Chapter 1
I stumbled upon Lamar Stafford’s engagement announcement on Facebook.
In the photo, he stood side by side with his fiancée, Lamar still wearing that impeccable smile of his, while the girl looked incredibly sweet, seemingly genuine in her happiness.
The comments said they were a match made in heaven.
I lowered my gaze and liked the comment.
Lamar and his fiancée’s family businesses had merged and gone public, weren’t they a perfect match?
Even as I thought this sarcastically, I couldn’t help but feel a dull ache in my heart.
One day last month, Lamar came back and brought me a bouquet of roses.
He was drunk, his ears red, and he could barely speak clearly.
Alcohol blurred his senses, and the look in his eyes when he turned to me was no longer indifferent.
Lamar held the roses in front of me.
“Alexandra, I’m wealthy now, marry me.”
This was drunken talk, not to be taken seriously.
Both Lamar and I knew that.
But once the words were spoken, letting them hang in the air would have been embarrassing.
I stood there, unsure of how to respond.
Lamar had already thrown the flowers on the ground and picked me up to carry me to the bedroom.
That night, his movements were especially fierce, filled with anger.
...
A knock sounded in the office.
“Ms. Harmon, the CEO wants to see you.”
I stopped my reminiscing, holding the documents that I hadn’t finished in the morning, and approached his desk.
Lamar was frowning, dealing with official business, as if he didn’t see me at all.
I had to gently knock on his desk.
“What does Mr. Stafford need me for?”
Lamar finally deigned to look up from his pile of documents.
“Take this form to the finance department and have them review it again.”
“I have a meeting this afternoon; arrange the time and venue in advance.”
I nodded, handing him the documents.
“These are the files you didn’t finish this morning; I’ve highlighted the key points.”
Lamar nodded slightly, making a dismissive gesture.
I took the hint and turned to close the office door and left.
The new assistant rushed up to me as soon as he saw me, clutching his chest dramatically.
“Alexandra, you’re finally here. The company lost a deal today, and Mr. Stafford was furious.”
“I’ve been scolded several times, and it’s only when you come that Mr. Stafford has a pleasant expression.”
The assistant was half envious, half flattering.
Lamar didn’t have a pleasant expression when he saw me, but I didn’t bother to explain.
I gave a faint smile and patted his shoulder.
“Mr. Stafford is just that kind of person; as long as you do your job well, he won’t cause any trouble.”
The assistant nodded, his eyes filled with determination.
I glanced at him and went back to work.
I’ve been with Lamar’s company since I graduated from university, working for five years.
Both Lamar and I are strong-willed; he refused to accept help from his family and started his business alone.
I also refused his offer to keep me in luxury, preferring to be a stranger in the company.
From assistant to secretary to director, although Lamar promoted me, it was mostly due to my own efforts.
But Lamar is engaged now.
I’m considering whether I should switch jobs.
