Chapter 8

Selena jumped, her heart pounding in her chest. She pressed a hand over it and said softly, "Mr. Foster, it's me."

Zachary's dark eyes flickered as he looked at her, walking closer.

Selena's long, wavy hair framed her delicate face, and the silk of her nightgown clung softly to her curves with every small movement.

"Mr. Foster?" she called again when he didn't answer. "Did you…have something to drink?"

Her voice was gentle, calm, almost comforting. But the look in her eyes, soft and shimmering, brought back the image of her that morning. It was fresh and tempting, like a forbidden fruit waiting to be eaten.

The alcohol had dulled Zachary's restraint. His thoughts slipped out of control.

He tugged off his tie with one hand and tossed it aside. Then, without warning, he stood, his tall frame closing the space between them in a heartbeat.

His arm wrapped tightly around her slender waist as he leaned down and kissed her.

"Mmph…"

Selena froze for an instant, then quickly shoved him away, her eyes wide with panic. She stumbled back, wiping her lips with the back of her hand.

Her pale face flushed red, her eyes glistening with tears and anger. "Mr. Foster, you're drunk!"

She spun around and hurried up the stairs, vanishing at the landing. Zachary stood there for a long time before finally turning around.

From the corner of the hallway, Leroy stepped out as if he hadn't seen a thing. "Mr. Foster, would you like me to prepare a late-night snack?"

Zachary's dark eyes narrowed. "No. Go get some rest."

"Yes, sir."

Zachary went upstairs and headed straight into the bathroom. He pulled off his shirt, revealing the toned muscles of his back, and stepped under the cold shower. Water ran down his body for a long time before he finally shut it off.

The next morning, before anyone else in the house was awake, Selena quietly slipped out.

She hadn't slept at all that night. Her mind was restless, so she decided to leave early.

Back home, she couldn't stop thinking about that kiss. The warmth of his breath, the faint scent of whiskey, and the heat of his touch… Even if it had only lasted a second, she could still feel it lingering on her skin.

To stop herself from overthinking, she kept busy in the kitchen.

Selena made breakfast while recording short clips for practice. It was messy and frustrating. She wasn't good at filming, so she kept starting over, but at least it kept her mind occupied.

Later, Juliet called after arriving at school.

"I arrived at school with Leona, so don't worry. Oh, and Dad came to school too. He said he just wanted to see me, but I think he's actually looking for you."

Selena's expression turned cold. "Got it. Don't worry about him."

Not long after hanging up, as she was learning how to edit her video, her phone buzzed again. This time, it was Jonathan.

"Lena, where are you? I'd like to talk."

Selena didn't refuse. She had something to say to him, anyway.

She changed clothes and drove to Jonathan's office. The receptionist recognized her right away and smiled politely.

"Mrs. Campbell, nice to see you."

Selena gave a faint nod, but didn't correct her.

The receptionist's greeting confirmed her suspicions. Jonathan hadn't told anyone about the divorce.

When she reached his office, someone stopped her. It was the same woman Jonathan had been fooling around with in his car. Now, she was apparently his secretary.

The woman's smug, challenging look didn't match her otherwise plain, innocent face.

"Mr. Campbell's in a meeting. If you don't have an appointment, you'll need to come back another day."

Clearly, she was enjoying the tiny bit of power she had.

Selena's beauty gave her an air of quiet authority. Her cool, steady gaze swept over the woman, silencing the woman without a word. She simply took out her phone and called Jonathan.

Moments later, Jonathan walked out himself, his handsome features softening into a familiar, affectionate smile.

"Lena, you're here."

He reached out to embrace Selena, but she stepped aside.

Noticing how affectionate Jonathan was acting with Selena, the secretary's face fell. "Mr. Campbell…"

Jonathan shot her a cold look that shut her up immediately, and she stalked off with a huff.

Selena followed Jonathan into his office. Inside, he had already ordered her favorite drink and some pastries she liked.

Seeing her distant expression, he sighed. "I heard you're working as a cook for someone now. That's exhausting, and honestly, beneath you. If you need money, I can help you."

Selena pressed her lips together, her voice calm but sharp. "Did you tell Ronald about our divorce?"

Jonathan froze, then blinked in surprise. "What? Of course not! Why would you bring up Ronald?"

Her gaze was cold and piercing, as if she could see straight through him.

Jonathan tried to act composed, but there was a flicker of guilt in his eyes.

"Did Ronald do something to you?" he asked. "That guy used to chase you back in college. Don't tell me he's bothering you again. If that's the case, don't worry. I'll handle it. You're my wife. If he dares…"

"Your employees don't even know we're divorced, and I haven't told anyone either. So if it wasn't you, who else could've told him? Have you really forgotten that we went to the same college? Do you really think I'm that naïve?"

Selena had her suspicions. She believed Jonathan had intentionally told Ronald about their divorce, and maybe even encouraged him to harass her, just to scare her into coming back.

She wasn't stupid. She might have missed it at first, but the timing made everything clear.

Only the two of them and Juliet knew about the divorce, yet Ronald found out within a couple of days.

That could only mean Jonathan had told him, and only him. Otherwise, the gossip would've spread through their whole social circle by now.

Just like how Jonathan had already known she worked as a chef the day before.

Of course, people weren't stupid; they could easily guess that something had gone wrong between Selena and Jonathan. Selena figured that was why Jonathan panicked and tried to talk to her.

Jonathan's expression stiffened as she called him out.

Selena's sharp, disappointed eyes didn't waver. "Did you really think a little pressure would make me crawl back to you?"

Jonathan quickly shook his head.

"No, I had no idea this would happen! I was just drinking with the guys that night and accidentally let it slip. I never expected that jerk, Ronald, to actually bother you. I swear, I didn't tell him to do that. I'll warn Ronald myself and make sure he won't dare approach you again."