Chapter 4 The Broken Heart

On a quiet evening, Debby sat alone in her room, deep in thought.

"I've tried everything to win this guy's heart, but he seems unreachable," she muttered. "Could it be that he's finally chosen Efi now that she's part of the executive team? This is bad. But I won't give up-there's more hope for a living dog than a dead lion. Even if he chooses Efi, I believe I can still convince him. I don't know what's wrong with me-I'm falling sick over this man. I must see him tomorrow. I don't care what happens."

The next day, after the executive meeting, everyone returned to their duty posts. Efi, noticing Maxwell's cheerful mood, saw an opportunity.

Let me go to him now while he's happy. Maybe he'll give me his attention, Efi thought.

She approached Maxwell. "Wow, what a great success today's meeting was!"

"Thanks," Maxwell replied politely.

"Maxwell, I'm here about what I told you the other day. I came for an answer," Efi said.

Maxwell looked puzzled. "What was it? I can't remember. You know I've been burdened with so many things lately."

"I told you I love you, Maxwell. Am I not beautiful enough? Don't I deserve someone like you?"

Maxwell responded, "Yes, you are beautiful."

She smiled. "Then please, give my love a place in your heart." She reached out and touched his hand, gently trying to place it on her shoulder.

"It's okay, you're going too far," Maxwell said, stepping back.

"I'm sorry," Efi murmured, pulling her hand away. "So, you still don't have an answer for me?"

"Not now," Maxwell replied.

Immediately, tears began to fall from Efi's eyes. Just then, Sofia and Bright walked in and saw her.

"Efi, what happened? Is something wrong?" Sofia asked. "This is a day of joy-why are you crying?"

"Nothing... I'm okay," Efi said and quickly left.

Maxwell stood silently with Sofia and Bright.

"Maxwell, what's going on? Why was she crying?" Bright asked.

"I'll explain to you both later. But please, do me a favor-go meet Mr. Helen and collect the gift cards," Maxwell replied.

On their way to Mr. Helen's place, Sofia turned to Bright. "What do you think just happened?"

"I have no idea. It was strange seeing Efi in tears," Bright replied.

"I'll ask her when I get back to the office," said Sofia.

"Hmm... do you think she'll open up to you?" Bright asked.

"Till then," Sofia answered, and their conversation ended as they reached Mr. Helen's house.

Meanwhile, Maxwell sat in his office, troubled.

Why did Efi cry like that over love? he wondered. Is this how love intoxicates? These ladies are trying to destroy me with seduction. First Jimmy, then Debby, and now Efi-all in the same company. Something isn't right. Could it be a bet?

As Maxwell sat meditating, awaiting Bright and Sofia's return, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," he called out.

The door opened. Lo and behold-it was Debby. She walked in smiling, wearing revealing clothes.

"Good afternoon, Maxwell," she said.

"Afternoon," Maxwell replied, startled. What is this again? Am I the only man in this company? He thought. And no one is around. If I shout, she might scream and try to implicate me.

"Maxwell, I came to invite you to dinner. Work's over for the day," she said. "Am I not welcome?"

"You are... not welcome," Maxwell replied firmly.

"You must be joking," Debby said, her tone turning serious. "Today is today. You'll cooperate and spend time with me now-or I'll tear off my clothes, scream, and implicate you. Your choice."

"No, no... Debby," Maxwell said quickly.

Debby pressed on. "Let me ask you a few questions. Am I not attractive enough to be with you?"

"You are," Maxwell admitted.

"Are you a eunuch?"

"No, I'm not."

"Was it wrong for me to approach you myself?"

"No, it wasn't."

"Then why have you rejected all my proposals?" she asked desperately with tears.

"Debby, honestly, you're beautiful-but I can't be with you."

"Why?" she demanded.

"Because we're coworkers in the same company. You, Jimmy, and Efi have all been pursuing me. Who knows-maybe you're all playing some game with me. And as your boss, I must be very careful. I could suspend or fire any of you, but I won't. You're a fine woman, but I can't love you."

"It's okay, Maxwell," Debby said quietly. "I made the biggest mistake of my life approaching you. If I'd known, I wouldn't have gone this far or allowed your love to take root in my heart."

She stormed out of his office, tears streaming down her face.

On her way home, Debby had a car accident. The next day, the report reached the company. Doctors later revealed she had been under severe depression. She fell into a coma for days before eventually regaining consciousness.

The company sent staff daily to check on her, but Maxwell was distraught.

"This is my fault," he confessed. "I caused this."

Maxwell visited the hospital with Sofia and Bright. But before they arrived, Debby, in pain, told the doctor, "Never let Maxwell see me. He caused this."

At the hospital, the doctor refused Maxwell entry. Only Sofia and Bright were allowed in. Debby, however, said nothing to them.

Outside, Sofia asked, "Mr. Maxwell, why weren't you allowed to see her? Something's wrong."

Maxwell sighed. "I caused the accident."

Bright gasped. "How? What did you do? And why didn't you help her when it happened?"

Sitting in the car with them, Maxwell explained, "Yesterday, Deborah officially proposed to me. I turned her down. She begged me, cried-but I insisted. She left heartbroken. On her way home, the accident happened."

Bright shook his head. "Mr. Maxwell... this is serious." You could have told her "I will think over it" Not a straight answer works always.

Weeks later, Debby was discharged and granted a month's leave for recovery. But almost every day, she cried over what love had cost her. She had loved-but wasn't loved in return.

After her leave, Debby returned to work and went straight to her duty post. At lunch, Maxwell approached her to apologize. But before he could say a word, Debby began crying.

"Please leave," she said.

Maxwell said quietly, "Everything that happened-was because of your own choices. I never asked you to love me."

Debby grew furious and shouted at him.

Maxwell returned to his office. Shortly after, Bright approached Debby and tried to calm her down. He took her out for lunch with Sofia. But it meant nothing to Debby.

The next day, she returned to the office-only to submit her resignation letter to Maxwell.

"I can't keep working here, seeing you every day," she said. "I need to move on with my life. But I promise-you'll pay for what you did to me. I was foolish to love you, yes. But you, Maxwell, were cruel to tell me it wasn't your business. You could've simply said 'No' with kindness. The battle line has been drawn. Goodbye."

Debby stormed out of the office, packed her belongings, and said goodbye to everyone.

It came as a shock to Sofia and Bright.

Bright turned to Sofia. "Debby is planning something against Maxwell. She'll fight fiercely to bring him down."

"You're right," Sofia said.

Maxwell remained silent in his office for hours.

Questions:

Will Maxwell ever search for Debby again?

What can Debby do to Maxwell?

Will the other ladies finally give up on being in a relationship with Maxwell?