Chapter 4

The next day, I went back to the office to pack up my belongings.

When I pushed open the door to my private lounge, I found Vanessa wearing a revealing short skirt with her legs propped up on my desk. Her personal items had taken over the entire room, while my things had been carelessly dumped out in the hallway.

Leon had this lounge built specifically for me. Everyone in the company knew that, and no one dared to walk in without permission. What Vanessa was doing now was showing blatant disrespect toward me. I had no interest in arguing with her, so I pulled out my phone and called the police.

In the mediation room, Vanessa was visibly flustered. "I was just grabbing some documents for Leo. Was it really necessary to call the police?"

"That is my private space. Did I give you permission to enter? Taking something without asking is stealing," I said.

She didn't dare talk back, and her eyes suddenly reddened.

I immediately sensed something was off. I turned around and saw Leon standing behind us with a cold expression.

Vanessa threw herself into his arms. Her voice was thick with tears. "Leo! I really was just trying to help you get your documents. Audrey seems to hate me so much. She insists that I stole something.

"The things you've given me wouldn't even fit inside my house, which is several thousand square feet. Why would I want any of her things?"

That lounge had once been my sanctuary. Leon had given it to me as a gift in return for the castle model I built for him. We had made so many memories there.

I thought that place was at least the last shred of dignity our relationship had left, a place left untouched. However, in the end, he had personally destroyed it.

As he comforted Vanessa, he explained to the officers, "This is just a misunderstanding. We're all on the same side. Sorry for the trouble."

Then, he looked at me. His voice turned cold and contemptuous. "Audrey, how did you end up like this? You act like a bitter woman and use your status to bully an intern every single day. Does that give you a sense of satisfaction? I'm really disappointed in you."

Before I could say anything, Vanessa cut in with a choked voice. "Leo, don't blame Audrey. It was my fault for being careless. Worst case, I'll spend a few days in jail. It doesn't matter if people laugh at me. I just don't want you two fighting because of me."

Leon gripped her hand. His eyes were full of concern. "You're just too kind. That's why people keep taking advantage of you."

He turned to glare at me again, and his tone was harsh. "Apologize to Vanessa immediately."

"She entered my private space without permission. Yet you're asking me to apologize, and you're treating her like the one who's been wronged?" I said.

As soon as I finished speaking, Vanessa started sobbing again.

Leon scoffed. "Your private space? Don't forget that the lounge belongs to Mercer Group. The entire building is mine. You only have the right to use it. If you keep up this attitude, I won't hesitate to pursue charges against you for false accusations."

After he finished speaking, he pulled Vanessa away to handle the paperwork.

Every word he said cut through me. For all these years, I had poured everything I had into Mercer Group, believing I was building a future that belonged to both of us. However, in the end, all I got in return was "you only have the right to use it".

Before leaving, Leon gave me a final warning. "The photo already has 990 likes. If you keep acting like this, I really will marry Vanessa."

I looked at Vanessa, who was hiding behind him, and met her mocking eyes. I finally understood how pathetic I had been. Her tactics had always been obvious, and someone as sharp as Leon couldn't have missed them. He simply chose to let her get away with it.

The balance in his heart had long since tipped. All of this was nothing more than Leon and Vanessa working together to get rid of me, the obstacle standing in their way. I was the only one who was ridiculous, repeatedly trying to make peace.

Once it all became clear, the last trace of love I had for him disappeared completely.

…

A few days before I prepared to leave for Eldoria, several coworkers kept privately messaging me with mocking remarks.

"The likes have already reached 994. If you still refuse to give in, you're really going to lose your husband!"

"Wow, it's already 997! Looks like you're destined to spend the rest of your life alone."

"Oh, you're really holding out this time, aren't you? Don't tell me you realized you can't measure up to Vanessa, so you got scared and ran away crying. Haha!"

I deleted and blocked every one of them without responding.

When the count stopped at 999, and I still showed no reaction, Leon's mood turned terrifyingly cold. Nobody in the office dared to hit the final like.

Just as he was thinking about how to issue me a second warning, someone burst into his office and shouted, "Mr. Mercer, the 1000th like… It's been reached!"