Chapter 5

The next morning, Cassian Kenneth sat behind a heavy desk. His office was vast, dark, and reeked of absolute power, dominated by sharp monochrome tones.

His strong hands flipped through several documents, his sharp eyes scanning the numbers on his laptop screen. To Cassian, the owner of Cassapex Energy Corp, a renewable energy and power distribution company, efficiency was everything.

A knock on the large door connecting his office to the secretary's area slightly disturbed his concentration.

Errol, his assistant, walked in with a glowing tablet in his hand.

"This is the information you requested," Errol said, tapping the screen to enlarge a photo. "Elara, the wife of Garrett Vance. They have a child from Garrett's previous marriage," he explained.

Cassian raised an eyebrow as he examined Garrett's face on the screen. Something jogged his memory.

"He is Garrett Vance from Asterra Land Development, the man who approached you at the Golden Heart Gala a week ago," Errol explained, as if reading his boss's mind.

The Golden Heart Gala was a charity event, but for businessmen, it was a place to build connections. For Garrett Vance, attending was not just about donating, but finding opportunities to approach influential people like Cassian.

Cassian remained silent for a moment, then let out a small chuckle. It was a sound that could not be interpreted as either happy or mocking.

"Interesting," he muttered, his fingers slowly tapping the surface of the tablet.

He clearly remembered Garrett speaking to him. A director from a real estate company trying to partner with him for a modern residential project using green energy.

The man had arrived with a young, beautiful, and confident woman, wearing a luxurious gown that showed off her social status. And that woman was definitely not the Elara he had seen when picking up Anya.

Errol, noticing the shift in his boss's expression, added, "That woman is just an ordinary housewife. She is no threat to your daughter."

Casually, Cassian tossed the tablet onto the desk. "Find out who the woman accompanying her husband at the Golden Heart Gala was," he ordered.

Errol, still standing in front of him, frowned. This was not the first time his boss had asked for an investigation, but it was usually related to business competitors or potential partners.

Why does he suddenly care about Garrett Vance's affair? Errol thought. It was as if his boss had nothing better to do.

"Sir, if I may ask... why are you interested in that man's domestic issues?" Errol asked carefully. "I thought you had no interest in small companies."

Cassian did not answer immediately. He only gave a faint smirk. His sharp eyes stared at the tablet now back in Errol's grip, his mind piecing something together.

"I have found Anya's birthday present," he said with a subtle smile.

Errol just stared at him in confusion. But there was one thing Errol knew for sure. Once his boss took an interest in something, he would not let it slip out of his grasp easily.

That night, as usual, after making sure Ollie was sound asleep, Elara started ironing clothes.

She stood in front of the closet, her fingers tracing the soft fabric of the pastel dress Garrett had given her yesterday.

The dress was so beautiful. It was the best piece of clothing she had ever owned.

Slowly, a small smile appeared on her face. She would save the dress for an important occasion. Maybe for Ollie's next school meeting.

Meanwhile, in another part of the city, Garrett did not even care about that dress. He was staring at the changing numbers on an elevator screen.

His hands tightly gripped two large black shopping bags with gold accents. Anyone who saw them would know they belonged to a brand that symbolized wealth.

The elevator stopped on the 23rd floor. Garrett walked quickly down the hallway, stopping in front of one of the apartment units.

It did not take long before the door opened. A woman appeared with a seductive smile. It was Vanessa.

Her long hair flowed down, her skin smooth and glowing under the dim lights. Her sheer satin nightgown clung perfectly to her body. She leaned one hand against the doorframe, raising an eyebrow.

"Baby," she greeted softly. "You are late."

Garrett gave a faint smile, closing the door behind him and immediately pulling Vanessa into his arms.

"Traffic was terrible, babe," he answered briefly.

Vanessa let out a small laugh. She touched the collar of Garrett's shirt, pulling him a little closer.

"I waited way too long, you know?"

Garrett looked at her deeply. With one arm, he grabbed her waist and lifted her onto the kitchen counter.

Vanessa let out a short breath, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "Make it up to me," she whispered.

Garrett smirked, pressing his lips along Vanessa's jawline, moving down to her neck, while his fingers traced her bare thigh.

Vanessa held back a laugh, her fingers gripping Garrett's hair.

"Hey, hey," she said softly, pushing him away slightly. "I need to open my presents first."

Garrett raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Vanessa hopped off the counter, walking over to where Garrett had dropped the bags.

Casually, she carried them to the living room couch and started pulling out the contents one by one. A luxurious gown and a matching designer handbag.

"Do you like them?" Garrett asked, sitting on the couch, watching Vanessa.

Vanessa clicked her tongue softly, walking over to Garrett and sitting on his lap casually.

"I cannot turn into a simple woman like Selena... or Elara, your current wife," she said, tracing his jawline with her fingers. "So, do not give me clothes like the one yesterday ever again. You love me because I am me, right?"

Garrett looked at her in silence before finally giving a small smile. "Yes, I love you," he said, letting out a sigh and leaning his head back against the couch. "I suffer every single second looking at that woman."

Vanessa rolled her eyes. "Of course."

She leaned against Garrett's chest, her fingertips tracing his neckline, her tone dropping lower, more seductive.

"Then why won't you agree to my idea?" Her fingers trailed down Garrett's chest. "Divorce her. You can just hire her as your son's nanny."

Garrett chuckled softly. "It is not that simple, Vanessa. My mother would never agree."

"You know I am the one suffering more." Vanessa crossed her arms, glaring at Garrett with fiery eyes.

"When you married Selena, I had to swallow the pain all by myself. It took me a long time to heal my broken heart. And then, you married another woman."

Garrett sighed, grabbing Vanessa's hand and gently rubbing the back of it.

"I am sorry." His gaze searched Vanessa's face, looking for forgiveness. "I have always loved you. I have never even touched her."

Vanessa gave a faint, triumphant smile.

"Good." Her voice was soft but firm. "You are only allowed to touch me."