Fiona, still shaken, hurriedly changed clothes and quickly said goodbye to her mother and Tom. Her mother, Emma, had wanted to chat for a bit longer, but Fiona was too afraid Rick might go crazy again, so she left the Duan family's place without wasting a second.
Once she got back to her rented apartment, she felt unwell, as if she had been beaten up—her limbs ached all over. She went to bed early and, when she woke up the next morning, she had a stuffy nose, a headache, and a sore throat. It was clear she had caught a cold.
She took a Tylenol she had at home and then headed to work. Fiona was used to arriving at the office thirty minutes early each day to prepare the files for Rick's morning meeting and to make him a cup of hand-brewed coffee.
"Fiona, did you hear? Rick is dating someone!" A colleague from the administrative department leaned in to drop a bombshell as soon as Fiona stepped into the elevator.
Fiona's heart skipped a beat, but she kept her face calm. "Rick's personal life is not something I'm aware of."
"It's all over the internet. It's that celebrity, Sally. Apparently, she was spotted in Rick's Rolls-Royce on her way to a concert last night." The colleague showed Fiona a news photo from the internet.
Sure enough, the picture showed a glamorous female celebrity sitting in Rick's Rolls-Royce.
Fiona's emotions were tangled. Rick had always disliked public attention on his private life, and whenever there was any stir online, he would have someone quickly manage the news. The fact that his gossip with Sally reached the ears of the company employees the next day suggested that he probably didn't want to keep this happy news a secret.
"By the way, June from your department is Sally's cousin. She's been bragging about becoming a noble relative all morning, so watch out," the colleague added.
June and Fiona had both joined the secretary department in the same year. Although June also held the title of Executive Secretary, she lacked Fiona's skills and often found herself overshadowed by Fiona in various situations. This had led to significant resentment from June, to the point where other departments had noticed.
"Thanks for the heads-up," Fiona replied as she stepped out of the elevator and into the secretary department.
As expected, as soon as she walked in, she overheard June talking about Rick and Sally.
"Rick is so good to my sister. Last night, not only did he take her to the concert, but he also got her a role in a movie by a big director…"
"Wow, doesn't that mean your sister will be our boss's wife in the future?"
"Of course! My sister is Rick's first confirmed girlfriend. Just think about it—if Rick didn't like her, would he spread rumors about her?"
Fiona placed her bag on her desk and was about to make coffee for Rick when June called out to her.
"Fiona, you're going to make coffee for Rick, right? Could you make me a cup too?" June demanded, her tone haughty.
"Why? Can't you make it yourself?" Fiona wasn't impressed by her entitled attitude.
"Look at the way you're talking. You're making coffee for Rick anyway, so what's the big deal if you make an extra cup?"
"Rick pays my salary. Have you paid me?"
"Once my sister marries Rick, she'll be the boss of Rick's group. So, rounding it off, your salary will be paid by my sister. Isn't it just a small service for the boss's sister? Don't you feel honored?"
"You're already talking about tomorrow's meals today. Are you too impatient?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"I mean, let's talk about future matters in the future."
June, furious and embarrassed, snapped, "You… remember your attitude! Don't regret it!"
Fiona ignored her and walked straight into the executive office without looking back.
Rick enjoyed hand-brewed coffee, and his office was equipped with a set of high-end hand-brewing tools worth hundreds of thousands. Currently, only Fiona could brew coffee that satisfied Rick with this set of tools. June had always wanted to learn but could never quite master it.
As Fiona finished brewing the coffee, the executive elevator arrived. The staff in the secretary department gathered at the elevator.
When the elevator reached the eighth floor, Rick stepped out. He was dressed in a dark, textured suit, exuding a refined and cold elegance under the lights.
Assistant Bob walked behind Rick, with Fiona and June naturally following them and entering the executive office together to wait for orders.
As usual, Rick first took a sip of the coffee Fiona had prepared for him when he reached his desk. As he put down the coffee cup, he glanced at June.
"June, starting tomorrow, this coffee machine will be replaced with a tea set."
June was thrilled—the troublesome coffee machine was finally going to be retired!
"Sure, Rick! But don't you love coffee?" she asked, feigning surprise.
"I'm tired of it."
When Rick said he was "tired of it," his gaze briefly met Fiona's.
Fiona pressed her lips together, unsure whether he was tired of coffee or tired of her making it.
After the morning meeting, it was a busy and intense workday. Fiona noticed that Rick was unusually indifferent to her today. No, it wasn't just indifference—it was as if she didn't exist at all. Whether handling documents or sending and receiving materials, Rick bypassed her entirely and issued orders directly to June.
June, who had always been Fiona's assistant, was now relishing the spotlight. She looked so smug, she might as well have had her tail wagging.
"Fiona, the tables have turned. Your good days are over," June taunted as the workday neared its end, cornering Fiona in the break room.
"Receiving a paycheck without working sounds like a new beginning for me. Since you enjoy working so much, you can handle more of it from now on," Fiona replied, pushing past June and striding out of the break room in her high heels.
Even though she confronted June with confidence, Fiona felt a pang of disappointment. She sensed a change in Rick. Previously, even if they had just come from bed and walked into the office, they could clearly separate personal and professional matters. Now, it seemed he had brought personal feelings into the workplace.
"Fiona," Bob, Rick's assistant, approached Fiona's desk. "Rick wants you to come with him."
"Where to?"
"Rick didn't say."
"Alright."
Fiona grabbed her bag and followed Bob downstairs. Rick was already waiting in the car. She got into the passenger seat and, trying to maintain her composure, greeted him, "Rick."
Rick didn't respond but simply told the driver, "Let's go."
"Yes, sir."
The driver took them to Lan Hui Pavilion, the largest jewelry store in Rongcheng. Since Rick was coming, the store had been cleared in advance.
