Chapter 3

When Grant's words fell, the entire deck went silent.

Eyes darted my way.

Some were gossiping, some were watching a show, all waiting to see how I'd talk my way out of this.

After all, everyone in this industry knew that Grant's Reese was ruthless and decisive.

I pushed down the coldness rising in my chest, slowly set down my wine glass, and kept my smile flawless.

"Grant Hale."

For the first time in five years, I called him by his full name in front of others.

"You know perfectly well who said the wrong thing just now."

"I know." His gaze didn't soften at all.

"You also know that I'm the one who salvaged Calloway's fifty-million-dollar investment along with that endorsement contract."

"It's not worth getting so angry over a mere fifty million."

He reached out, tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, and spoke softly. "Tessa is new here. You're usually so generous. Putting her on the spot in front of the entire inner circle today is really beneath your usual standard."

His words pierced me like a fine needle. Not fatal, but throbbing with pain.

So he knew everything. But even so, he still stood by her side.

Just like he had many times before.

Tessa grabbed his sleeve with red eyes.

"Grant, don't force Reese."

"She's so proud. How could she ever bow her head to me?"

This manipulative victim act put me right back on a guilt trip.

If I didn't apologize, it meant I was flexing my seniority after being with him for five years, unable to tolerate his junior rookie.

Grant had only a sliver of patience left in his eyes.

He pinched my earlobe, but his words left no room for refusal. "Reese, don't make this hard for me. It's just an apology. Be a good girl."

He looked at me like I was a troublemaker who had suddenly gone crazy and made him lose all face.

Tessa looked down, touched the sapphire necklace, and then glanced at my original seat.

"This is all my fault."

"I shouldn't have worn Reese's necklace, and I definitely shouldn't have sat next to you and made her angry."

"How about I take the necklace off right now and give it back to her?"

As she spoke, she pretended to reach for the clasp on her neck.

Grant immediately held her hand down.

"Things I give you don't need to be returned."

Then he took a deep breath, turned to look at me, wrapped an arm around my shoulder, and leaned close to my ear.

"It's just a seat and a necklace. They don't mean anything."

"It's all just for show, baby. Don't make a scene, okay? Let it go."

I lowered my eyes, my fingertips brushing against the diamond fringe by my ear.

So the position I had guarded for five years was something he could just casually give away.

And my heart for him was something he could just casually trample on.

"I'm not making a fuss."

"On the contrary, I'm making room for you two."

I pulled the VIP pass straight out of my clutch and dropped it cleanly into the wine glass in front of me.

"Since Tessa loves that center seat so much, let her sit there for good."

The card slowly sank.

"From now on, let her slowly learn how to handle those difficult producers. Let her cover up your scandalous affairs."

"Just don't come looking for me."

Grant stared at me, starting to panic a little. "What do you mean?"

"Exactly what I said."

"Didn't you think I was making her look bad here?"

"Then from now on, I'm washing my hands of all your messes."

He laughed. "Reese, think about it. What right do you have to throw a tantrum at me?"

"The hillside mansion you live in, the limited-edition sports car you drive, aren't they all the best things I provided for you? I spoiled you so much, but not so you could go out and throw a fit over a rookie."

The executives around us gasped.

That sentence finally tore away the last shred of dignity.

I shrugged and nodded. "A perfect reminder from the great superstar."

"Since you want to keep score, let's settle up."

I took out my phone and dialed finance directly in front of everyone.

"Pull my commission statements from the five years I've managed him."

"Also, calculate every single cent of the luxury endorsements I secured for him, the high-stakes deals I negotiated, and the fifty-million-dollar contract I just saved tonight."

The finance person on the other end froze. "Reese, is this..."

"Cash me out."

Grant's eyes instantly darkened to the extreme.

"Reese, what exactly is wrong with you today? Why must you throw a tantrum and piss me off at an event like this?"

"Is calculating my rightful commission considered going crazy?"

I hung up the phone sharply and gave him a mocking smile.

"Grant, the one thing we can't put a price on is feelings."

"So if we strictly have a business relationship, let's follow the standard business protocols for the cash."

I picked up my clutch and decisively turned to leave the table.

When I reached the gangway, I looked back.

"Please have the bill settled before the end of the month."