Chapter 4

I was shaking with rage.

"That won't benefit Radiance at all!"

Switching teams at the last minute was a move that would hurt both sides.

But Caldwell smiled like a devil.

"Remember, you're the one who made this mess."

"I don't really care. As long as Skyler isn't hurt, Radiance can handle it."

"Can you?"

I desperately wanted to be selfish just this once, regardless of my career.

But thinking of those young faces on my team, their complete trust and reliance on me...

For this project, everyone had sacrificed so much. They didn't deserve this outcome.

So I couldn't tell which hurt more—my face or my heart.

I could only agree to Caldwell's terms.

"Sorry for disturbing everyone's day. This was a misunderstanding."

"I admit, my heart did wander outside my marriage for a while."

"But Skyler is a good person."

"She consistently rejected my advances and always maintained proper social boundaries with me."

He was actually willing to use his own reputation to protect Skyler.

It was like I didn't know him anymore.

"As for my wife, she grew up in a single-parent household, so she tends to be suspicious. I hope everyone can be understanding."

To sell this lie, Caldwell directly targeted my deepest pain.

When my dad died, my mom nearly cried herself blind. He was the one who supported both of us.

But now, he was using my pain as a weapon against me.

"She's just been under a lot of work stress lately, so she's seeing things that aren't there and overthinking."

Then Caldwell turned to look at me, his complaining voice tinged with indulgent helplessness.

"Stop making a scene, Nivea."

"You can't joke around with people's reputations like this. When we get home, I'll make it up to you, okay?"

That speech tarnished me and tarnished himself.

Only Skyler remained spotless, as if she were the purest white lotus.

Finally, Caldwell ran his hand through my hair.

The seemingly affectionate gesture carried a heavy threat.

I couldn't help but shrink back, then forced out those words with difficulty.

"I'm sorry. I was wrong about you."

Skyler's emotions had already calmed down. Seeing me like this, she looked reluctant.

She started to speak several times but ultimately didn't have the courage to face the truth.

She could only laugh awkwardly and chose to forgive. "It's okay, I understand how you feel."

And just like that, a perfect victim was born.

From now on, no matter how I tried to bring this up again, with Caldwell's narrative set today, Skyler would forever remain unassailable.

Caldwell had taught me a masterclass in my own field—marketing.

I closed my eyes and let the tears flow.

In that moment, I felt incredibly grateful that I'd submitted my resignation letter that morning.

Mr. Mycenae had wanted to convince me to stay.

But I told him that only if I left would Caldwell stop making things difficult for the company.

He let out a long sigh.

That sigh contained guilt toward me—far more genuine than any guilt Caldwell felt.

After all, when the crowd dispersed, the first thing Caldwell did was take Skyler home.

He did try to placate me, saying the slap wasn't intentional, telling me to go home first and have the housekeeper tend to it.

He said that tomorrow when he got back, I could hit him or yell at him all I wanted.

Tomorrow was Valentine's Day.

He didn't know yet that there would be no tomorrow.