Chapter 5 Women Were Different To Him

Last night, I had a falling-out with Caroline. Yet today, she spoke to me with a smile. I realized then that she was much craftier than I had initially thought.

Observing her closely, I noticed she wore the same outfit as yesterday, only adding a suit jacket. She hadn't been home. It wasn't hard to figure out where she might have spent the night.

I knew she wasn't interested in discussing work; she just wanted to show her connection with Richard.

But I couldn't say no right there in front of my coworkers. I glanced at my watch, then told her, "I've got a client meeting, so you've got fifteen minutes at most."

"Thank you, Elin," Caroline said with a sweet smile. "How about we head down to the cafe for a little chat? I'll treat you to a coffee!"

I mustered a friendly smile and played along, saying, "Sure, let's go."

Our law firm sat in a bustling commercial district, and the cafe downstairs was always crowded. It wasn't even ten in the morning yet. Most of the customers in the cafe were lined up by the counter, ready to grab their coffees. The place wasn't bustling with many seated customers.

I sat inside and encouraged, "Go on, tell me what's puzzling you."

"Elin, I don't think you're fond of me." Instead of diving into the file, Caroline fixed me with a grin. "Is it because I jumped on board with Zenith Group's case?"

"Should I be grateful for that?"

She wore a frown of frustration. "Zenith Group's case was originally mine."

She took out a velvet box from her purse, a big shining diamond ring. "Richard and I are engaged. We discussed how I'd handle the company's legal matters once we tie the knot. So, I just took it over in advance."

The ring, adorned with neatly arranged small diamonds, seemed like something Richard would choose.

I had misunderstood Richard again. It wasn't that he didn't love anyone; he just didn't love me.

Yesterday, this revelation would have crushed me. But today, I sobered up and remained indifferent. "Oh, that's wonderful. Congratulations."

"Elin..." Caroline tried to clarify. "I didn't intend to go against you. I tried to convince Richard to wait for a while, but he got impatient, so... I'm sorry."

As she spoke more, her voice quivered with increasing distress, almost reaching the point of tears.

But the more I listened, the more impatient I became. She was the one who had wronged me, taking both my job and my man, yet she played the victim as if I had caused her great suffering.

I didn't have to accept blame for others' mistakes, so I scoffed, "You're quite the performer. Ever considered a career in Hollywood instead of wasting your talents at Eternity Law Firm? It's been fifteen minutes. No need for tears. I've got other matters to attend to."

I had no interest in wasting my time with her. As I began to walk away, fate had other plans, and I spotted the last person I wanted to encounter.

Richard's expression was as frigid as ice, his intense gaze locked onto me. "What's your game?"

I glanced back at Caroline, tears streaming down her face, and my heart ached because of Richard's partiality. She was his love, and I was someone he played with.

Determined not to let him see through me, I lifted my chin and replied cheerfully, "What can I do? You're one of our valued clients, and I'm just an employee working at the law firm, doing my best to serve your company. Even if you push me aside, I still have to pass on Zenith Group's case to her, right?"

Richard's stare was unyielding. I smiled more politely. "I haven't laid a finger on her. The cameras here can confirm that. Check the footage if you doubt me."

With that, I held my head high and strode towards the door.

As I walked by Richard, he suddenly grabbed my wrist tightly. I had on a pair of high heels. His strong grip threw me off balance, and I tumbled into a nearby chair.

The chair screeched across the wooden floor, creating quite a racket. A few coffee-goers in line turned their heads to see what was happening.

Many of the people getting coffee there were employees of companies that partnered with our law firm. Worried about our professional image, I hesitated to stand up right away. Instead, I cautioned him, "Mr. Harvey, I've already passed on all the documents. I don't want to be mixed up in Zenith Group's matter. Please, let's not make a scene. I won't hesitate to call the police if needed."

Richard's voice was tight with anger. "You're the most shameless person I've ever met."

"Yes, that's me." I couldn't help but notice that more and more people were gathering around us. I even saw some people aiming their mobile phones in our direction. My instincts told me to leave quickly. "Mr. Harvey, I have work to attend to. Any further issues can be discussed with my replacement."

Richard remained motionless, his towering presence exerting an invisible pressure. "Out of respect for our past, I'll spare you the embarrassment."

His anger intensified as if he could crush me with his gaze. "If you keep pestering Caroline, don't blame me for being rude."