5. Filled with vendetta

"I'll pick you up after work, Elle," Niklaus said as he parked the car outside Brielle's office and turned to her, giving her all his attention.

Although it wasn't the first time she was meeting his passionate gaze, it still unnerved her, and she didn't dare look at him in the eye.

"Alright, I'll wait for you."

A satisfied smile landed on his lips, and he nodded. "Good. You're not even gone, and I already miss you."

Brielle's heart jumped at his confession, and pink dusted her cheeks, making her look like a blooming plum blossom.

"How lovely!" Niklaus gushed, mesmerized by her, and moved closer to take a good look.

"Stop it, will you?" Brielle wasn't used to this side of him and moved back instinctively. 

"Why? What's wrong with admiring my wife?" he asked, drawing his brows together. "My wife is beautiful, and I'm so in love with her. Why can't I express my thoughts when she deserves to know how fucking enthralled I am by her?

Brielle couldn't tolerate it anymore. The man's flirtatious words were too much for her poor heart to bear. Pushing him away, she opened the car door. "I'm going now. Bye. See you later."

Without waiting for a response, she leaped out of the car. Her steps quickened, and she almost broke into a run when she heard a deep, amused chortle from behind.

Niklaus couldn't hide his laughter when he saw his wife run away as if a wolf was hot on her heels. However, more than amusement, it was relief that he felt at that moment. "Finally, you're mine, Elle," he muttered with longing, losing the smile. "Finally, I have a family."

Meanwhile, Brielle patted her cheeks to calm herself. Niklaus had sent her heart racing with just a few words. She couldn't quite comprehend why she felt such strong emotions around him. Everything he did sent her spiralling, even if she didn't have any feelings for him.

'I never felt this way around Paul. Why do I always lose myself around Niklaus?' she wondered, tapping her feet as she waited in the elevator. 'Is it because I'm afraid of him? Or...'

Her thoughts were interrupted when the elevator dinged, and the door opened.

"Lucy, come to my office. I have something important to discuss with you," she ordered, donning a stoic look, and Lucy stared at her for a few seconds before picking up her tablet and rushing after her.

Removing her coat, Brielle pointed to the chair. "Take a seat, Lucy. This will take some time."

"What's wrong, Elle? Why do you sound strange?" Lucy wasn't just her secretary; she was also her good friend. She immediately noticed something amiss with her.

"Do I?" Brielle wasn't surprised. Lucy was one of the few people who sensed the change in her emotions every time. Even Paul wasn't that attentive to her.

"Yes. You sound different. You left the office in a hurry. Did something happen?" Lucy asked worriedly.

"A lot happened, actually. I'm here to talk about it." 

Brielle took her chair and, supporting herself on her arms on the desk, she leaned forward slightly.

"I will be resigning from the company in a week. Do you want to stay and continue working, or do you want to come with me?"

Lucy's mind went blank for a moment, and she gawked at the woman before her. "Are you serious, Elle?"

"I am very much."

"May I ask why?"

"Let's just say I'm not willing to work with a scumbag who is using me for his benefit."

Lucy went silent at her words and thought for a moment before asking, "May I know what exactly happened for you to make this decision?"

Brielle bit the inside of her cheek and hesitated. Lucy was one of the few people she trusted. However, after Paul's betrayal, she couldn't bring herself to trust anyone except Niklaus. But somewhere she felt safe confiding in Lucy. 

'She is perhaps the only friend I have,' Brielle thought, smiling sadly.

"You don't have to say anything if it makes you uncomfortable, Elle," Lucy said when she saw Brielle's distracted look.

"Paul never loved me. He's with Maisie, and they are behind the shares my parents left me."

"Are you freaking kidding me?" Lucy was stunned, and she stood up, sending her chair swiveling behind her. She knew her friend's animosity toward her uncle's family.

"It's true. I was a fool all along not to notice it." Brielle sighed, scolding herself for being stupid and blind. 'Niklaus saved me in time. Otherwise...' She shivered at the thought of what would happen to her once she handed over her shares to Paul.

"I'm going to kill that bastard." Lucy pushed her sleeves up and turned around, ready to march out and punch Paul and break his nose.

"Lucy, stop." Brielle didn't know whether to laugh or to cry. 

"Elle, don't stop me. I want to break his disgusting face."

"You can break his face once we have everything planned. Calm down for now, alright."

Brielle stood up and led her back to the chair. She even poured her a glass of water, which Lucy chugged in fury.

"How are you so calm? My blood boils whenever I think about his deceit."

"Do you think I'm not furious?" Brielle smiled in ridicule. "I'm fucking livid. But I can't act on my emotions. I need to plan well before I ruin him for good."

Lucy glanced at Brielle before staring at the empty glass in her hand. "I like your idea better. What have you thought of doing now?"

"Have you registered the company for the contest?"

"Not yet. I wanted to speak to you about it before you rushed out. Was it then you found out?"

"More or less." Brielle nodded. "Don't register for the contest. I'm going to go solo."

"I like how this is going." Lucy leaned forward, her eyes glinting evilly with interest.

"Also, other than the designs registered in the company's name, delete everything else. Leave no trace behind. I won't allow them to use my designs anymore."

"Amazing. The new designs that we wanted to use for the competition aren't registered yet." Lucy almost clapped in delight. "Anything else?"

"Today will be my last day here. But I won't inform Paul about it."

"How long?"

"Until the day of his wedding. Let's play around and keep him tangled in the web."

"I like that. His face will be worth seeing when he realizes he's been tricked all along. But how are you going to justify your absence?"

"Just say that I'm going on a business trip. He won't doubt me."

"Very well."

Brielle was about to say something else when he phone rang, interrupting her conversation.

"Is it the scumbag?"

Brielle stared at the caller's name and immediately broke into a smile.

"Elle, your expression is making me suspicious. Who is calling you, and why are you smiling so happily?"

"Let me answer this call. I'll tell you everything later."

Brielle answered the call and mistakenly pressed the loudspeaker.

A familiar voice boomed in the office.

"My wife, I missed you so much."