Chapter 3

Suzanne's POV

The next day, everyone gathered around Capri in the break room, gossiping away.

"Capri, that selfie you posted earlier wasn't taken at your place. Don't tell me it's exactly what I'm thinking!"

"You actually spent the night at Mr. Locke's?"

"Those pajamas look like they came from a matching set. Wow, things are moving fast!"

"I knew Mr. Locke had a thing for you! He personally brought you in on your first day. He gave off the impression that you're his woman and he's got your back."

"And after you nearly passed out from low blood sugar a few days ago, the company started providing afternoon snacks the very next day."

My hand froze on the doorknob.

That day, I had stayed late with Capri to fix some data and hadn't had time to eat.

I passed out in the break room that afternoon.

Julian saw me, but he walked right past me to help Capri, who was right behind me. The concern in his eyes had looked real.

When he saw how upset I was afterward, this was how he explained it. "You have me, but Capri doesn't have a boyfriend. If she gets hurt in the office, that's my responsibility.

"I'm only looking out for her because she's your friend.

"What? Are you jealous of your own best friend?"

I didn't stay to hear any more of their teasing and turned to walk away.

Martin from HR came rushing in. "Guys, I've got two huge pieces of news. Mr. Locke might be getting married!

"I think I just heard him talking about ordering an engagement ring."

Everyone around Capri got even louder.

"Wow, Capri. Looks like wedding bells are coming!"

Martin cleared his throat. "And the second piece of news is that Mr. Locke just approved a list of promotions. I heard your team is on it."

Our coworkers crowded around Capri, cheering.

"Who else could it be?"

"I'll be the first to call you Mrs. Locke, Capri!"

Capri tried to be modest. "That's not a given. Suzanne's been here longer than me."

I didn't stay to hear them guess who the promotion is for.

Laura from HR received my resignation and called me into her office. "Suzanne, your work, performance, and numbers are all good. Why are you suddenly leaving?"

I lowered my head. "Laura, was the promotion Mr. Locke just approved for me?"

She fell silent.

I said, "I've been here for three years. Everyone who started around the same time has at least become a team leader. I'm the only one who's still in the same position."

Every year, HR would put my name forward to Julian. And every time, he would find some little excuse to reject my promotion.

Laura frowned. "Suzanne, did you do something to upset Mr. Locke? Maybe you should apologize to him."

I smiled bitterly.

I hadn't done anything to offend him. I had just been secretly dating him.

Laura stopped trying to talk me out of it. "Employees at your level don't need management approval to resign. If you've made up your mind, I'll handle the paperwork."

After my resignation was approved, Julian called a staff meeting.

His expression was serious. "The report Team Two submitted two days ago had data errors that the client caught right away."

He looked around the room. "Suzanne, that's your team, right?" If you can't handle being acting team leader, give the position to someone else.

"You'll lose a month's pay, and Capri will take over your role."

Several coworkers lit up at the news and quietly congratulated her.

I could only stare at the data on the screen. Capri and I had worked late on that report just a few days ago.

Julian knew I wasn't responsible for that project.

I dug my nails into my palms, and my heart sank.

She made the mistake, I took the blame, and he demoted me to promote her.

I smiled bitterly.

What a joke.

Julian noticed my expression and frowned slightly.

After the meeting, he called me into his office. "Capri did make a mistake with the data, but when a team member makes a mistake, it means the team leader failed to manage the team.

"Do you have a problem with the demotion and pay cut?"

I kept my expression blank and answered in a professional tone. "No. I'm sure you have your reasons, Mr. Locke."

Julian frowned even more but said nothing. He simply waved me away.

When I left the office, Capri cautiously walked over to me with a cup of almond latte. "Suzanne, want some almond latte?"

I pushed her hand away. "No thanks."