Chapter 2

Just as I was about to go to sleep, Draco called.

"Your office will be given to Avery from now on. You'll move to the common area."

He let out a sigh. "Avery is someone I personally brought in to help. Her expertise will help the company go public faster."

"Fine," I replied.

I had no interest in engaging further and hung up the call immediately.

What I didn't anticipate was that Avery would push the door open and walk in the moment I arrived at the office the next day.

She scanned the private office with a satisfied look, as though the room already belonged to her.

"Erica, thank you for stepping aside on your own. This will be my office from now on."

She then turned to the security guards and barked, "Why are you still standing there? Help her move her things out."

The guards trailing behind her stepped up.

Just as they were stacking the documents on the desk to carry them away, I snapped, "Stop! What are you doing?"

Avery gave a light chuckle. "What do you think we are doing? We are helping you pack. Erica, all of this junk is taking up too much space."

The guards roughly carried everything out and dumped the materials haphazardly in the hallway.

Avery grabbed my trophy and tossed it casually near the trash can.

"Erica, achievements are in the past. It is better to focus on the present," she said mockingly.

When I noticed the trophy lying next to the trash can, I shoved her aside and bent down to retrieve it. Just then, Draco rushed over and kicked me hard, sending me crashing backward. The trash can overturned, and its contents splashed over me.

He turned to comfort Avery gently, then looked at me with disgust. "Erica, I already told you yesterday that the office belongs to Avery now. Why are you still refusing to move out? Avery was kind enough to help you pack your things, and you actually dared to hit her.

"How is that any different from a jealous woman throwing a tantrum?"

I struggled to my feet, forcing down the pain, and enunciated each word, "Is this what you call helping me pack, by dumping all my belongings in the hallway and even throwing them into the trash?"

Draco froze on the spot. He opened his mouth, but no words came out.

Avery sniffled. "I just saw that these items were covered in dust, so I thought… I don't want the office anymore. I can just work in the storage room."

Draco immediately pulled her into his arms and said softly, "No, it's fine to throw away Erica's junk. It will stop her from staying idle all day."

I stared at the trophy half-buried in the trash and let out a bitter laugh. Draco had it specially made when I brought in the company's first major investment. He had called it his most precious possession.

Now that Avery was back, it was reduced to worthless junk.

When I said nothing, Draco scowled.

"Look at you now," he said, giving me a disdainful look. "You spend all day around chemical reagents and carry that harsh smell with you. There is nothing feminine left about you."

He took Avery's hand and declared to everyone around them, "What happened before was a misunderstanding. Anyone who brings it up again will be dismissed from the company."

Then he turned back to me. "You make it sound so noble, but the truth is, you only helped me because you saw I could rise again. Don't think I don't know how you deliberately dragged out the project just to pressure me into marrying you."