Chapter 4
It was clear that Adeline wasn’t finished with her little performance. After asking me to pour some tea, she “accidentally” spilled the scalding liquid onto
- me.
“Ah…” The burning liquid seared my skin. I tried to roll up my sleeve, but Adeline held my wrist firmly. The soaked fabric clung to my arm. I knew it would be enough to cause blisters.
Still, I couldn’t afford to lose my temper here. It would only embarrass Luther.
Adeline hurriedly apologized while dabbing at the spill with a tissue. “Oh no, Ms. Miller, I’m so sorry. What a shame about your gown.”
She clearly knew the tea had scalded me, yet she chose to sympathize with my clothes instead.
I brushed her hand away, but she pressed on. “Tonight’s guests are highly distinguished. Showing up looking so disheveled could come off as disrespectful. Mr. Stone, perhaps Ms. Miller should excuse herself. What do you think?”
I met Luther’s cold, indifferent gaze and slowly rolled my sleeve back down. “It’s fine… No one will even see my gown under the table.” “Did you get burned?” Luther asked.
Adeline and I both stared at him in disbelief. Without missing a beat, she lifted my arm to examine it closely.
“Oh my, it’s already red. I’m terribly sorry, Ms. Miller. Let me arrange for the driver to take you to the hospital. A woman’s skin is so delicate. We wouldn’t want any scarring.”
Adeline was truly skilled at playing both sides to her advantage. But with Luther, I had the upper hand. He was utterly captivated by me, and I wasn’t about to let this moment slip without a subtle jab.
“You were really careless, Ms. Larkin,” I said pointedly. “Luckily, I was the one who got burned. If it had been one of tonight’s guests, it could’ve been a disaster.”
Adeline tensed, clearly caught off guard by my comment.
Luther’s gaze met mine–dark and intense. There was a teasing glint in his eyes. He saw right through my act.
I quickly lowered my head and slipped my left hand under the table.
Just then, Bennett entered. Adeline rose instantly, her smile blossoming.
“Mr. Calder, you look incredibly dashing tonight. Who are you trying to charm?”
Bennett laughed, clearly amused. “Come on, Ms. Larkin. I’m an old man. How could I still be dashing?”
“You’re hardly old, Mr. Calder,” Adeline said teasingly. “They say men age like fine wine at 50. Honestly, you look more like a flower just starting to bloom. By the way, where’s Mrs. Calder?”
“My mother fell seriously ill, so she went back home to take care of her.”
Adeline’s face softened with concern. “I’m sorry to hear that. I’ll give her a caft after dinner. As our parents grow older, health challenges are bound to happen. My own parents experienced the same.
“Being far from home, I often find myself worrying about them too. But try not to stress too much. Medical advancements have made great strides. She’ll be okay.”
Adeline’s words eased the tension on Bennett’s face, brightening his mood. I had to admit, her knack for handling public relations was something I could definitely learn from.
She lifted a luxurious shopping bag. “Mr. Stone knew Mrs. Calder was coming and asked me to prepare a special gift for her. Please be sure to take it home after dinner.”
Bennett gestured to his secretary to accept the bag. “That’s very thoughtful of you, Mr. Stone.”
Luther smiled warmly. “You’re welcome, Mr. Calder. It’s just a small token.”
Bennett’s hearty laugh echoed from within the private lounge.
Adeline adopted a formal tone as she made the introductions. “Mr. Calder, this is Mr. Luther Stone from Northstrike Air. And Mr. Stone, this is the senior I’ve often mentioned the one I met at the Cyrenia Airshow.”
The two men shook hands, exchanging polite pleasantries.
Even after they took their seats, Adeline didn’t introduce me. In moments like this, I understood there was no need for someone like me to take up their time I just needed to remain quietly by their side.
As I poured tea for Bennett, he looked up and asked, “And who might this beautiful lady be?”
Adeline smiled. “She’s Mr. Stone’s assistant.”
Bennett’s eyes gleamed as he looked at me. “Mr. Stone, you definitely have great taste,”
That’s when I realized the earlier spill had dampened my collar. The thin fabric had become slightly sheer, revealing my black bra beneath.
Luther frowned, clearly displeased. I quickly finished pouring the tea and returned to my seat.
Chapter 4
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Adeline smiled sweetly, her concern perfectly rehearsed. “Ms. Miller, I have a jacket in my car. I’ll ask the driver to bring it to you.”
