Chapter 4

Ronan's words made Cassandra's eyes sting. A long time ago, she had gone to deliver a set of signed contracts and fallen into a competitor's trap. They had locked her in a storage room, and Ronan had searched all over the city until he found her. Once he did, he had pulled her into his arms and soothed her. "It's okay. I'm here now." He had sounded so indifferent, yet she never forgot what he said. Cassandra had been naive enough to believe he might actually like her. Now that she thought about it, he was downright despicable. Ronan didn't like her, and he hadn't even bothered to find out what really happened before he punished her. "Don't touch me!" Cassandra couldn't break free, so she bit down hard enough that he had to let go. Frowning, Ronan started the car in silence. When they got back to the villa, he carried her straight into the living room and dropped her onto the soft couch. Cassandra was about to explode when Ronan handed her a warm sandwich. "Eat, then go to work," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. Cassandra turned her face away. "I don't need you meddling in my life. Keep your distance!" "Keep my distance?" Ronan's mouth curved slightly. He braced one hand beside her, looking almost amused. "Can you even take it?" The words cut into her like a blade. He had always known she couldn't do without him. Yet, he watched her fall for him like he wasn't part of it at all. That faint teasing tone sounded less like a question and more like a victor's smug provocation. Cassandra bit her lip and stayed silent. Ronan studied her pale face for a moment before speaking again. "You didn't do it on purpose today, so why didn't you defend yourself?" Cassandra froze. So, he had seen it. "What's the point?" Her voice turned sharp with sarcasm. "No one would believe me anyway." Elaine and Howard always took Marissa's side. They had already decided Cassandra was the problem. Anything she said would be useless. ​​"I believe you." His tone never changed, but the words hit her right in the heart. She stared at him, then let out a silent, bitter laugh. Was that how he showed his trust in her? By locking her in the cold storage? If that was what his trust looked like, she didn't want it. "Marissa is your sister. She's kind. Why do you have to treat her like an enemy?" Ronan asked. Cassandra dug her nails into her palm. "It has nothing to do with you!" She shoved him away, walked into the guest room, and slammed the door hard enough to rattle the frame. Ronan didn't come to see her at all that day. Marissa, on the other hand, kept texting her. Ronan had spent the whole day with Marissa. They went out on a yacht and ate dinner by candlelight. They danced a waltz on the deck, bathed in the gentle pink of sunset. He twisted open bottle caps for her and passed her a napkin while she ate. When she said she was cold, he had taken off his jacket and draped it over her. Those careful gestures were things Cassandra had never once received. Ronan hardly ever smiled, yet he smiled so brightly at Marissa. It felt like salt rubbed into an open wound. Cassandra pulled the blanket over her head and booked a flight for half a month later. There were only two weeks left. Once the paperwork was done, she and Ronan would be over for good. The next morning, she got up early and ran straight into Ronan as he was heading out. "Get in the car." Cassandra turned to leave, but Ronan yanked her back, pushed her into the seat, and shut the door. "Let go!" She struggled to get out. "You want me to pin you down in the car and make you late?" Cassandra went still. His expression didn't look like a joke. She had a crucial meeting today. She had stayed up night after night preparing her proposal. She was confident it would be accepted as an excellent plan. Since she had to be on time, she stopped fighting. When the meeting started, Marissa was scheduled to present before Cassandra did. And the second Marissa's slides appeared on the screen, Cassandra's face changed. The proposal was identical to hers. "Good morning, everyone," Marissa began smoothly. "Let me present my proposal..." "That isn't her proposal!" Cassandra shot to her feet, rage cracking through her voice as she cut Marissa off. "That's my proposal. She stole it!" Marissa looked startled, her eyes instantly turning red as she put on a pitiful act. "Cassandra, you can't just say things like that. This is obviously my proposal." "You're lying!" Cassandra turned sharply toward Ronan, her chest tight. "That proposal is mine!" She had built it right in front of him, and he had even made suggestions. But when her eyes met his, Ronan only said coolly, "Cassandra, this is an important meeting. Don't cause trouble." Then, he looked at Marissa. "Marissa, please continue." Cassandra froze. Something inside her seemed to collapse in that instant. So, this was what he meant when he said he believed her. He handed over her work like it meant nothing. He let her dignity be trampled and left her to be humiliated. Whispers rose around the room. "Cassandra has always been arrogant. She loves stealing credit." "Exactly. She's just a pretty face. What real ability does she have? Mr. Pierce is being fair here. He can tell right from wrong." "Only Marissa has real talent!" Marissa glanced at Cassandra, her eyes full of smug satisfaction and open provocation. "Everyone, please keep looking at the screen..." Before she could finish, Cassandra moved. She walked straight up to Marissa. Under everyone's stunned stares, she curled her red lips into a cold smile and grabbed a water glass. Then, she slammed it down on Marissa's laptop.