Chapter 3

In the pitch-black storage room, the air was nearly suffocating.

The sting of betrayal and failure wrapped around me like an invisible net, sending shivers through my entire body.

After what felt like an eternity, the lock turned again.

A harsh, blinding light poured in. Katherine strode forward, her smile one of pure triumph.

She had changed into a more luxurious suit—one of the limited-edition pieces from my own closet.

A document rested in her grip. It was the letter of intent I had been desperate to receive.

"Look at this, Ms. Brown! It's obvious Mr. Newman really likes my proposal," Katherine announced, her voice thick with pride.

She crouched down, waving the document right in front of my eyes.

"Also, Dwayne asked me to pass this message along. Starting tomorrow, I'm taking over as Project Director at Brown Group."

I stared at her, disbelief written all over my face. I had been fighting for that position ever since I had returned to the country.

"Dwayne has long believed you're not good enough for him. Were you aware of that? Aside from your family background, he considers you worthless. Unlike you, I'm quick-witted and perceptive. It's only natural that I should stand by his side.

"You're like a porcelain doll—beautiful on the outside, but empty on the inside."

Each of Katherine's words felt like a poisoned blade, driving itself mercilessly into the most tender part of my heart.

She gracefully reached into her pocket and pulled out a card. It was my employee ID, bearing my photo and name.

My father, Eric Brown, had personally given it to me when I returned from abroad. It stood as a symbol of my position at Brown Group.

After tossing the card onto the floor, Katherine lifted her elegant red high heel. She aimed it at the chip and slammed it down without mercy. A sharp, brittle crack rang out.

"Ms. Brown, your time is up."

A trace of contempt colored her beautiful smile. In that moment, the final shred of my dignity was ground into dust.

The metallic taste of blood flooded my throat. I was completely enraged.

"Katherine!" Summoning every ounce of strength, I stormed out of the storage room.

"Dwayne! How could you betray me like this?" I roared, glaring at him from only a few feet away.

The smirk on Katherine's face only grew wider when she saw me in a frenzy.

But in an instant, her expression shifted, and a startled cry escaped her lips. Like a frightened fawn, she cowered behind Dwayne, tears brimming in her eyes.

"Ms. Brown, why are you reacting like this? I was only trying to make you feel better…"

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she pointed to the shattered employee ID lying on the floor. "How could you stomp on it like that? I know you're upset, but…"

Dwayne's eyes shifted from my frenzied expression to Katherine's tear-streaked face.

Shielding Katherine behind him, he glared at me as if I were a deranged lunatic causing a scene. His gaze was filled with sheer disgust and impatience.

Dennis frowned and turned to Dwayne. "Mr. Woodruff, what's going on here?"

"Mr. Newman, my apologies for the disruption," Dwayne replied. "Evelyn is just overly jealous. She has some psychological issues."

In front of all the remaining clients, he delivered his final ultimatum.

"Evelyn, I'm giving you one last chance. Either you apologize to Katherine right now, or we'll call off our engagement."

As soon as his words landed, a stabbing pain gripped my chest, making it hard to breathe.

Overwhelmed by shock and years of pent-up emotions, I felt my anxiety erupt uncontrollably.

Darkness swallowed my vision, and I collapsed onto the floor.