Semua Bab Easy, Mr. Bigshot: Bab 171 - Bab 180

I returned to Verdantia. Unable to shake off the image of Jethro and that woman, I lingered in the living room well into the night, but Jethro didn’t come back.Was he spending the night with that woman?I was in turmoil, even more so than when I had discovered Liam betraying me with Julia. It was clear to me now that I had fallen for Jethro.The next morning, I confronted my tired reflection. A bitter smile crept across my face, filled with self-scorn."Serena Hart, don't flatter yourself. In Jethro's heart, you're nothing but a mere secret fling. What right do you have to feel upset?" I said to my reflection, my voice laced with self-reproach.I hated feeling like I was unable to control my emotions. I knew that loving Jethro would only lead to my own hurt. Why couldn't I just rein in my heart?Skipping breakfast, I arrived at the office. Jethro's office door was still closed, unusual for this hour. Was he still in her embrace?I sat at my desk, unable to focus on work. My gaz

The woman spent a long time in Jethro's office. When she emerged, she was beaming. As she passed my desk, she paused and eyed me curiously. "Do I know you from somewhere?"Her question caught me off guard. "I'm not sure. I don't think so," I replied, feigning indifference despite my discomfort.Her memory of our brief encounter at the mall was remarkable. I remembered her only because of her link to Jethro, which left a deep impression."Oh, I remember now. We met at the mall yesterday. So, you work in Jethro's company, huh?" Realization dawned on her face as she spoke with implied meaning. Though she was smiling, I sensed from her the same hostility from yesterday."We did? I don’t recall," I replied, forcing a laugh and pretending to be unconcerned.As she was about to continue, Jethro emerged from his office and noticed us talking.“What's going on, Anna?" he inquired casually as he approached me and the woman named Anna Sartre."Nothing. I was just leaving and happened to

Jethro glanced at the pasta on my plate, his tone subdued."I forgot to prepare your dinner, but it’s still early enough for you to eat out." I kept my eyes on my food."You’re doing this on purpose, Serena!" Jethro saw right through my act. His expression hardened, and his voice was laced with a hint of anger."You're overthinking it," I countered, imitating Jethro’s tone when he told Anna he didn’t know me."Don't test my patience, Serena. It has limits," he warned, his deep eyes harboring a sinister light, as if ready to devour me.Jethro’s anger was frightening, more intense than I had anticipated. I had always danced on the edge of his patience but never dared to push too far."Here, have mine. I'm going to bed," I offered, suppressing my anger. Confronting him further was a risk I wasn't willing to take.To my surprise, Jethro's anger faded as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by a disarming smile. His smile was as enchanting as ever, but I was in no mood to appreciate

Frantically, I ended the call, not daring to utter another word.I clutched my phone, tears cascading down my cheeks. I had toyed with the idea of confessing to Jethro, wishing he would choose to be with me. But deep down, I knew it was a hopeless dream. Given our different statuses, I knew he’d never be with me.Sitting on the toilet, I cried for a long time before I could bring myself to leave. Looking into the mirror, I saw my tear-stained face and felt angry at myself. How could I be so weak?After Liam’s betrayal, I believed that I’d never fall for anyone again. Yet now, knowing that Jethro was with another woman, I felt even worse than when I caught Liam cheating.I had fallen for Jethro. What was I supposed to do now?In the following days, I was in a daze, failing to complete the tasks assigned by my supervisor, Timothy Muggs. I was reprimanded harshly. I had been at Titan Ads for several months, always completing my work with excellence. But recently, distracted by Jethro

"Jethro's brow furrowed as he asked, "What have you been eating lately if the fridge is so empty?"I caught a glimpse of concern in his eyes. Was I imagining it, or was he genuinely worried about me?"I..."I had eaten instant noodles or nothing at all over the past few days. The thought of Jethro embracing another woman had consumed me, leaving me with little appetite. His image haunted me, even invading my dreams. I was mentally and physically drained, feeling on the verge of collapse."You've lost weight," he said softly.Jethro’s comment caught me off guard. He had noticed such details about me? Had he really noticed the change in my weight?"Let's eat and head to bed early tonight. You look exhausted."Jethro's words tonight stirred emotions in me that I struggled to hide.I handed him his noodles and began eating. His gentleness tonight was unprecedented, leaving me feeling confused and overwhelmed. Jethro simply started eating without making things difficult for me as he