Chapter 2

I asked Arabella to meet me at the café in the lobby of the office building.

In my head, the System paced frantically in circles.

“Are you serious about this, Player? Are you really joining the Brimbles’ business? Arabella is only taking you in to keep you away from Patrick. Once things between you and Patrick heat up, she’s only going to make your life a living hell.”

While getting dressed, I replied nonchalantly, “At least she’s giving me fair compensation that’s not going to put me on the streets away from home. Arabella stands out on her own against her siblings and secured her right to the family inheritance. She’s not a mindless, spoiled heiress. Besides…”

My words trailed off.

Five years ago, I came to the city all on my own to find my family. The snobbish security of the estate heartlessly kicked me out.

Patrick came out of nowhere and lectured the security guards before taking me, still shaken up, back to the Suede estate.

Over the next five years, I held on to the memory of that first glimmer of light, despite everything he put me through.

Of course, I never forgot that it was Arabella who stood beside Patrick five years ago, holding an umbrella over my head and draping her coat over my shoulders.

Had it not been for the ridiculous decision five years ago, maybe things would have turned out differently for the three of us.

Sitting across from me, Arabella stirred her coffee with ease.

“Are you honestly thinking about coming to Brimble Network? Isn’t Suede Corporation your whole life? You’ve spent years locking yourself away in that lab and come running whenever Patrick calls. You’re more well-trained than his own dog.”

Keeping my head down, I took a sip of coffee.

“I’m done being his lapdog.”

Arabella was taken aback.

A while later, she handed me a contract with a complicated look.

“Skye, I honestly detest you, but there are times I just respect you.

“I prefer to keep business separate from my personal life. Woman to woman, I won’t make things hard for you in the workplace, but we are still rivals when it comes to matters of the heart.”

Rising to her feet, Arabella extended her arm out. “Welcome to Brimble Network.”

I looked up and chuckled before returning her handshake.

Before I was in the picture, Arabella and Patrick were meant to be the main characters of this world.

Not only were they in each other’s lives since childhood, but they were also equals in social standing and wealth.

Five years ago, Patrick’s father, Leon, was ambushed, and his driver took the fatal hit for him.

The driver’s last wish was to have the Suedes care for his only daughter.

In the presence of others, Leon announced that Patrick would marry me and care for me for the rest of my life.

Patrick turned ashen. The very man who offered me comfort the night before now looked at me in contempt.

Back in the office, Joe, the assistant, started making frantic eyes at me.

Baffled, I opened the door to my office to find Patrick sitting there, his expression stoic.

“Leaving your duties during work hours. Is this your approach to work, Skye? You can kiss this month’s wages goodbye.”

I pursed my lips without a word as he sneered, “Right, I forgot. You can’t pay rent without a paycheck. What? Are you going to crawl your way back to the Suede Estate?”

The System shrieked, “When has he ever shown up at the research department? He’s giving you an out. The whole thing about rent is his way of getting you to move back to his place. The guy’s making excuses because of his pride.”

Exhaustion washed over me. It had been five years, and I was done.

“Forget it.”

The System and Patrick were caught off guard.

“Just forget it. Since I went against company policy, I’ll resign.”

Patrick jolted to his feet and gritted his teeth.

“Do you think playing hard to get is going to give you a free pass? Who do you think you are? You want to quit? Fine. Get out and never come back!”

He swept the stationery off the desk and slammed the door on his way out.

I was bending over, picking up the scattered papers in silence, when a text from Arabella came through.

“Are you good with starting on Monday? I had a few outfits delivered to your place. You’d better dress decently for work. Don’t embarrass me!”

I read the message and smiled to myself.