Chapter 3

The following day, I arrived early at the signing ceremony.

Not long after, Ayla made a grand entrance with Mason clinging to her arm. She guided him around the room, introducing him to business elites as she went. Then, her gaze swept across the front hall and the smile on her face froze the very moment she saw me.

She hurried toward me and said angrily, “Who said you could come, Chris? Didn’t I make it clear at the office that no unauthorized personnel were allowed here?”

I did not answer right away. My eyes first moved toward Mason, who stood behind her. “Oh? Is that what I am to you, now? Then what makes this boytoy qualified to be here?”

Mason’s face stiffened. He shot back, “Watch your mouth. I got here on my own merit! I secured a partnership with the Marriott Group. I’ve earned my spot. You’re the one who shouldn’t be here.”

Feeding on the tension, Ayla lashed out at me. “I’m here with an employee to sign a contract. Don’t start trouble!”

“With an employee?” I stared at her coldly. “You really go above and beyond for your employee, don’t you, Ms. Jewell?”

Still feeling secure, Mason kept on acting smug and full of himself. “This isn’t your place, Chris. Leave now. Stop getting in the way. You’ll pay if you ruin this for me!”

Behind me, John’s eyes went wide with shock. Just as he was about to speak, I raised my hand to stop him.

Soon, the signing ceremony began.

Mason strode confidently onto the stage. He cleared his throat. With Ayla’s encouraging gaze, he began to speak with confidence. He covered everything, from presenting an analysis of the domestic market to the company’s profit model and presenting its future direction.

The more he spoke, the more self-assured he became, feeling that victory was within his grasp.

Despite my plan, every word, every sentence, and every pause of his made my heart sink deeper and my mind spiral further into turmoil. This was the proposal I had poured my heart and soul into for a month, forsaking many nights of sleep.

I had shared it all with Ayla without reservation back then.

“Chris, you’ve been so good to me. I’m never going to let you down!”

Had been her tearful promise.

I never imagined that she would turn around and hand my hard work over to an intern. It had even become his ammunition to show off in front of me.

The powerful figures in the audience listened to Mason’s eloquent speech and looked at him with admiration and praises.

“Mr. White is so young, yet he has such sharp insights. That’s really something special!”

“Looks like the Marriott deal is practically in the bag!”

Compliments filled the audience. Ayla sat in the middle of it, soaking in the flattery around her. She even shot Mason an approving look. With every word of praise, Mason’s confidence swelled even further. At the end of his speech, he dared throw a direct shade at me.

“Some people sit in the vice president’s seat, but they’ve got nothing real to offer. All they know how to do is coast on a woman.”

He even publicly declared his feelings for Ayla.

“Ayla, you don’t have to work so hard anymore. From now on, I’ll be your rock.”

Some people turned their eyes toward me and looked at me with contempt. To them, I was nothing but a kept man.

Just then, the lead representative from the Marriott Group stepped onto the stage.

Mason immediately approached him and asked deferentially, “Mr. Wright, when are we signing the contract? Everything’s ready on my end. We’re just waiting for—”

Robert Wright’s eyes held a glint of amusement as he cut him off. “No rush. Mr. Gage has a gift he wants to give you.”

Mason looked surprised before flattering obsequiously. “Oh, what an honor. Mr. Gage shouldn’t have gone through all this trouble just for me!”

With that, he eagerly scanned the room, searching for me. Under everyone’s expectant gaze, I slowly rose to my feet.

“Mr. Gage.”

Everyone in the room froze as they watched Robert hurrying over and respectfully ushering me onto the stage. From there, I could see the color drain from both Ayla and Mason’s faces.