Chapter 4

"Have the financial report analysis for Newshore done before lunch," Sherry commanded Evelyn.

Evelyn went back to her desk and got to work. Even though she had been demoted to a minor position in the executive support team, Sherry kept assigning her a lot of work that shouldn't be her responsibility. Still, she did it all.

She continued to work diligently, but her efforts mattered to no one but herself. She'd foolishly believed that it would make a difference, but Carlton wasn't going to spare her a glance because of it.

After finishing the report analysis, Evelyn handed both the digital and printed copies to Sherry before ordering takeout for lunch.

The company had a cafeteria, but she always brought her own lunch. She didn't want to go somewhere crowded, didn't want other people scrutinizing her, and didn't want to interact with anyone. She just wanted to be able to sit by herself in silence.

Since she hadn't packed herself lunch today, she had to order takeout instead.

As she waited for the food to arrive, a couple of her colleagues walked into the office after finishing lunch, chatting excitedly as they walked past her desk.

"Mr. Shaw's girlfriend is so young. She must be a college student!"

"Probably. She's gorgeous—she looks like a doll."

"Did you see the way Mr. Shaw looked at her? His gaze was so tender! I never thought our stern-faced CEO could be so gentle. It's like a romance novel—the domineering CEO and his adorable wife!"

After entering the office, the two people who were talking noticed Evelyn, who sat as still as a statue at her desk.

Ever since she was demoted to the executive support team, she kept to herself and barely interacted with anyone. Over time, she had become increasingly reclusive, always wearing a face mask, as if she had something to hide.

It was hard to imagine that a little over six months ago, she was a capable CEO's assistant with a bright future ahead of her.

Evelyn got a call from the deliveryman and went down to take her food. She happened to pass two hotel staff members who'd approached the front desk with bags of food in hand. The receptionist led them to the elevator dedicated to the CEO of the company.

She noticed the bottle of red wine that one of the hotel staff members was holding. That bottle alone was worth 200 thousand dollars, but Carlton easily earned that amount in less than a minute.

After collecting her takeout order, she went back upstairs.

…

At 2:00 pm, Sherry came up to Evelyn and said, "Mr. Shaw wants to see you."

Evelyn tensed up with an inexplicable sense of foreboding, and her instincts proved correct.

When she arrived at the CEO's office, she felt the heavy tension in the air. She walked up to the desk and said, "Mr. Shaw."

Carlton looked at her, his handsome features cold and sharp. With a flick of his hand, he threw the document he was holding at her face.

"Is this the financial report analysis you did?"

The sharp A4 papers grazed her cheek, making it sting painfully. She looked down at the scattered pages on the floor. It was the analysis she'd prepared this morning.

Using one hand to support her belly, she bent down to pick up the document. Carlton simply watched icily as she slowly moved downward.

Evelyn examined the document and immediately noticed several numerical errors. She swiftly defended herself, "Mr. Shaw, this isn't the analysis I did."

"Save it. I don't want to hear your excuses."

She gripped the pages tightly.

Carlton was perfectly aware of her capabilities. It wasn't that he thought she was trying to weasel her way out of the situation. He was simply allowing her to be wrongfully accused of incompetence.

Being despised so thoroughly by the man she loved surely made her both pitiful and laughable.

Evelyn took a deep breath and briefly closed her eyes. When she opened them again, she mustered the courage to say, "I made a digital backup of my work. I can send it to you now for review. If you still think I need to be reprimanded after that, feel free to do so."

Carlton's eyes narrowed, flashing with displeasure.

Evelyn was tense. All along, she'd always feared him. It was the instinctive fear one felt when confronted by those with power and authority. Whenever his expression turned cold, she would be too afraid to even say a word.

But now, she forced herself to stay calm and collected. They were about to get a divorce. She would do as he wished and never set foot into this company again. She no longer expected anything from him either, so she had nothing to fear.

"Do you feel like you've been wronged?" Carlton questioned, his tone cold and mocking.

Evelyn met his piercing gaze. Her fingers dug into her palms as she countered firmly, "Should I not try to prove my innocence when you've accused me of something for no valid reason, Mr. Shaw?"

Carlton's expression turned icy. "This is what you deserve."

Evelyn's heart throbbed painfully, her face going pale.

Just then, the door to the lounge attached to Carlton's office opened.

Serena came out in a pink silk nightgown. Her glossy dark hair, luminous skin, and exquisite features made it hard for anyone to tear their eyes away from her.

"Carl!" she called out, her voice sweet and gentle.

Evelyn finally got a clear look at Serena's face. She was so stunning that Evelyn became acutely aware of her own inadequacy. She'd only just glanced at Serena when Carlton shouted at her, "Get the hell out!"

Withdrawing her gaze, she tamped down her tumultuous emotions and left the office. As soon as she was outside, she heard Serena gently coaxing Carlton, calming him down in no time.

Evelyn lifted her head and forced back her tears.

She went to an empty corner of the stairwell. As she gripped the railing, her emotions finally broke out of her. Tears streamed down her face, and her stomach twisted with pain.

To remove all traces of the man she'd loved for eight years from her heart was akin to clawing her heart right out of her, but it was fine. Everything would get better. Eventually, she would forget about him completely.

After some time, Evelyn finally calmed down. When she went back to her desk, she ran into Serena again.

Serena was dressed fashionably in custom designer clothing, her appearance exquisite in every way. It was clear she'd been lavishly pampered her entire life.

Marcus Hobbs, Carlton's executive assistant, was accompanying her.

When Serena saw Evelyn, she smiled and approached her.

"Everything's fine now," she said gently. "Carl won't be mad at you anymore."

She reached into her handbag and took out a pearl, placing it in Evelyn's palm. "Here, take this. Don't be sad. Remember to treat that cut on your face. It would ruin your looks if you got a scar there."

What a lovely and kind young woman she was.

Unlike the bright and cheerful Serena, Evelyn was like a clown living in the shadows.

When Marcus noticed that Evelyn wasn't responding at all, he frowned and snapped curtly, "Why aren't you thanking Ms. Albright?"

Evelyn was still unaware of Serena's name, but she now knew Serena's last name at least.

Serena retracted her hand and said, "It's fine. Let's go."

As Marcus and Serena walked off, Evelyn remained in place. She stared at the silver-blue pearl in her hand. It was flawless, just like Serena herself.

She wondered if Serena knew that Carlton was already married.

Back at her desk, Evelyn printed another copy of the original financial report analysis she had done and walked over to Sherry's desk. Sherry looked at her without the slightest flicker of guilt. In fact, she was smiling smugly.

"You saw for yourself, didn't you? The kind of woman who's worthy of Mr. Shaw," Sherry commented.

Evelyn threw the document down in front of Sherry and said, "Yeah. I'm not worthy of him, and neither are you. Since the only thing you're capable of is resorting to such lowly, dirty tricks, I doubt you'll ever go anywhere in life. You're already in your 30s. You should hurry up and find some guy to marry. Give up on those delusional fantasies of yours."