Chapter 6

Mabel turned to Sidney but secretly tightened her grip on Elodie's trembling wrist.

She said, "I'm actually looking for a personal assistant. Why don't you join me, Ms. Dawson? As for the salary..."

Her red lips parted. "How about ten thousand dollars a month?"

Elodie suddenly looked up, finally catching the triumphant glint in Mabel's eyes.

Of course, Mabel knew exactly who Elodie was. She knew how her father died and probably even about her history with Sidney.

Now, Mabel wanted Elodie to witness her ex-lover showering the enemy's daughter with affection and to force her to accept this handout herself.

"I," Elodie stammered, her voice barely making it past her lips.

She could feel her throat constricting, the sickly tremor crawling up from her wrist all the way to her shoulders.

Elodie knew that she should say no.

"She's not suitable," Sidney suddenly cut in, his voice cold and unyielding.

Mabel scrunched up her lips, looking just like a grumpy little kitten.

"Why not? I think Ms. Dawson is just right," she said.

Mabel stretched out her words on purpose, her fingers drawing slow, suggestive circles in Elodie's palm.

Mabel added, "Besides, I'm sure we'll get along really well, won't we?"

"Someone like her, with that kind of past, can't possibly take care of you. I'd be worried," Sidney said.

Elodie's vision was swimming.

Elodie could see Mabel's lips moving and Sidney's brows furrowed, but their voices were just a distant buzz she couldn't make out.

Suddenly, her father's final words before he jumped exploded in her mind.

"Harvey, your whole family deserves to die." The voice was cold, merciless, and unforgiving.

"Ms. True," Elodie rasped, barely recognizing her own voice.

"I accept," she whispered.

It was like someone had hit pause.

Sidney stiffened up, while Mabel's smile froze for a heartbeat before growing even more dazzling.

"Perfect!" Mabel beamed.

"You can start tomorrow," she said.

Mabel hooked her arm through Sidney's, swinging it coquettishly.

"Sidney, we should go get ready for the ceremony," Mabel said in a playful tone.

Sidney gave Elodie one last lingering look.

For the rest of the night, hardly anyone paid Elodie any attention.

As the golden girl of True Group, Mabel was untouchable. Nobody dared to mess with her to her face.

But Elodie could still catch whispers drifting her way. About her father's death, the Dawson family's bankruptcy, and even why she was here, working as a server.

Elodie moved on autopilot, clearing plates one after another, her whole focus on keeping her trembling hands steady and forcing herself not to look at the perfect couple up on stage.

Mabel, dressed in a white gown, leaned against Sidney's shoulder, looking every bit the innocent princess.

But Elodie couldn't help herself. Her gaze kept wandering back to Sidney, who was quietly listening to Mabel speak.

For a brief moment, Sidney suddenly looked up, his eyes sweeping across the hall and colliding with Elodie's gaze.

Elodie's hand shook, and the silver fork slipped from her fingers, landing with a muffled thud on the carpet.

By the time the ceremony finally ended, Elodie was completely spent, every ounce of strength drained from her body.

The streetlights outside her building were so old they barely worked, their dim glow looking like it could give up the ghost any minute.

Elodie had been renting in this beat-up old block for three years, long since used to the never-ending greasy smell in the halls and the nonstop bickering from her neighbors.

Elodie strolled up to the building entrance, only to have a long, lean shadow slant across her path, blocking her way.

Sidney was leaning against a black Mercedes, the streetlight casting deep, uneven shadows across his chiseled features.

He had shed his suit jacket, leaving him in just a crisp white shirt with sleeves rolled up to his elbows, showing off his well-defined forearms.

The night breeze ruffled his hair, sending a few rebellious strands dancing in the wind.

The cigarette between his fingers was already half-smoked, and the ashtray was piled with four or five crushed butts.

Sidney had been waiting here for a long time.

Elodie froze right where she stood.

She had played out a thousand possibilities in her head, but not once did she ever expect to see him waiting for her here.

Sidney stood there, with her rundown apartment looming behind him and a luxury car worth a fortune gleaming in front.

Elodie lowered her eyes, pretending he wasn't even there, and edged to the side, hoping to slip past without being noticed.