Chapter 3 The Breaking Point

Within a heartbeat, Caitlin composed herself, her face settling into its usual calm.

She forced a polite, practiced smile and gave Vernon a slight nod. "Mr. Jenkins, I'm just here to drop off a document for Mr. Mason."

Vernon blinked, momentarily caught off guard, and moved aside without a word.

As she stepped into the room, her eyes briefly met Isaac's. The thick carpet muffled her footsteps as she approached.

She avoided his gaze and held out the file with both hands. "Mr. Mason, here's the proposal Robert wanted me to deliver. He asked you to sign it."

Her voice was clipped and distant, her posture straight and professional, as though she were speaking to a stranger, not her own husband.

A strange irritation stirred in Isaac's chest, though he couldn't figure out the reason.

Their marriage was nothing more than a secret, hollow agreement-no celebration, no vows, no real commitment.

But whenever Caitlin slipped into her role too perfectly, acting like none of it mattered, it unsettled him. As if she didn't care.

He took the document, gave it a quick glance, and signed it without hesitation. "Thanks," he said simply.

Caitlin accepted it and turned to leave, showing not the slightest hint of hesitation or regret.

Once outside, she quietly placed the signed file on Robert's desk.

Entering the break room, she reached for her phone and texted Phyllis, asking how her mother was doing.

Phyllis replied, saying her mother's condition was stable that morning, but warned her to arrange payment soon-the hospital was pushing for it.

Caitlin wiped away the sting in her eyes, took a shaky breath, and slipped her phone back into her pocket.

A moment later, a few employees entered the break room chatting casually.

They didn't see Caitlin tucked quietly in the corner and started talking without restraint.

"Did you hear? Emmalyn's back! The superstar herself."

"That's old news! Mr. Mason gifted her a yacht, and he even named it after her."

"He totally spoils her."

"Obviously! She's from the influential Rowe family, and she and Mr. Mason practically grew up side by side. If she hadn't gone abroad for her career, they would've been married a long time ago."

"But what's going on with Mr. Mason and Caitlin then? Someone saw her stepping out of his car once. Rumor is she's trying to seduce him..."

"Please. Have you ever seen Mr. Mason act like he actually likes her? Even if they did hook up, he's just messing around. Now that his real girlfriend's back, Caitlin's out of the picture."

"She needs a reality check. Who does she think she is, acting like she suddenly matters?"

...

The coffee in Caitlin's hand had gone cold, and her palm felt chilled.

Just then, the woman who had been the most sarcastic finally noticed Caitlin sitting quietly in the corner.

"Well, well, look who's been eavesdropping. Ms. Hewitt herself!"

Caitlin knew the voice. It was Leanne Barnett from HR, a known Emmalyn fanatic.

Honestly, most of what Caitlin had ever heard about Isaac and Emmalyn's history had come straight from Leanne's endless gossiping.

But she had no interest in hearing more. She stood quietly, picked up her cup, and turned to leave.

Leanne, however, wasn't finished. She stepped in Caitlin's way, smirking. "What's wrong? Can't handle the truth? When Emmalyn marries Mr. Mason, are you going to wish the ground would just open up and swallow you?"

Caitlin stayed silent, but Leanne's taunts only escalated. "Oh, I see what's going on. You're just here to be some rich man's toy. If it's not Mr. Mason, maybe one of the other older executives at Mason Group? Is that your type?"

Caitlin turned slowly, her eyes like ice. "Leanne. You'd better watch what you say."

Caitlin hardly ever raised her voice, but in that moment, something about her presence was enough to make the air feel heavier.

Leanne laughed and looked around at the others. "See that? She's getting all defensive now. I must've hit a nerve. Bet she's already looking for her next sugar daddy..."

Before she could finish, Caitlin's hand flew up and landed a hard slap across her face.

The crack echoed through the room as Leanne's head jerked to the side, a bright red handprint blooming on her cheek. She turned back slowly, eyes wide in shock. "Did you just hit me?"