Chapter 3
After she asked. Harlan also frowned and looked at me.
I pulled my coat tighter around me, smiling faintly but not answering
Tamara continued. “Charlene, you’re wearing his coal. He must be your boyfriend, right? That’s why he’s being so considerate.”
As soon as she said that, Harlan shot me à glance, seemingly displeased.
I couldn’t be bothered with Tamara’s little mind games, so I simply grabbed Ashton’s sleeve and walked into the banquet hall with him.
The moment we entered, the hall fell silent for a brief second. People’s gazes flickered between Harlan and me, their eyes carrying a hint of
confusion.
I could understand why. After all, in the past five years, no one else had ever appeared by Harlan’s side.
Harlan pulled out a chair for Tamara, his actions affectionate and intimate. Sitting beside them, I seemed like a third wheel.
I returned Ashton’s coat. He had other guests to entertain, so he left after sitting for a while.
Once he was gone, Harlan’s childhood friend, Henry Colbert, shot me a mocking look before eagerly turning to Tamara. “When did you come hack!”
Tamara flashed a sweet smile. “Just in the past couple of days.”
Henry looked delighted. “We’ve all missed you these past few years. Now that you’re back, you’re staying for good, right?”
“Yes.” Tamara replied.
Henry glanced at me before smirking. “It’s great that
You’re back. Now that y
you’re here, no one can take your place.”
I raised an eyebrow. So I really was just Tamara’s replacement.
Realizing this, I suddenly felt lighter.
As I was thinking about it, a glass of wine was placed in front of me. Harlan’s voice was calm. “Tamara can’t drink.”
I frowned slightly and was just about to refuse when Henry sneered, “Charlene, now that you’ve got Ashton on your side, you don’t even care to show us respect anymore?”
I hated trouble. I lifted my gaze, staring at Harlan, hoping he would say something for me. But he remained indifferent and simply said, “We’re here for business. You’ll have to drink sooner or later.
He sounded so absolute. I held his gaze for a long moment before finally picking up the glass and downing the drink in one go.
His eyes darkened as he watched me, clearly displeased.
After that, the drinks kept coming
exf wine.
Tamara enjoyed socializing, and because of her, I ended up drinking a lot of
The alcohol was too strong, which made my stomach uncomfortable. Thus, I excused myself to the restroom.
The burning pain in my stomach inevitably reminded me of Lucas
He was the person who had loved and spoiled me the most–the one who had led me to cross paths with Harlan
Harlans face resembled Lucas’s eerily. But when he smiled, he wasn’t like Lucas at all.
Because when Lucas smiled at me, it was always full of warmth. When my stomach hurt, he would gently rub my belly, murmuring words of concem–unlike Harlan, whose eyes only ever held impatience.
If Lucas were here, he would be heartbroken for me right now.
I really wished he was still by my side.
Before long. Tamara walked over Before she even spok
she even spoke, her eyes had already reddened. Tim sorry, Charlene. I didn’t know you couldn’t bundle
h hurt too much for me to respond. Tamara, crying called Harlan. It didn’t take long
ing for him to arrive
told. Tamara in help me up, his expression Itulifferent. “It you can’t drink, then don’t. Why put yourself through that?
Chapter 3
I lifted my head and looked at him, my expression unchanged. “Wasn’t it you who told me to drink?” I asked
Hearing that, Tamara suddenly turned to me. “Charlene, is it because your boyfriend isn’t with you that you’re upset?” she asked.
I frowned slightly Boyfriend?
Was she referring to Ashton?
After saying that Tamara quickly covered her mouth and blinked at me. “Sorry, Charlene. I was just speaking nonsense. I just couldn’t think of any other reason–Well, let me take you to the hospital”
Before I could say anything, Harlan made the decision for me. “No need; she’s a doctor herself. It’s late; I’ll take you home first”
After saying that, his gaze fell on my face, dark and unreadable.
Tamara was stunned. She turned to me. “Are you really okay?”
pills dry
I ignored her and pulled out some medicine from my bag. Since I didn’t have any water, I had no choice but to swallow the pil
It was difficult to get them down
Watching my actions, Tamara suddenly spoke. “Charlene, so you knew your stomach would hurt in advance, huh?” Her tone was a little sharp.
