Chapter 2

Staring at my blank, calm expression, Stella seemed to grow even angrier.

"So you've decided to keep playing this game? What scene are we on now? The heartbroken fiancé pretending everything is fine as he packs his bags?"

I smiled, looking directly into her eyes, my voice steady.

"If that's what you want to believe, then sure, call it an act."

Either way, in three days, I’d be on a plane back home.

Stella froze. She bit her lip, then turned and slammed the front door shut with all her strength. "Whatever! If you're going to put on a show, you better commit to it!"

She didn't come home that night. However, I saw a new post on Ethan's Instagram. Shown on his nightstand was Stella's luxury watch.

The laughable part? I was the one who had bought her that anniversary gift.

I turned off my phone. The next morning, I walked into our office.

I had built this company with my own two hands, using zero connections from my family or my real surname. It was completely clean, and every single painting sold had my effort and sweat poured into it. If I was leaving, I was taking my hard work with me.

Just as I was backing up the accounts and client list to a portable hard drive, my sales manager, Sam, pushed the door open and hurried in.

His face was pale, his steps unsteady, and his voice trembled. "Mr. King, we're in huge trouble."

I looked up at him in confusion.

"That idiot Ethan posted a bunch of photos on Instagram yesterday, saying he was pulling an all-nighter with Ms. Ross. And right there in the background, he leaked the draft for her top-confidential project!"

My hands froze.

Sam’s voice cracked, sounding as if he were on the verge of tears.

"Now Ms. Ross' draft is going viral online! That's our biggest project of the year, and it was under a strict NDA! The client is furious. They just sent a legal notice demanding triple damages! A whole year of our company’s revenue won't even cover it!"

I snatched the legal letter from his hands and stormed toward Stella's office.

The moment I walked in, I saw Ethan resting his head on Stella's lap. The two of them were lounging on the custom sofa from Enotria I had bought, a piece I had specially sourced through my contacts so Stella could rest during all-nighters.

It was the only one of its kind in the world.

Seeing me enter, Ethan sat up abruptly. "Oh, Alan, don't get the wrong idea! I stayed late yesterday to help Stella with work. I was just exhausted, so I borrowed her couch to rest for a bit."

I didn't give him a second glance. Instead, I threw the legal notice right in front of Stella.

"Your confidential draft is trending all over the internet. The client is suing us for five million dollars."

I stared at her shocked expression. "Who's paying for this?"

Stella grabbed the letter. As she read it, her disbelief turned into a dark, grim scowl, and she turned her gaze toward Ethan.

Ethan immediately burst into tears, putting on a performance more dramatic than a professional actor's.

"I'm sorry, it's all my fault! I just posted a few photos on Instagram. I had no idea it would cause this much trouble! I really didn't mean to!"

He sobbed, grabbing Stella’s hand and shaking it as he pleaded, "Stella, you have to believe me! Look, I'll go to the client's office! I'll tell them it was all my fault and beg them to drop the lawsuit! I'll beg them to give us one more chance!"

Seeing Stella staring at him darkly without moving or saying a word, Ethan cried even harder, his body twitching with exaggerated sobs.

"Really, I can do it! Just let me try..."

Then his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed onto the floor, convulsing.

"Ethan! What's wrong?!"

Stella panicked and pulled him into her arms, looking up at me in desperation. "Alan, quick, help me call an ambulance!"

Watching Ethan's little performance, I couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.

"I can call, but we need to figure out who's taking responsibility for this payout first. Is Ethan paying, or are you?"

Stella froze, her eyes widening in disappointment.

"Alan, are you seriously drawing the line with me at a time like this?"