Chapter 3

Caldwell's compensation came in the form of desserts from Skyler's cake shop.

Various cakes filled our break room.

One of the women on my team let out a long sigh.

"Does Mr. Caldwell own this shop or something? Why is it always this stuff!"

I couldn't help but laugh sarcastically. "Maybe one of the employees saved his life."

Everyone rarely heard me speak in such a tone. They exchanged glances.

I didn't continue. Instead, I pressed the elevator button and went downstairs to the coffee shop.

It was during work hours, so there weren't many people.

Skyler always looked carefree, nothing like the typical corporate drone.

Today she seemed especially happy.

"Nivea! I'm about to be promoted to shop owner!"

"Today's my last day working here. This one's on me!"

Her smile was practically overflowing.

Something ugly began to crawl through my heart like ants. It was jealousy.

Jealousy drove me to open my phone's voice recorder under Skyler's curious gaze.

"You said if I had proof of a breakup, I could get free coffee from you. Does that still stand?"

Skyler looked pleasantly surprised at first.

"Of course! Congrats—"

Before she could finish, she heard my voice from the recording.

"Let's get divorced, Caldwell."

Her face went white as a sheet.

"Looks like you knew he was married."

Skyler frantically shut off the recording.

She wanted to explain, but having no mental preparation, her words came out jumbled.

"No, I... I didn't mean to..."

The other customers in the shop seemed to smell drama and gradually gathered around.

"Skyler, you're about to have your own coffee shop. Congratulations."

"But do you know how you got that position?"

My voice was just loud enough for everyone present to hear clearly.

"Last night, Caldwell had his assistant contact your regional headquarters, promising long-term cooperation."

"On the condition that this shop be handed over to 'the person most familiar with their needs'—meaning you."

The color drained from Skyler's face inch by inch.

"Is this your girl-boss script? Enjoying someone else's husband helping you meet your KPIs with one click?"

"Is this your girl-boss script? Using someone else to exchange resources, easily getting your first shop?"

By this point, the onlookers understood everything.

"A homewrecker! Disgusting!"

Someone spat directly onto Skyler's shoe.

She flinched and completely broke down.

"Stop it, stop it, please stop!"

Seeing her like this, I felt bored. I really had no desire to continue the confrontation.

I was about to turn and leave when I saw Caldwell rushing over.

"Smack!"

The moment the slap landed, everything spun. I collapsed to the floor and couldn't get up for a long time.

Well, no need to pity Skyler anymore. I was in far worse shape than her.

"Caldwell! Tell them I'm not a mistress, I'm not..."

Skyler cried like a helpless little rabbit.

Seeing people still taking photos, Caldwell took off his jacket and threw it over her head.

He carefully sheltered the girl in his arms and ushered her behind the counter, telling the other staff to take good care of her.

Only then did he come to stand before me. "In a moment, you're going to cooperate with me and apologize to Skyler."

Caldwell crouched in front of me, making a show of helping me up, but the words that reached my ears chilled my heart.

"And if I say no?"

Blood trickled from the corner of my mouth. I looked at him defiantly.

He smiled gently, speaking softly by my ear as if whispering sweet nothings:

"Then I might have to transfer Radiance's Valentine's Day project to Glamour, your competitor."