Chapter 4

When I returned to my workstation, I noticed a text message from the boutique on my phone. It informed me that the watches I'd ordered to celebrate my third anniversary with Marcus had already been picked up.

Two months ago, I'd spent 30 grand ordering a pair of mechanical watches as a gift for Marcus on our third anniversary. I hadn't gone to collect them. The pickup confirmation bore Marcus' signature.

I stared at the text message for a few seconds before getting up to look for him.

I walked down the hallway toward the small patio outside the pantry and, through the half-ajar glass door, I found Vivian holding a diamond-studded ladies' watch, her face flushed with delight. Marcus was wearing the matching men's watch I'd bought on his wrist.

"Babe, you're the best! Not only did you steal that fool Claire's proposal to help me secure a permanent position, but you also bought us these insanely expensive matching Rolexes!"

Marcus wrapped his arms around her waist and sneered. "I was standing right next to her when she entered the password to her proposal. These watches were also paid for by her. Once we use her poor performance rating to oust her at the end of the month, her team leader position will be yours."

She aligned her wrist with his and snapped a photo of their matching watches, giggling. "Once I'm promoted to team leader, my uncle and I will be sure to reward you."

Marcus tightened his hold on her. "So long as your uncle and I are around, no one's going to make things difficult for you."

Vivian rose onto her tiptoes and kissed him.

Despite knowing full well how shameless they were, hearing those words with my own ears was so absurd that I couldn't help but snort. I pushed the door open and walked straight out.

The couple turned around at the same time.

Marcus immediately let go of her and frowned. "What are you doing here?"

I thrust the pickup notification text in his face. "Give me back my watches. We're officially over, Marcus."

He lowered his head and took one look at the screen before jeering. "That's fine by me. I've put up with enough over the past three years!"

Vivian tightened her grip on his hand and was about to pipe up when he suddenly raised my phone. "30 grand?" he deliberately raised his voice. "You make so little that you usually complain about how expensive a cup of coffee is. Where did you get the money to buy such expensive watches?"

Her eyes lit up as she stared at my phone screen. She immediately covered her mouth and gasped, "No wonder you got so worked up when I suggested changing the catering vendor! So, it really did cut off your source of income. How many watches like these could you have bought with all those kickbacks from the food orders?"

Before long, a crowd had gathered at the entrance of the patio.

"I knew there had to be a reason she was so determined to save the boss' money. Turns out, she was lining her own pockets."

"She sacrificed our health just so she could buy herself a Rolex. She's rotten to the core!"

I reached for my phone, but Marcus raised it even higher. "Are you attempting to take the evidence back now?"

He took a picture of the pickup notification before tossing my phone back to me.

Vivian took half a step back, hiding the women's watch behind her back. "There's no way I'm giving this watch back to you! It's stolen property you bought with embezzled company funds."

Marcus nodded, pulled out his phone, and called Mr. Kincaid. "Claire's harassing her colleagues in the office. We've already confirmed that she took kickbacks from the catering orders. We have the evidence right here. Please come over and settle this."

I stood rooted to the spot, pressing my fingertip against the edge of my phone until it throbbed.

Several minutes ago, this was a gift he used to curry favor with his lover. In the blink of an eye, it became ironclad evidence of my embezzlement.

Mr. Kincaid arrived in no time.

Vivian hurried up to him and raised her watch-adorned wrist. "Uncle James, she traded her colleagues' health for kickbacks, and now, she's forcing us to hand over the evidence. The procurement records and bank statements are all in the system. You can check them right now!"

I looked at Mr. Kincaid. However, he didn't even bat an eye. "That's enough. You've been picking on a newcomer, embezzling company funds behind everyone's backs, and now you're causing a scene. You're fired, Claire. Pack your belongings and leave!"

Marcus immediately reached for me. "You heard him. Hand over your employee badge and leave right now. Don't make us call security!"

He was about to forcibly yank off the badge on my chest when the elevator doors behind us suddenly slid open.

Elena Rhodes, the company's Chief Financial Officer, emerged with two auditors and a thick stack of catering invoices. "Who's in charge of meal procurement here? I need someone to explain how this branch managed to rack up 68 grand in unauthorized expenses in just two weeks."

I looked at the stack of invoices, and my tightly clenched hands slowly relaxed. At last, the corners of my lips lifted into a smile.