My outfit was already borderline inappropriate, so no matter her intentions, I had little choice but to accept. “Thank you.”
To my surprise, the jacket Adeline gave me was one she planned to return. It was clearly much too small for her.
When I slipped it on, it pulled tightly around my waist, clinging to every curve snugly. I had to hold my breath just to keep the buttons from popping.
Wearing it felt like a kind of punishment, and I knew I wouldn’t be able to eat much at dinner.
Back in the private lounge, I sank into a chair, my hand instinctively clutching my chest. “Thank you, Ms. Larkin.”
Adeline smiled knowingly. “Being young sure has its perks. You wear it far better than I ever could.”
Bennett’s eyes roamed over me, sending a cold shiver down my spine. I sank deeper into the chair, trying to avoid his gaze. But all I did was give him an
even clearer view.
He smirked, and my discomfort only grew. I shifted uneasily, tugging at the left side of my collar.
Luther broke the silence. “Mr. Calder.”
“Yes?” Bennett turned toward him, his attention snapping back to the conversation.
The three of them settled in, talking, drinking, and eating with ease. I was the only one who hadn’t touched my food.
About halfway through, Luther excused himself to the restroom, and Bennett followed soon after.
When they returned, Luther’s expression had darkened. His eyes were filled with anger as they met mine.
I had no idea what had happened. I just sat there quietly, unsure of what to say.
Once I stepped out of the private lounge, there was no one in the hallway except for Adeline. She seemed to be waiting for me.
She met my eyes and said, “Mr. Stone would like you to escort Mr. Calder home.”
“Me? He’s a grown man. Why would he need me to escort him?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
Adeline smiled faintly. “Mr. Calder is quite fond of you. You should be aware of that.”
She reached out and straightened my collar, her voice thick with contempt. “This is your only real asset, isn’t it? Now’s your chance. Mr. Calder’s been watching you since the moment he arrived. Don’t waste it.”
Without warning, she slipped a hotel key card into my hand. “Make sure Mr. Calder has a good time. Whether the deal happens or not, it’s on you now.”
I jerked my hand back like it had been scorched and tried to return the card. “No. I’m not doing this.”
But before I could say another word, Adeline grabbed my wrist tightly and shoved the card back into my hand.
“This is Mr. Stone’s decision. Don’t you get it?” she snapped.
I frowned, unwilling to believe her.
As I reached for my phone, Adeline sneered. “Ms. Miller, don’t act so naive. Do you really think Mr. Stone brought you here just to be a pretty face?
“You have no skills or business acumen. The only reason he brought a woman like you is to give the client a pleasant surprise.”
What a lovely way to put it. I was just a surprise for his client.
But I wasn’t about to accept Adeline’s claim without proof. I insisted on calling Luther myself.
She lifted her hand nonchalantly. “If you don’t believe me, go ahead and try.”
My heart raced as I dialed Luther’s number. Each second thickened the knot of dread in my stomach.
The call went straight to voicemail.
Adeline’s smirk widened. “So, do you believe me now?”
A lump caught in my throat. The pride I had clung to shattered completely in that moment.
“Mr. Stone was just toying with you. Did you really think it meant anything?” Adeline’s words stung sharply, but maybe she was right. I had lost sight of my place.
The truth hit me like a slap, and my anger surged. I met her eyes and said, “Ms. Larkin, go ahead and tell Mr. Stone this affair wasn’t one–sided.
“Lenjoyed it just as much as he did. And as for Mr. Calder, that ‘precious opportunity‘ is all yours. After all, you seem far more experienced than I am.”
Adeline’s jaw dropped in stunned silence. Just as I stepped into the elevator, I heard her shout after me, “Sapphire, have you lost your mind?”
Without looking back, I gave her the middle finger.
By the hotel entrance, Luther’s car waited patiently. I braced myself for the inevitable–his furious tirade, the crushing weight of my parents‘ debt, and the bleak future looming over Ryan.
When I reached the car, Luther rolled down the window. Summoning the last fragments of my pride, I asked, “Mr. Stone, did you really want me to
escort Mr. Calder?”
0
He didn’t even glance at me, his cold eyes fixed on the street. “Is that a problem?”
At that moment, it all came together. Adeline hadn’t lied at all. I was the one who had been fooling myself about how much I mattered.
“No,” I said, steadying myself. “I’m done being your assistant.”
Gropter
