Chapter 4 Surprise

I saw Chris pinning Tina against the floor-to-ceiling window through the ajar door. Beyond the window was the city shining against the night. And in the room, my fiancée was having an affair with someone else.

Chris kissed her neck, and his voice came out raspy and was tinged with greed. "I'm the one you love, Tina. When will you dump Damian and come back to me? Your parents married you to him because they wanted the Riversons' resources.

"If it weren't for his sudden return, you'd have been engaged to me!"

Tina raised her head and moaned. "Don't push me, Chris. Damian saved my family's company after my father fell sick. You weren't around. I can't betray him."

"It's not like I didn't want to come home." Chris wrapped his arms tightly around her waist, and the rims of his eyes went red. "The elite circle was waiting for me to fumble. That's why Mom sent me overseas until everything blew over.

"Please, just this once, Tina. I've been waiting for years. Be my woman."

He was enjoying life overseas while I was slaving away to build up Tina's business empire from the ground up. Now that the good life was waving at me, he came back to take the fruits of my labor and was now sleeping with my fiancée.

The feral side within me was screaming, telling me to tear these scums apart. I was about to kick the door down when my phone buzzed. It was Neil.

My chest felt stuffy from the betrayal, and whatever was going on in there was too painful to watch. So, I went to the yard and accepted the call.

"What happened, Damian? Why'd they make Chris the person in charge? Did you quit?"

I let out a bitter chuckle. "I'm sorry you had to see that, Mr. Lawson. Chris is my perfect little brother, you see. Now that the prodigal son has returned, they kicked me out. They want him to take over."

Neil fell silent before he started to let out a string of furious curses.

Finally, he growled in exasperation, "Have your parents gone senile? That boy toy's ego would die if it jumped down from the pedestal that is his ambition to the abyss that is his ability! You, however, have a bright future!

"If they're throwing you out, then you should just come over and work for me! I'll make you VP, and I'll even give you 10% free shares to sweeten the deal! Bring that project over and resume it with us! Don't bother becoming their middleman!

"There's a top wine-and-dine three days later on the south side. I'll introduce you to the guys in our circle."

The cold night winds blew harshly against my cheeks. I heard Neil out as I listened to the filthy moans coming from that bedroom behind me.

Then, I smiled.

After all, he was right. I had a bright future ahead of me, and it wasn't worth ruining it over for the likes of them.

"I see. Thank you. I'll see you in three days, Mr. Lawson." I hung up and didn't look at the door once. Instead, I tossed the proposal ring I bought for Tina into the bin. Now, it truly was over.

…

Three days went by. The event's venue was filled with resplendently dressed people and the clinks of glasses.

I was in the suit Neil ordered for me, chatting with the guests.

"Damian?" A gasp came from nearby.

I turned my eyes to the direction of that voice. Tina darted over to me and grabbed my arm. She was in a gown, and her makeup was perfect. Yet, it couldn't hide her exhaustion. "Where have you been? You haven't come home in three days! Why'd you go and disappear on me?"

I looked at her calmly, just as I would a stranger.

Chris approached us holding a glass of champagne, and his eyes were filled with disdain. "Finally showing your face after hiding for three days? You have nowhere to go after getting kicked out, so you came here to sleep with some rich woman to climb the ranks?"

"Rich woman? Nah, I don't need that." I laughed in the face of his mockery. I didn't even bother pulling my hand away, even though it was already hurting from getting held so hard.

"As if! How else would you even get in if you weren't someone's boy toy? Oh, wait. Are you a waiter here? There's no shame being a waiter but wearing a guest's clothes while you are at it is just rotten."

Looks of mockery fell onto me. However, the lights dimmed out before anyone could say anything. Mr. Lawson took to the stage, and everyone fell silent.

"Thank you for attending this event, and I have some happy news to announce! I'm sure all of you know I have no children of my own. After working my way up, all I want now is a young, brilliant soul to take over, and now I've finally found that soul!

"And that young man is none other than Damian Riverson, the new VP of Skycloud Group!" Neil pointed at me.

Chris and Tina went white.