Chapter 2

"Hey Tory, sorry I'm late today." I sat by my sister's bedside, gently running my fingers through her hair. Though I'd hired a caregiver, they didn't stay through the night. "Looks like I'll have to start coming by earlier from now on. Your sores have flared up again." After cleaning Tory with a damp towel, I curled up on the caregiver's bed and soon fell asleep. Following my routine, I arrived at the office early the next morning. I had already arranged all of the day's meetings the night before. Though Camille had inherited her father's title as chairwoman, she had never once stepped foot inside the company. On paper, I was just her secretary. In practice, the authority I exercised was nearly equal to hers. Even so, I always remembered my place. I kept a low profile and treated everyone with respect. At the end of the day, I was merely a contract employee. As the meeting commenced, I switched my phone to silent. But halfway through, it began to vibrate relentlessly. I glanced at the others and quickly apologized, "Excuse me, I need to take this call." Stepping out of the conference room, I answered the phone. A furious shout hit my ears like a slap. "Max! Where the hell did you go? Didn't I tell you to wait right outside the door?" "Ms. Layton, I'm at the office. I had an early meeting this morning." After a brief pause, Camille snapped, "Then who the hell is supposed to drive me? Do you want me to take a taxi?" A subtle tremor stirred inside my ear, followed by a faint ringing. "I'm sorry. I'll come pick you up." As I ended the call, a bitter laugh escaped me. The man Camille just slept with didn't even offer her a ride home. Perhaps making me suffer was the only way she could stay in control. In the underground garage, I started the car and pulled away from the office building. With my contract coming to an end, I knew it was time to start plotting my own escape. … It wasn't long before I arrived at the hotel where Camille was staying. She stormed down the stairs, and anger was blazing in her eyes. Before I could even react, two sharp slaps struck my face. Camille certainly didn't hold back. My skin burned as red finger marks appeared on my face. "You bastard! I told you to wait outside. How dare you leave?" I pressed my hand to my cheek, swallowing the words I wanted to say. "Get going!" Camille snapped before climbing into the passenger seat. Her arms were tightly crossed, and her face was flushed with frustration. I rubbed my cheek and started the engine. The car surged forward, heading toward the Layton residence. The estate was grand, guarded by two imposing stone lions at the entrance. The butler greeted us as we pulled into the garage. As soon as Camille stepped inside, she began to voice her complaints. An elderly man in plain clothes listened intently. His piercing eyes never left me. "Alright, my sweetheart, I understand now," he said. "Dad, why do you have to keep him glued to me?" Camille complained in front of Benson Layton, exaggerating everything that happened between us yesterday. She didn't dare mention her reckless night with some stranger. Instead, she only said I had left her after she'd been drinking. "You don't understand!" Benson's voice turned cold as soon as my name was mentioned. "Having Max by your side is the right thing to do." "By my side? Please, he's just mooching off our family!" Camille snapped back. Though Benson doted on Camille, his expression darkened at her words. "Don't say that. If it weren't for what happened three years ago, do you really think I'd have him following you around like this?" Catching Benson's steely glare, Camille knew the argument was over. She spun on her heel, her ponytail flicking through the air. A glimmer of disdain flashed in her gaze. "Don't think that winning my father's favor will stop me from despising you. "You're nothing but a pathetic parasite!"