Chapter 131

Her expression was one of desperate pleading, her eyes imploring. She couldn’t afford to jeopardize her hard-won job in this situation.

Lucius’s heart softened as he saw her despairing expression. He had planned to claim her immediately, but he was now willing to wait a little longer.

“Make sure you come up after work. Don’t force me to come looking for you,” he instructed before turning and shutting the door.

Violet lingered outside for a moment before descending the stairs.

“Vivi, did the president give you trouble?” Estelle asked upon her return.

Having not actually met the president, Violet shook her head. “Not really.”

“That’s good,” Estelle said, oblivious to the turmoil within Violet. She gently patted her shoulder and said, “Back to work now.”

Violet returned to her workspace.

Having recently wept in the restroom, Emily looked up with reddened eyes. Despite working for the same company, there was a clear difference between the sisters.

Violet was skilled and well-liked by the boss, while the other couldn’t complete even a simple assignment.

Emily was embarrassed by the sharp contrast. Violet’s employment at the same company was frustrating to her.

Everyone started leaving the office at the end of the workday, though Violet stayed late for overtime.

Oliver’s arrival in the office captured everyone’s attention. Everyone here knew his close relationship with Emily.

“Emily, your boyfriend’s here,” someone noted.

As Emily turned toward Oliver, she noticed his gaze not on her, but through the glass wall, directed at a specific area in the design office.

Tightening her grip, she quickly approached, calling out, “Oliver!”

Only when Oliver finally faced her did he offer a gentle smile.

+15 BONOS “He’s not Just my boyfriend, but my flancé,” Emily declared openly with a broad grin, her voice loud enough for the whole office to hear.

The envious glances from her colleagues were hard to miss.

Oliver didn’t object. He maintained a soft gaze, though he no longer focused his gaze on Violet. ” We should go now.”

“Hold on!” Emily reached out, glancing in Violet’s direction. “Violet, why don’t you join us?”

Her donor was playful, giving an air of sincerity to her invitation.

Without even looking up, Violet declined, “We’re not exactly headed in the same direction, are we?”

Awkwardly, Emily’s expression turned to one of hurt as she came closer and said, “Violet, haven’t you been angry with us long enough? Please, let’s go home.”

Was Emily implying that Violet was the troublemaker here?

Violet nearly burst into laughter. Wasn’t it Emily who had falsely accused her of ruining her voice and spreading rumors about her?

She retorted sarcastically, “Emily, perhaps acting is your true calling. You may not be cut out for lead roles, but as a supporting actor, you’d be perfect.”

“Violet!”

Oliver finally lost his temper. His formerly gentle eyes were now filled with disappointment.

“That’s enough!” he chided.

In his perspective, Violet was being unreasonable.

Violet felt a pang of hurt from his disapproving look, tightly clutching her fingers beneath her sleeve. She was acutely aware that Emily’s act was all for Oliver’s sake, but her pride prevented her from playing along.

“Oliver,” Emily intervened softly, gently pulling him. “Violet’s just in a bad mood. Please don’t be harsh with her.”

Eventually, Oliver refrained from further comment and exited the office, firmly holding Emily’s hand and not letting go.

Violet watched them leave, and sighed bitterly. She had once dreamed of being the one Oliver would lead like that. Life’s twists can be cruel.

At the door, Oliver paused, affectionately stroking Emily’s hair.

+15 BONOS “Are you tired?” he asked.

“No, not at all,” Emily lied.

In truth, she was exhausted, but she couldn’t admit it to him.

Concerned, he suggested, “Perhaps you should quit. You may not be tired, but seeing it pains me.”

Emily’s response was heartfelt. “One must try to stand on their own. My singing career is over, but I’m sure I’ll find my worth elsewhere.”

Secretly, she was eager to leave, but Oliver’s words motivated her to demonstrate her resilience.

“Emily, your strength sometimes hurts me, but I’m glad I chose you,” Oliver said as he hugged her and reassured her. “Thank you for being there for me and waking me up.”

Violet had gotten up from her desk to go get some water. She happened to witness this scene and overhear Oliver’s love confession. Her heart ached involuntarily.

Despite her declaration that she had let go of Oliver, she wasn’t built of steel and couldn’t remain unaffected. His remarks continued to sting her.

She could only imagine Oliver’s disdain if he discovered it was her who had stayed by his side.

Shaking off these thoughts, Violet returned to her work with renewed focus.

By ten o’clock, Lucius had grown restless in his wait for Violet.

He had even skipped his dinner, anticipating her arrival. Yet, there was no sign of her.

Unaccustomed to waiting, his irritation and hunger intensified.

He abruptly grabbed his coat and stormed out.

Violet was deeply engrossed in her work, and lost track of time. Of course, she had forgotten her earlier promise to Lucius too.

Bang! The office’s glass door shattered under a fierce kick.

Violet was startled enough by the loud bang that she nearly knocked her computer off the desk.

She instinctively covered her head and prepared to flee, believing it was a robbery. Then, she saw the man standing at the door.

He stood among the shattered glass, his expression grave, as if about to eat someone.