Chapter 78
I may have just been a lowly secretary, but I still made Brandi enjoy the feeling of being envied by others.
“Hah. Those two are really idiots, Mom,” she said. “Whatever Sloane likes, I’m going to take it from her. Everything she has–I’ll snatch it all, even if it’s just a pathetic secretary like Gunner.“>
Somehow, I felt like a coward who couldn’t confront her. But it felt like the hell inside me was about to rupture.
Clutching my aching chest, I breathed heavily, as though each breath cost me.>
The more I stood there, the more I heard, and the heavier the guilt pressed down.
Soon, I was in my car. “Go to Premier Collective!”
I stumbled my way to Sloane’s office–only to find it had already been overtaken by Brandi’s stuff. I recognized all of it. Some of it, I had even bought myself.”
“What the hell are you doing? This is Sloane’s office. Why are Brandi’s things here?”
I was just a secretary, technically. But no one dared talk back to me–the presence I carried didn’t belong to some disposable employee.§ “Sir, Miss Sloane has left the company. From today on, we’re officially renaming the company to Bloomberg Entertainment.“}
I didn’t quite understand, so I quickly called my assistant.
“Find out where Sloane went. And get me everything–every single thing that happened to her in the Bloombergs‘ place over the years. I want every detail!”
“S–Sir… Miss Sloane… She already got married.”
“What… What did you just fucking say?”
That’s when I found out–the Astors and the Bloombergs had an arranged marriage!
I flipped through the files my assistant had compiled.§
[Thrown into a cesspit.
[Homework ripped up.”
[Scary animals stuffed into drawers.
[Locked in dark rooms.§
[Not allowed at the dinner table.]}
The list made my skin crawl.}
‘I remembered… Sloane had mentioned these things before, but I never… I never imagined it was her who suffered all that from Brandi. Not… not the other way around?!‘}
There were even records of Brandi’s countless boyfriends over the years. The photos–every last one–were of her wildly tangled up in bed with one man after another.}
“And one more thing, sir. The one who saved you was actually… Miss Sloane. Her sister Miss Brandi only walked over after Miss Sloane had changed out of the dress. Miss Brandi… stole the credit.“}
Suddenly, I remembered what Brandi had said. “Whatever Sloane likes, I’m going to take it.”
‘Everything I had believed in over the years turned into a goddamn joke?!“}}
I thought of all I had done to Sloane, and my breathing faltered.}
“Hey, Gunner,” Brandi said, snapping me out of my thoughts. “Let’s eat and celebrate tonight? I already made reservations,”
That plan reminded me of what she told her mother. “Before I marry the Carnegies sole heir, I have to sleep with Gunner first.“}
My eyes darkened with a sharp, cold glint as I replied, “Sure.“}
I never noticed it before, but now, looking at this youngest Bloomberg, I realized she didn’t even come close to Sloane. Every gesture of this whore felt exaggerated and fake. Her eyes that used to look innocent were now filled with manipulation.
At the restaurant, Brandi offered me something. “This is my favorite juice, Gunner. Here, try it!”
Her red lipstick left some stain on the glass. If I didn’t overhear everything she said, I would’ve eagerly taken a sip like a fool. Now, it made my stomach churn.
For a moment, she chatted with the server, and I took the chance to secretly pour the juice out.
“You okay, Gunner? You know, there’s a room upstairs–I’ll take you up to rest.“>
Upstairs, Lstopped her from turning on the lights. My hands roamed over her, aimless and cold, but her heart probably swelled with satisfaction. I may not have money, but my face could crush any man she’d ever been with.B
When I saw how wild she was already becoming, that was when I pushed her away.!!
“Wait for me on the bed. I’ll take off my clothes–don’t turn on the lights.“%
The way I said it–low, magnetic–stripped away her sense of reason. That goddamn whore could only obey #
Later, my assistant called. “Sir, everything’s been arranged just as you instructed. Tomorrow, during the anniversary celebration, everyone will know the truth.”
