Chapter 4

I'd barely said a few words to Evie, and Keaton had already rushed to her defense like he was ready to rip me apart for her.

Evie strolled to my desk, dropped into my chair, and lifted her wrist.

The bracelet Keaton had just clasped on her glittered there.

She smiled like she'd won.

"I heard this set's been on your wish list forever, but you never bought it. I mentioned it to Mr. Smyth once, and the next day, he bought the whole thing and gave it to me himself. Guess I'm the one he cares about most."

I said nothing.

Let her enjoy it.

I used to think I knew Keaton.

These past few days proved I'd been giving myself way too much credit.

Maybe in his eyes, there was no room left for this marriage.

Or for me.

Seeing I wouldn't react, she smirked.

"You look like you've never seen real luxury. Admit you're not on my level, and maybe I'll let you get a closer look."

My face went cold.

Keaton and I had been married for years.

We'd built everything we had together.

I treasured our marriage.

Whatever he asked for, I gave without hesitation.

When he wanted half my shares in Orion Corp, I signed them over without a second thought.

To me, family always mattered more than business.

I honestly thought we'd grow old together.

Then Evie showed up.

Just days after Keaton hired her, everything changed.

He grew distant.

Cold.

Every little thing she said became another reason to blame me.

And every time she caused trouble...

He took her side.

Despite everyone pushing back, Keaton insisted she get a private office.

After that, he stopped caring about Orion's best interests.

He let Evie wreck project after project, even when the company's future was on the line.

Then he hid behind "work" while showering her with one perk after another.

I'd spent years at Orion.

I'd never been treated like that.

Did he really think someone who spent all day slacking off could handle a project like this?

What a joke.

When I still didn't react, Evie just smiled.

She pulled out the flash drive and casually tossed it in the air.

I glanced at it coldly.

She had no clue the data on that drive was incomplete.

It still needed rounds of testing before it could be finalized.

The latest version was on my phone.

I just hadn't updated the flash drive yet.

Since Keaton trusted Evie so much and wanted her to prove herself, she clearly didn't need my data.

Wasn't she supposed to be capable?

A small smile touched my lips.

I unlocked my phone and quietly deleted the final data file.

Then I looked at her.

"No thanks. That bracelet fits you perfectly. Don't waste Mr. Smyth's gift. Besides, you won't be wearing that jewelry much longer."

Evie's face twisted.

"Ungrateful."

She stood, kicked my desk, and stormed off.

***

After work, I was about to leave when I heard a familiar voice.

I looked up.

Evie was coming down from the company gym with her little squad.

Her face was pure contempt.

"Tessa's nothing. She just met Mr. Smyth before I did. What does she have that I don't? The apartment, the project—I mentioned them once, and Mr. Smyth rushed to give them to me. Tell me, how could she ever compete?"