Chapter 8

Jaxon looked at the thick smoke coming from the steel canister, wondering whether something was wrong with Liana. "If it's trash, couldn't you just have thrown it out?"

Liana said, "It's more thorough to burn them."

He frowned. The two of them stood in the garden without speaking as the sun set and the night arrived.

…

The following morning, Liana received a call from the auto service and sales center, notifying her that her car had been fixed.

After picking it up, she was about to call Roger when she remembered what had happened to the suit jacket. She was supposed to wash and return it…

After some thought, she called Roger and told him that her car was fixed. Then, she sent him the invoice and the list of repairs. At the end of her message, she added, "I don't mean to pry, but could I know your employer's height, weight, and body measurements?"

She wanted all these details because suits were generally sold in sets. She couldn't just buy a suit jacket that was a similar color, as it wouldn't match the color of Soren's suit pants. He'd been kind enough to lend her his clothes, so she couldn't trouble him any further. That was why she'd decided to also get him a pair of pants.

Roger was at a loss for words when he read the message.

Liana didn't receive any reply even after waiting for a while. She figured that Roger probably wasn't sure of Soren's measurements and needed to ask him, so she didn't think much of it.

As she drove past the next alley, she received a call from a manager in the finance department who wanted to verify some data with her. The wound on her forehead was almost healed, so she turned the car around and headed to the company.

Liana had taken several days off from work. So when she showed up at the projects department, her subordinates all ran over to ask her how she was doing.

She'd yet to tell them about her resignation. In fact, she felt bad about leaving them in the lurch. Once she was gone, they'd have to get used to a new superior and their working style.

She went to see the finance manager before returning to her office and dealing with some of the work that had piled up. It was only in the afternoon that she had time to type out her resignation letter. She wanted to hand it in to Jaxon before leaving the office.

However, before it was time to get off work, she heard something that made her stomach turn when she went to the pantry.

"I heard from someone at the secretariat department that Ashold Corporation's heiress, Clarissa Beech, is working at our company now. Mr. Stone has arranged for her to work in his office."

"Are the Stone and Beech families forming an alliance through marriage?"

"Have you forgotten that Ms. Winslow and Mr. Stone are in a relationship? What will happen to her if he marries Ms. Beech?"

The staff fell silent and exchanged looks. Then, they sighed. They sipped their coffee and whispered about Clarissa's shamelessness, how they pitied Liana, and how heartless Jaxon was.

Liana stood outside the pantry and listened to them. In the end, she returned to her office with her empty mug. She sat in a daze for a while before grabbing her resignation letter and heading upstairs. She wanted to get this over with as soon as possible.

When she got upstairs, Roy hurried to stop her before she could head to the CEO's office. He looked nervous as he said, "Ms. Winslow, Mr. Stone is having a meeting. It's not convenient for you to see him now."

She gave an understanding hum and turned, pretending that she was going to leave. Just as Roy let his guard down, she swiveled and strode elegantly to the CEO's office. Then, she grabbed the doorknob and twisted it, flinging the door open without hesitation.

Sometimes, she was annoyed by herself. What was the point of getting upset at a man she'd already decided that she no longer wanted? Why did she insist on pissing herself off and witnessing things that would make her stomach turn?

Nevertheless, she was just a human who was a slave to her emotions. Sometimes, she just couldn't control herself.

A scream rang out in the office. Clarissa had nothing but a towel on as she clung to Jaxon's back. She'd had the living daylights scared out of her when Liana had opened the door.

Jaxon's smile froze, and Roy looked like he wanted to die. He dared not look inside the room as he stammered, "M-Ms. Winslow, I can explain. Ms. Beech was sweaty from moving documents, so s-she took a shower. I-I was afraid you'd misunderstand, so I said…"

Liana shot him a look that conveyed her pity and mockery. "Oh, Mr. Holt. You're a top scholar from a prestigious institution. But look at how you're acting."

She retracted her gaze and headed inside the office.

"Who do you think you are to indirectly insult me like that? How dare you barge into the CEO's office when you're just a manager! Don't bother coming in tomorrow—you're fired!" Clarissa straightened up and screeched at Liana.

Liana headed to Jaxon's desk and placed her resignation letter on it. She casually said, "I already spoke to you about my resignation. I'll need to prepare a lot for my trip, so I won't be coming in anymore starting tomorrow. Of course, I'll still make time to come back to hand over my work."

Jaxon didn't dare meet her gaze. He simply said, "Do as you like."

"Alright." Her gaze traveled between him and Clarissa. "You two can continue with your… meeting."

She retracted her mocking gaze and turned to leave. She'd only taken a few steps when Clarissa screamed shrilly behind her. "It's none of your business whether or not we continue with what we were doing! Who the fuck do you think you are, Liana Winslow? Jax has long since fallen out of love with you. I'm the one he loves now! You have no idea how many nights we—"

"Shut up!" Jaxon roared.

Liana took a deep breath. Her back was stiff as she turned around. "Let her finish. I'd like to hear just how thick-skinned the heiress of the Beech family can be."

She looked at Clarissa and said, "Whether or not he loves you isn't going to change the fact that you're a mistress and a homewrecker. The fact that I can open that door and walk in here is enough to show that I can pin you both on pillars of shame forever. Do you understand me?"

"How dare you call me that!" Clarissa lunged at Liana as rage took over her.