All Chapters of Dear Ex, I Am Not Your Backup Anymore : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Ellie's P.O.V.The drive back to White Mansion passed in complete silence.My head rested against the cool window as city lights streaked past in blurred lines. Every muscle in my body ached, exhaustion settling deep inside my bones after everything that had happened.However, something strange happened. For the first time since arriving there, White Mansion no longer felt like a prison. After tonight, it felt safer than the house where I had grown up.The realization made my chest tighten.The car rolled to a smooth stop before the grand entrance. Theo stepped out first and opened the door for me.“We're here, Madam.”I climbed out slowly, my legs feeling unusually heavy.“Thank you... Theo.”He inclined his head politely.“It was my duty, Madam.”There wasn't another unnecessary word. He simply watched until I stepped inside before returning to the driver's seat.I let out a tired breath. All I wanted now was my room, a hot shower, and a bed. Only sleep could free me from the const

Ellie's P.O.V. Muttering under my breath, I stormed out of my room with the ridiculous bill still clutched in my hand. “Five million dollars for a stupid vase…” I glared at the envelope as though it had personally offended me. “What was it made of? Unicorn tears?” The more I thought about it, the more suspicious I became. I was a part of a business family. I had attended enough charity auctions and corporate galas in the last two years to know how wealthy people handled expensive antiques. Nobody in their right mind displayed priceless originals in an ordinary hallway. Such antiques were for lavish living rooms, reception halls, and private galleries. It was impossible to place them in an inner corridor where servants walked around carrying trays every five minutes. “It was a replica,” I muttered confidently. “That bully is trying to scare me.” Determined to expose Zack's ridiculous lie, I marched downstairs looking for him. However, I couldn’t find him anywhere. He wasn’t in

Ellie's P.O.V.“What have I done?”I stared at Jared as though he had suddenly started speaking another language.“What have I done?” I repeated, my voice trembling with disbelief.Then all the frustration I'd been holding back exploded in a heartbeat.“I designed around three hundred dresses for your company over two years!” I snapped. “I spent every weekend sketching and ordering fabric after a hectic week at the warehouse. How can you say I did nothing?”Jared simply sat back in his chair, his expression calm and unreadable.“Oh, that.”Those two words made my blood boil. I stepped closer to his desk.“I didn't work for free, Jared. You and I signed the contract for the profit share. Now I want my money.”Jared didn't argue. Instead, he calmly opened his laptop and pressed a few keys.“About that…”A moment later, he turned the screen toward me. My employee profile was displayed on it. Beside the earnings section, the balance showed $0.00.“You have spent all the money you earned,

Ellie's P.O.V.“Gosh, why does the office start at 07:30?”Muttering under my breath, I straightened my olive-green blouse for what felt like the tenth time.Waking up early wasn't my strength, and from today, I have to wake up early for the next five years. This alone was enough to make me nervous.It was my first day at work, not exactly the glamorous return to the fashion industry I had imagined. Instead of becoming a famous designer, I was about to start my career as a data entry employee because of one ridiculously expensive vase. Life could be unpredictable in many ways. I slipped into my cream trousers, tied my hair into a neat ponytail, and studied myself in the mirror.“Presentable enough.”It wasn't the outfit I wanted, but it was the best one I had left.Taking a deep breath, I grabbed my bag and headed downstairs.The grandfather clock in the hallway had just struck seven.Perfect.If traffic wasn't terrible, I should reach Walton Lux before seven-thirty.As soon as I s

Ellie's P.O.V.My question hung in the conference room like a thunderclap.I folded my hands neatly on the polished conference table, keeping my face calm despite the satisfaction blooming inside me.‘Go on, Jared. Show them the designs I never gave you.’Jared's confident smile faltered for the briefest second before he recovered.“My previous collections have been among Walton Lux's best-selling lines. My work speaks for itself.”His work?A familiar bitterness settled in my chest.For two years, those collections had begun in my sketchbook. I had celebrated their success beside him, believing we were building our future together.Now he stood there claiming those achievements as his alone?Not anymore!I smiled professionally. “That is true, Mr. Jared. But business doesn't operate on promises. We operate on facts.”I looked around the long conference table.“Gentlemen, every one of you has invested your trust, your reputation, and your money into Walton Lux. Yet none of us knows wh