Chapter 4: The Last Check

After delivering the last check, it was already three in the afternoon.

Juliet Wagner got into the car, taking off her high heels while calling Morgan Byron to inform him that everything was done.

"There's just one check left," Juliet Wagner said.

"It's for you."

Juliet Wagner froze, stopping in the middle of removing her shoe, holding the high heel and staring out the window at the lush greenery, lost in thought for several seconds.

All along, she truly believed she was the most special one.

It turned out, among the dismissed stand-ins, she was also one of them.

In fact, Juliet Wagner was merely a substitute for Helena's eyes. According to Morgan Byron's driver, The Driver, her eyes, even the look in them, were exactly the same as Helena's.

These stand-ins, one like the eyes, another like the nose, and yet another like the mouth—put together, they still wouldn't make up the real Helena.

But she quickly snapped out of it, continuing to take off her high heels and tossing them in the car, answering with a smile, "Thank you, Mr. Byron. I can get back to the company before the end of my shift today and go to HR to process my resignation."

Being summoned and dismissed at will was one of her required skills.

When the boss no longer wanted her, she must not show any displeasure or try to argue.

She had to understand that she was only a stand-in, never the real deal.

"The check is just a severance payment, not a termination compensation. Be at work by eight o'clock tomorrow," Morgan Byron said, then hung up.

Listening to the rapid beeping on the phone, Juliet Wagner leaned back against the seat, quickly writing a number on the check.

Not too much, not too little, just right.

Too much would seem greedy.

Too little would make Morgan Byron think she was still after something.

This balance, she always managed perfectly.

That's why she could continue to stay by Morgan Byron's side as his personal secretary.

Fortunately, what was being dismissed was just the identity of Helena.

She let out a long breath, feeling a weight lifted off her shoulders.

Back home, she threw away all the white dresses, white shoes, and the pale foundation that made her look ghostly.

And in the most luxurious hair salon in the city center, she dyed and permed her long, straight black hair, which she had kept for three years.

Late at night, Jessie Watt saw Juliet Wagner at a bar, wearing a tank top and a leather skirt. Her high heels were half off, dangling from her feet, a gesture that drew many admiring glances.

Tonight, she wore heavy makeup, her eyes sparkling, and her dark green curly hair shimmering under the colorful lights of the bar. It took Jessie Watt a long time to recognize her.

"Goodness, Juliet Wagner, have you gone mad? You dared to change your hair?"

Juliet Wagner had already had several drinks, one hand supporting her rosy cheek, smiling like a peach blossom. She motioned for Jessie Watt to sit down, and the bartender brought over two freshly mixed drinks.

Jessie Watt looked at the bright red drink and Juliet Wagner's glittering eyes, "What's this called?"

"Sunset Mood."

Juliet Wagner raised her glass in high spirits, downing it in one go, then clinked her empty glass with Jessie Watt's, "To Eden's birthday!"

Jessie Watt looked worried. Every year at this time, she knew she would receive a call from Juliet Wagner before midnight.

She sighed, "Juliet, why do you always live in the past?"

"To Eden's birthday!" Juliet Wagner raised another new glass, holding it so high that the light red liquid spilled over, dripping a few drops onto her cheek.

Like she was shedding pink tears.

Jessie Watt felt helpless, "Happy, happy..."