Chapter 2
There was a time when he'd defended me just like that, standing by my side without a second thought.
I had worked for Eden's father for several years before Eden himself joined the company.
By then, I was already the Director of Investment.
He was vibrant, outgoing, and full of youthful energy.
When he spoke, he'd look straight into my eyes. His smile was gentle.
In the office, no matter what decision I made, he supported and executed it without question.
He always saw things from my perspective, breaking down the walls I built around myself.
"Don't worry about who I am. Just know I'll always have your back, so go out there and shine," he said.
*****
"Need I remind you, Katherine, that you too started as an intern and worked your way up?"
His sarcasm cut through my silence, as if trying to jolt me to my senses by putting me down.
Too bad.
I wasn't buying it.
"Thanks for the reminder. It makes me realize I've been exceptional since my internship days."
Eden was momentarily speechless.
My track record in the company spoke for itself.
Beside him, Elliana looked up with tearful eyes and said in a small voice, "Ms. Williams... you think I'm incompetent, don't you?"
She clutched Eden's sleeve, looking utterly wronged.
"I've been trying my best to learn, really. But for some reason, no one seems willing to teach me properly. I've had to sneak glances while others work..."
As Elliana began to cry, Eden's heart seemed to ache right along with her, and his anger toward me intensified.
His gaze turned icy. "Every other intern knows how to use the printer. Only Elliana doesn't. Did you tell people not to help her? Are you making things difficult for her?"
I was taken aback.
Even after three years together, it was only now dawning on me how little we truly understood each other.
I couldn't be bothered to argue.
Turning toward the printer, I opened the lid, loaded the paper, closed it, and pressed print.
The whole process was straightforward.
By the time I turned around, files in hand, Eden looked visibly uncomfortable.
As I straightened the papers, I caught Elliana's gaze, nothing but uncomplicated ignorance in her eyes.
"No one is obliged to teach you. If you can't handle learning without someone holding your hand, maybe you should go back to preschool, where they cater to that level of dependency."
With that, I walked away.
Behind me, Elliana burst into loud sobs and threw herself into Eden's arms.
If there was one thing Eden excelled at, it was comforting girls.
The next morning, during the company meeting, Eden, in his capacity as General Manager, announced Elliana's promotion to Vice President of a subsidiary.
The conference room buzzed with shock.
"Vice President? That puts her on the same level as Ms. Williams, doesn't it?"
"But Ms. Williams spent two years at headquarters before becoming Director. Elliana has only been here a few weeks!"
A senior employee spoke up cautiously, "Mr. Ross, Elliana hasn't even completed her probation. She isn't a formal employee yet. Promoting her to VP... isn't that a bit inappropriate?"
Eden's expression darkened. He tapped his pen sharply against the table, and the room fell silent instantly.
"Since when do I need your approval to appoint a VP?"
He glanced briefly in my direction.
"Ms. Williams, do you have any objections to this appointment?"
I shrugged lightly. "None."
"None."
After all, I'd be returning to headquarters soon.
Whether she was a VP or not made no difference to me.
Eden gripped his pen tightly, his expression unreadable.
The room was once again engulfed in silence, until Elliana herself broke it.
"Thank you for your trust, Mr. Ross," she said sweetly. "I'll work hard and not let you down.
"Everyone, please treat me the same as before. There's no need to act differently just because of my new title. I'm not that kind of strict leader."
Finally, she turned to me with a faint smile.
"I look forward to working with you, Ms. Williams. If there's anything I'm not doing well, please don't hesitate to point it out. And please... don't go easy on me just because of my relationship with Mr. Ross."
Having said that, she winked playfully at Eden.
Her attempt at sounding humble only revealed her newly inflated sense of self-importance.
But with Eden backing her, no one dared to say a word.
Those who couldn't stomach it simply lowered their heads in silence.
Just before the meeting ended, Eden stopped me.
"Yes?"
He paused, then spoke softly, "I want you to swap offices with Elliana."
"Fine," I said.
Eden seemed caught off guard, his expression darkening.
My old office was right across from his. Aside from reviewing project files, all I'd see all day was his face. Honestly, I'd had enough of that view.