"Rick," the store manager greeted Rick as soon as he arrived. "The necklace you requested is ready."
"Bring it over."
"Of course."
The manager, wearing white gloves, handed Rick a valuable sapphire necklace. Rick took the necklace and walked over to Fiona.
"Remove the scarf," he instructed.
Fiona was wearing a beige suit dress with a light-colored scarf around her neck. However, the scarf wasn't merely an accessory; it was there to conceal a love bite on her neck—a mark left by Rick the previous day at his home.
"Rick…"
"Remove it."
Fiona had no choice but to take off the scarf in front of the store manager. As the love bite was exposed, Rick was immediately reminded of their intimate encounter in the guest room the previous day. He felt a surge of heat and an involuntary reaction. Though he didn't want to admit it, Fiona's alluring body was still very tempting to him, no matter how many times they had been together.
Rick stepped closer to block the manager's view, pulling Fiona in front of him and placing the sapphire necklace around her neck. His warm fingers brushed against her skin as he gathered her long hair, making her shiver involuntarily. Her neck had always been a sensitive spot for her. Every time they were intimate, Rick's kisses there would make her melt.
Rick also enjoyed kissing her neck and often left marks there, which was why the scarf had become an essential part of Fiona's wardrobe.
"It looks good," Rick said, looking at her with satisfaction.
Fiona glanced at her reflection in the mirror. Her slender, pale neck and elegant lines perfectly complemented the sapphire necklace. However, she was puzzled by Rick's gesture. She hadn't expected him to bring her here to give her such an expensive gift. Even when they were lovers, he had never been this overt with gifts, let alone now that they had broken up.
"Rick, this necklace is too precious. I can't accept it."
"When did I say it was a gift for you?"
Fiona was taken aback. Rick took the sapphire necklace off and turned to the store manager.
"Bring out the yellow diamond one as well. Let Fiona try it on."
"Yes, sir."
Realizing now that Rick had brought her here merely to try on the necklaces, Fiona's face turned a deep shade of red with embarrassment. After all, he now had a girlfriend—why would he still be involved with her?
"Fiona seems disappointed?" Rick observed with a hint of amusement.
"Sorry, I misunderstood," Fiona replied.
Rick gave a signal to the store manager, who immediately ushered the staff out. The large space was now left with just the two of them.
Rick advanced slowly toward her, leaning against the glass display case and trapping her against his chest.
"Fiona, I'm giving you one last chance. If you're willing to come back to me, all the necklaces here are yours," he said, his dark eyes intense and focused, like a hunter on his prey.
The combined value of the necklaces was in the billions. Normally, which woman could refuse such a handsome and wealthy man offering her such a fortune? But Fiona could not accept.
Rick was now her nominal brother, and rekindling their relationship would be immoral. She placed her hand firmly on his chest and pushed him away with a neutral expression.
"Rick, don't forget about Miss Sally."
"Seen the news?"
"Yes."
"Are you jealous?"
"I'm not. We're over."
"Say it again."
"Rick, we're over." She looked him in the eyes with a resolute tone.
The light in Rick's eyes suddenly grew cold.
"Alright, remember what you said."
---
When Rick left Lan Hui Pavilion, his face was clouded with anger. All the staff stood at the door, holding their breath until he got into the car, at which point one brave employee murmured, "Wasn't Rick here to pick out a necklace for his girlfriend? Why is he so unhappy?"
The store manager shot a glare at the employee. "Mind your own business. Rick's matters are not for you to discuss."
"Yes, sir."
Fiona followed Rick into the car. They passed a flower shop, where Rick asked her to buy a bouquet. Then the car drove straight to the film studio.
Sally was already waiting by her trailer. Dressed in a white gown, she looked like a delicate jasmine swaying in the wind, even more charming in person than on TV.
"Rick!" Seeing the car, Sally ran up excitedly.
Rick got out of the car. Fiona, holding the flowers and gift, followed him with a polite smile.
"Sally, these are from Rick," she said, handing over the flowers and gift.
"Oh, the flowers are beautiful!" Sally looked at Rick with a face full of happiness. "Thank you, Rick. I love them."
Rick nodded and gentlemanly opened the car door for her.
Fiona watched them get into the car, thinking she could finally head home. However, Rick then said, "Fiona, let's go out for dinner first. Arrange for a movie theater nearby."
He wanted to take Sally to the movies too? Rick, known for his workaholic nature, who used to squeeze every moment of the day for work, was now spending time and effort on his girlfriend—choosing gifts, dining, and even going to the movies.
It seemed that even this workaholic robot was softened by love.
"Yes, Rick."
Fiona booked a cinema at Wanquing Plaza and arranged for them to show a romantic movie, adjusting the schedule to fit Rick and Sally's preferences. After dinner, they headed to the theater to watch the film.
The couples' seating area was empty except for them. Sally, sensing the mood, leaned her head on Rick's shoulder, and he didn't push her away.
"Rick is finally in a relationship," Bob, Rick's assistant, remarked excitedly. "In all the years I've worked with Rick, I've never seen a woman close to him."
Fiona glanced at him, feeling a pang of unease.
"Oh, Fiona, I didn't mean you and June aren't women. I meant I've never seen Rick with a woman in a romantic context."
Fiona pressed her lips together. During their two years together, she and Rick had managed to keep their relationship highly confidential, so even Bob, who had been with Rick the longest, had no idea about their past.
"Fiona, are you shivering?" Bob noticed something was off.
"A bit cold."
Bob looked at her—she was indeed dressed lightly, and the draft near the door was strong.
"Would you like to take the car keys and wait inside the car?"
"No, thanks. I'd rather not slack off in front of the boss."
She hoped the movie would end soon. She didn't want to continue watching the affectionate scenes between Rick and Sally.