Chapter 6

The next morning, Rona arrived at the office half an hour earlier than usual.

The hallway was almost empty, except for the janitor pushing a cart that jingling faintly.

She stood in front of her office with her hand hovering over the handle of the office door, thinking about the peculiar message from Khloe.

The sound of the key turning in the lock echoed loudly in the silent corridor.

As the door opened slightly, she heard the soft rustlings of clothes and a woman's suppressed laughter.

Rona's hand froze on the doorknob.

Through the narrow gap, she saw her office chair facing away from the door. Darren's arm was draped over the armrest. His hand with prominent knuckles was clasping a delicate wrist.

Khloe was straddling his lap. Her long hair cascaded down, obscuring half her face, but through her hair her exposed neck glowed with a suggestive pink.

"Stop it," Darren's voice was low and hoarse. His tone suggested that he was passionate, as Rona had heard it for many times before. "This is Rona's office."

"Isn't it more exciting this way?" Khloe murmured against his ear, already undoing the top button of his shirt. "Didn't you say she's taking the day off?"

Indeed, she had messaged Darren the previous night about her health examination today.

It was a ruse to get him out of the way for Khloe's outrageous rendezvous.

Darren didn't reply. But the chair swayed slightly.

Khloe tilted her head back, her red lips grazing his chin.

From this angle, Rona could clearly see the smug smile playing on Khloe's lips and the challenging look in her eyes as they met Rona's gaze.

Khloe had known Rona was standing there all along.

Rona felt her stomach twisted painfully, as if someone had punched her on it.

For three years, this desk had witnessed countless secret moments between her and Darren.

He had slipped into her office unnoticed and hugged her from her back. They had exchanged many kisses with the tasted of coffee behind the blinds. Once, when they were working very late, he had even pinned her against this very desk...

Now, another woman was sitting there.

Khloe deliberately slowed her movements, looking at Rona while touching Darren's collarbone.

As Rona stepped back, she hit a potted plant. The ceramic pot hit the floor with a dull thud.

"What was that noise?" Darren's husky voice now carried a hint of desire.

"Nothing," Khloe giggled, pulling him back. "Probably just the janitor."

Rona fled swiftly.

In the break room, she twisted the faucet open, letting the icy water flow over her trembling fingers.

She looked at the woman in the mirror, who had red-rimmed eyes and was stubbornly refusing to let the tears fall.

She had known this day would come. Yet seeing it with her own eyes felt like a blunt knife slowly slicing through her heart.

"Ms. Lewis?" Kaiden's voice came from behind her. "Are you alright?"

Rona turned off the faucet and grabbed a paper towel to dry her hands. "I'm fine. Just got something in my eye."

"Mr. Williams was looking for you just now." Kaiden offered her a document. "He said you need to review this contract."

Rona took the document. It was the quarterly report with her resignation letter tucked inside.

She turned to the last page and found the letter wasn't signed.

"Where is he now?" Rona asked.

"In the meeting room with Khloe." Kaiden hesitated. "Ms. Lewis, you don't look well."

Rona forced a faint smile. "Could you make me a cup of coffee?"

In her office, Khloe's perfume lingered in the air.

Rona opened all the windows to let the cold wind sweep away the cloying scent.

She sat at her computer and printed another copy of her resignation letter. But this time she placed it on top of the documents.

At noon, Darren entered, carrying the chill of the meeting room with him.

He paused when he saw Rona. "Why didn't you let me know you were here?"

Rona didn't look up. "I heard you were busy."

Darren approached her and placed a stack of papers on the desk. "You need to sign these."

Rona pushed the prepared documents towards him. "Perfect timing. You too."

Darren casually flipped through the papers, stopping at a normal procurement contract.

He picked up a pen and smoothly signed his name on the contract.

Suddenly, he halted his pen over Rona's resignation letter.

He frowned at her. "What's this?"

"A new HR procedure. All executives must resign their contracts."

Darren was about to scrutinize the content when the office door swung open. Khloe's sweet voice chimed in. "Darren, Mr. Sanders is waiting for you for the meeting."

Darren frowned. "Wasn't it scheduled for the afternoon?"

Despite his words, he rose swiftly.

After taking a couple of steps toward Khloe, he suddenly remembered he hadn't signed Rona's contract.

He quickly grabbed the document, glanced at it briefly, and signed his name.

He then hurriedly handed it back to Rona and walked towards Khloe.

Khloe was leaning against the doorframe. Her gaze drifted past Darren to Rona. And a faint smile played on her lips.

Rona quietly tucked away the signed resignation letter and left the office without looking back.

In the corridor, she heard Khloe's words with feigned concern. "Darren, does Ms. Lewis have something against me?"

Rona paused briefly. Then she faintly heard Darren's voice. "That's just how she is. Don't mess with her..."

As the elevator doors closed, Rona finally allowed herself to exhale deeply.

After the night, a dark dawn awaited on the horizon...