Chapter 2

That evening, the project manager, Joseph Field, said the team was going out for dinner.

I thought it was just a normal celebration, but turns out Charlotte was picking up the tab.

"Wow, this place is fancy. Well, when the Sterling Corporation heiress is treating... We're all lucky Leonard hooked us up," one of the team joked.

Everyone was all smiles, crowding around Leonard and Charlotte, calling them a match made in heaven.

I slipped away to a corner, staring at all the mouthwatering food on the table, but I just couldn't stomach a single bite.

"Olivia, Leonard's told me so much about you. Now that I've finally met you, you're just as impressive as I pictured," Charlotte said, offering me a glass of wine.

Her tone was pure provocation, and she raised her eyebrow, looking at me like she'd already won.

"Sorry, I don't drink," I replied.

I instinctively glanced at Leonard. He knew I was severely allergic to alcohol. Just a few sips would cover me in hives.

The whole table went silent. Everyone knew exactly how complicated things were among the three of us.

"Ms. Summers, you're really famous now. What, is my toast not good enough for you?" Charlotte said, her tone laced with mockery.

She leaned in, shoving the glass right up to my face, refusing to back down.

I clenched my jaw and shoved her hand away.

"It's not personal. Everyone here knows I don't drink. I appreciate the gesture, but I really can't," I said, keeping my voice polite.

I thought I'd handled it well enough. I didn't want to make things awkward during my last days.

Some of the team, uncomfortable with the tension, finally spoke up for me.

"It's true, Olivia never drinks," one said.

"Yeah, I've never seen her drink. I heard she's allergic," another chimed in.

With everyone watching, Charlotte had no choice but to back off.

But just as she was about to put the glass down, Leonard took it from her and held it out to me again.

"Olivia, Sterling Corporation is funding this project. Can't you even show this basic respect?" His voice was cutting.

When I stayed frozen, his patience clearly ran out.

"I told you before, you should learn some gratitude. Sterling Corporation might not run the show in tech development, but they certainly have the power to reshape this team," he said, his tone cold and unmistakably threatening.

He wasn't even trying to hide it anymore.

His words hit like sharp slaps. The resolve I'd been clinging to was finally starting to crack.

My hand shook as I grabbed the glass and knocked back the drink in one go.

The burning liquid scorched its way down my throat, like fire tearing me up from the inside out.

The noise came roaring back, with everyone showering Charlotte with compliments.

Leonard didn't bother pretending anymore. Charlotte was the only one who mattered to him now.

My head throbbed, ready to split open. I barely held back my tears as I rushed out of the restaurant.

I had barely walked a few steps before my stomach revolted, and I ended up puking my guts out by the side of the road.

Tears mixed with vomit streaked my face as I curled up, clutching my head and sobbing. People passing by stared, probably thinking I'd lost my mind, and hurried away.

Right then, it hit me just how stupid I'd been.

Back home, I was treated like a princess, but I threw it all away and met Leonard, thinking he was my soulmate, only to end up having it tough.

On impulse, I dialed Dad's number, but the moment he answered, I chickened out and hung up.

Over the past three years, they must have been so disappointed in me. Maybe they'd already made up their minds to disown me, to erase me from their lives for good.

Just then, my phone lit up. It was Dad calling me back.

I answered, my hands trembling. Before I could get a word out, his familiar voice filled my ear.

"Liv, you finally called me," he said, relief and warmth flooding his voice.

He went on, "Your mom and I miss you so much. Are you still upset with us?"

"It's all our fault. If we'd just listened to you more, you wouldn't have run off like that," he said, his voice full of regret.

"I can set up a company for you. Whatever you want to do, I'll support you. No more restrictions," he added, his tone warm and reassuring.

Hearing him say that, I just broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Dad, I was wrong. I shouldn't have been so stubborn." I choked out, my voice trembling.

"Once I finish the Miles project, I'll come home. I promise. I really miss you both," I said, my heart aching.