I looked at her calmly. “I also know I’ll die one day. Should I just go dir now?
Tamara’s tears fell instantly. She clutched at Harlan’s sleeve, looking wronged, as if hoping he would speak up for her.
But Harlan didn’t say a word. Instead, he just stared at me with those icy
v eyes.
The pain in my stomach was unbearable. I didn’t want to waste any more time here, nor did I care what Harlan was thinking. I said, “Mr. Shannon, I’m requesting medical leave. Im going to the hospital.”
Without waiting for his response. I pulled out my phone and called a cab.
Once I got into the car, I leaned back against the seat, pressing a hand against my stomach.
I must have caught a cold. My fever climbed to 102°F, and I had to be admitted to the hospital for an IV
Half–conscious, I drifted in and out of sleep, but my phone kept ringing.
Annoyed by the noise. I finally pressed the answer button.
an IV drp
“Where are you?” he asked.
“I’m really tired, Harlan. If it’s not urgent, let’s talk tomorrow,” I said.
There w
was a pause, then his voice became colder. “Charlene, just a reminde
a reminder–your proposal isn’t finished yet
For a moment, my foggy mind cleared. Then I let out a soft chuckle. “What, do you w want me to go back and finish it for you now?” Harlan was silent for a few seconds. “I’ll bring it to you
I glanced at the IV needle in my hand and laughed. “Sure. Come on over
Then, I hung up
I deliberately didn’t tell him my location
If he really wanted to find me, he had to do it himself.
up in the middle of the night, I saw someone standing at my bedude.
as gro–gry at first, but the moment 1
(those cold eyes. I snapped awake
ind the Mankes tightly an
a bint of amuurmar
around me. “Harlan, why aren’t posa at home keeping Tamura company? What are you doing he
“Are you jealona?
ng my sleep.
656 PM
Chapter 3
Harlan pressed his lips together, his gaze instantly turning ice–cold. Then, without warning, he threw a stack of documents at me. The sharp edge of the paper scraped my lip, leaving a small cut.
I looked up at him. His expression was cold. “The proposal Have it ready by morning”
I touched my lip–there was blood.
“Mr. Shannon, overtime work should be compensated,” I said.
He sneered his face full of impatience. Tll pay you triple.”
With that, he turned and left.
I looked at the thick stack of documents and, despite my fever–clouded mind, forced myself to start working.
By the time I finished, the sun had already risen.
The next morning, I took the proposal to Harlan’s office and happened to see Tamara. She was sitting beside Harlan, smiling sweetly. “You don’t have to bring me breakfast every day. My stomach doesn’t hurt anymore.”
After saying that, she turned around as if she had just noticed me. “Charlene, why are you at work? Are you feeling better?”
Harlan’s gaze met mine, emotionless.
I ignored Tamara and told Harlan, I’m leaving the proposal here. Tim taking a sick day today.”
Harlan glanced at me and approved it
I turned and left.
Faintly, I heard Tamara ask Harlan, “Does Charlene not like mer
I didn’t know how Harlan answered.
Back home, I took a fever–reducing pill and slept deeply.
e in the morning.
By the time I woke up again, it was already past one in
I couldn’t fall back asleep, so I picked up my phone and started scrolling through videos.
After just a couple of swipes, two familiar faces appeared on my screen.
In the video. Harlan and Tamara’s faces flashed by
I took a closer look and realized the video was posted by Natalie. Her caption read: [The new exchange student is truly excellent–seamlessly securing a major deal for us. Mr. Shannon is treating us to a five–star dinner|||||
My heart sank instantly. A bad feeling crept over me.
I didn’t even have the patience to watch Harlan and Tamara’s public display of affection. Instead, I quickly opened WhatsApp to check the work group chat.
One glance, and I saw that I had been removed from n the group handling the ant
group handling the Regal Corporation collaboration
The last message before 1 was kicked out was from Tamura,
She had written: [The proposal is ready. Mr. Woodard, do you have time to discuss?]
The Mr. Woodard she referred to was Zed Woodard, the General Manager of the Regal Corporation and the key contact for the collaboration.
In that instant, I understood exactly what had happened.
G
