Chapter 4

Aaron stood nearby, listening in silence.

Julian came over, smug and sneering.

"Nice party. One problem, though. No carpet in the hall. My shoes got dirty, so you can clean them."

Aaron lowered his head, polite but firm. "One moment. We have extra carpet in the back. I'll have someone put it down."

Julian's face darkened.

Gracie walked in, spotted his expression, and rushed over.

"What's wrong?"

"Gracie, I asked your secretary to clean my shoes, and he won't even do that. Is he still mad about last time?"

Gracie gave Aaron a cold look.

"It's just cleaning shoes. It's your job. You've been a secretary long enough. Can't you handle that?"

The guests piled on.

"A secretary giving Julian Vale attitude? Who does he think he is?"

"Julian's never had to lift a finger. You should be grateful he even lets you clean his shoes."

Aaron's eyes dulled.

He swallowed his shame, bent down, and wiped Julian's shoes with his sleeve.

Julian dragged Gracie up and down the stairs, making Aaron follow just to mess with him.

The special material of his custom shoes picked up dust every few steps. Aaron's back ached, then went numb from bending over. He kept going.

Julian wasn't done. He had someone bring over a pile of drinks and beckoned Aaron closer.

"I'm not drinking tonight, but my friends came to celebrate. Can't leave them hanging. Drink these for me."

"I'm allergic to alcohol—"

"Gracie, look at him!"

She knew about his allergy. Keeping Julian happy mattered more.

"You carry allergy meds, right? Take them first. You'll be fine."

Her tone shut down any argument.

Aaron's heart sank. His face went paler.

He took out his medicine and swallowed a few pills without a word.

Guests came over to toast Julian. Aaron drank for him.

Glass after glass. His stomach churned. He fought back the urge to puke.

His head grew heavy, his vision blurry.

The room spun. Then Julian cried out.

"Gracie, one of the cufflinks you gave me is gone! Your secretary's the only one who got near me. He stole it!"

The accusation snapped Aaron out of his haze.

"Ms. Weinstein, I didn't."

Gracie glanced from Julian's red eyes to Aaron, who was barely conscious. Her face grew serious.

"It was crowded. Maybe it fell off. Let's look first."

Julian shook off her hand.

"Who else could've taken it? I'm upset because it was from you! And you're still taking his side? Search him, or don't ever come looking for me again!"

He turned to leave. Gracie caught his arm and coldly called the bodyguards over.

They pinned Aaron to the floor and ripped at his clothes.

His mind went blank. He fought as hard as he could. They didn't budge.

They shredded his shirt and yanked off his shoes, leaving bruises and bloody scratches.

Shame flooded him. He cried out for help.

"I didn't take it! It wasn't me!"

They only got rougher.

Gracie couldn't bear to watch. She was about to stop them when several servers rushed over.

"We found it! The cufflink was on the stairs!"

Every eye turned to the diamond cufflink.

Gracie relaxed and waved the guards off.

She fastened it for Julian, her voice soft.

"You've got it back. We're good now, right?"

Julian nodded, satisfied.

He glanced down at Aaron, crumpled on the floor, and slid an arm around her shoulders.

"Thank God they found it. I'd have been upset for days. Your secretary went through a lot, though. Should I say sorry?"

Everyone looked at Aaron in his shredded clothes.

Through the pain, Gracie's cold voice reached him.

"No need. He's just a secretary. He can handle a little unfair treatment."