.

By 1 PM, I had finished processing all the paperwork, but Louisa was nowhere to be seen.

My assistant suddenly entered and casually mentioned, "Sir, I saw Ms. Louisa and her assistant dining on seafood. What would you like to eat? I can order for you."

I was momentarily taken aback and furrowed my brow. "Where did you spot them?"

My assistant waved his phone, looking surprised.

"On X, her assistant posted a message thanking Ms. Louisa for treating him to a tasty meal."

I lit a cigarette and exhaled a cloud of smoke.

Any guilt I had felt about impulsively agreeing to the blind date last night completely evaporated.

At 3 PM, Louisa entered my office, her high heels clicking on the floor.

Marco followed behind her.

"Lionel, I apologize, I didn't return from meeting with business partners at midday. I just had a quick bite outside. Have you eaten yet?"

I picked up the documents she brought and replied flatly, "Hmm."

She pulled out a chair and sat down, sighing.

"Lionel, I'm not sure how the news about the sports car spread in the company. The employees are all gossiping about Marco. Can you help explain the situation for Marco's sake, considering the big orders he secured today?"

My hand, poised to sign, paused as I looked up.

"Didn't you give him the car and he accepted it? Why should I, an outsider, clean up this mess?"

The woman's cool expression showed hints of frustration.

"You're the boss, Lionel, your words carry weight."

I leaned back in my chair and scoffed.

"Do you expect me to use my authority to silence the staff?"

Wasn't it natural for people to criticize a superior who gifted their assistant an expensive car?

Not only did he dare to accept it, but he also boldly posted about it on X and another social platform to show off.

Shouldn't they have anticipated such a reaction?

She was defending him.

She also wanted me to join her in defending him, despite my disgust.

Louisa, after our nine-year relationship, did you have any genuine feelings for me?

Marco, standing behind her, spoke up, "It's fine, Mr. Gilmore, a few rumors won't harm me."

"Mr. Gilmore is already swamped with work, so it's best not to bother him with these minor issues."

Louisa grew anxious. She frowned and said defensively, "How can this be a minor issue? You accompany me on business trips daily, and I don't want others criticizing you everywhere."

I tossed the document on the desk, interrupting their exchange.

"First off, a person with integrity has nothing to fear. If you, Louisa, are performing your duties fairly, rewarding him for bringing substantial profits to the company with a sports car is understandable."

"However, the reality is that the value of these orders is far less than that of a sports car."

"I don't care if you misjudged his contribution to the company or if you feel bad for him accompanying you on trips and driving every day. The company pays him a sufficient salary, and if it's not enough, he can request more, rather than you secretly using my sports car to compensate him."