Chapter 61

Scarlett's POV

The biting cold wind swept across my cheeks as I stood at the foot of the apartment building, watching Alexander's tall figure.

The words I had just blurted out seemed to still hang in the air. I could hardly believe I had said that sentence.

"Is that so? Congratulations."

Alexander nodded slightly, pulling out a cigarette from his suit's inner pocket with elegant, unhurried movements.

His long fingers caressed the lighter as he lit the cigarette and took a deep drag.

I watched the smoke curl in the dim streetlight, blurring his expression but failing to conceal the fleeting emotion in his eyes.

Congratulations? That's his reaction? My heart sank sharply. I couldn't help but find it somewhat amusing and perhaps a little disappointing—like the sensation of being pushed from a height.

"I was just joking with you," I said, striving to keep my voice steady, yet feeling something lodged in my throat.

I recalled last week when I had naively told Alexander that I believed intimacy would deepen love.

Now I clearly realized that perhaps only I had foolishly believed in this possibility. He had never cared; to him, this might have all been just a game.

Without waiting for his response, I turned and quickly walked toward the apartment entrance.

I listened to the sound of my high heels striking the ground, particularly crisp in the silent night, betraying my barely concealed panic.

Alexander made no move to stop me, and I didn't look back, not wanting him to see the tears on my face.

I felt a sharp pain in my chest, as if something had shattered there, its fragments piercing my heart.

I was the one who tested him first, wanting to see his reaction when he learned about my pregnancy, but why did I feel hurt when I heard his congratulations?

Entering the apartment, I immediately locked the door and leaned against it, taking deep breaths.

My fingers trembled as I took out my phone and dialed that familiar yet hateful number. Each ring felt like a needle pricking my nerves.

"When can I see Yvette? When will you release her? I've done so much for you, isn't that enough to offset... Hello?" I struggled to control my voice, not wanting to reveal my inner fear and urgency.

But the call suddenly disconnected.

Damn it!

I glared at the screen, my chest heaving violently, my heart beating so fast it felt like it would burst from my ribcage.

Throwing off my high heels dejectedly, I collapsed onto the cold floor, feeling as if all strength had been drained from my body.

When would this transaction finally end?

Since piecing together all my memories, I realized Yvette had been held captive by them for so long. I couldn't even imagine what she had gone through all these years.

Every call with people from Obsidian Palace felt like psychological torture, but I had no choice.

I closed my eyes, trying to calm my breathing. Stay calm, Scarlett. There's always a way to solve problems.

I told myself this, but deep down, I knew all too well that this vortex would only pull me deeper.

The next morning, Silverlight City's sky displayed a pale grayish-blue.

I entered the Harber Group headquarters and looked up. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, I could see the towering skyscrapers of the business district. They gleamed with cold brilliance in the morning light, like witnesses to countless events in this city.

Just as I entered the office, I saw my colleague Jessie Miller walking toward me, her face bearing a concerned expression.

"Scarlett, we heard you were injured. How are you recovering?" Jessie asked, the worry in her eyes appearing genuine.

"I'm fine, thank you," I nodded and walked toward my desk, feeling the subtle gazes of others in the office following me.

I noticed several colleagues exchanging glances before one quietly approached me.

"Be careful, don't go into George's office right now. His father's in there, and he looks quite angry."

I nodded silently in gratitude and began gathering my personal belongings. My movements were gentle, but seemed particularly noticeable in the quiet office environment. I could feel my colleagues occasionally observing my actions.

"Scarlett, what are you doing..." Jessie's voice sounded behind me, tinged with unease and confusion.

I turned around. "I'm here to resign today. Thank you all for your care these past few years. I'll treat everyone to dinner sometime." I said with a polite smile on my lips, though my cheeks felt stiff.

"What? You're resigning!" Jessie's voice rose several decibels, drawing the attention of others in the office.

Seeing the surprised expressions and whispers around me, I actually felt calmer.

"Yes, I'm getting married," I offered a cautious smile. This excuse couldn't have been more perfect.

Just as I finished speaking, the CEO's office door burst open with a dull thud.

I instinctively tensed my body as Clifford strode out, his anger almost palpable around him.

I watched him scan the office before his gaze finally settled on me.

"So Miss Smith is actually an employee of our Harber Group?" He approached me, his tone filled with disbelief.

I felt my throat tighten but forced myself to remain calm. We had met at the gathering before—when I was there as Richard's fiancée, not as his grandson George's secretary. "Hello, Mr. Harber," I said, my voice steady.

"Hello. By the way, when might Richard be available? I'd like to arrange a meeting. I wonder if Miss Smith could help with that?" He looked me up and down, his voice calm but carrying an oppressive quality.

My mind raced, considering how to respond to this somewhat presumptuous request.

Just then, I noticed George emerging from his office, his expression appearing tired and tense.

"Grandfather, I'll handle this myself. Please don't trouble Ms. Smith," George said, gently grasping Clifford's elbow.

I watched their interaction, sensing the tension in the atmosphere, silently anxious. Clifford gave George a cold look, let out a snort, and left with an imposing presence.

I stood there, wondering what could prompt Clifford, the power holder of the Harber Group, to personally ask me to arrange a meeting with Richard. Something important must have happened.