Chapter 4

Patricia simply smiled, not saying anything. She remained mysterious by telling everyone that they'd soon find out who she was marrying. The others might not know, but Calista knew very well that she was marrying Noah. If she remembered correctly, Patricia had been Noah's junior in college. During the first year of the foundation of Skeldon Group, Noah had made an exception and hired Patricia to work in the company. At the time, Noah intended to groom her to become his new assistant. But no matter how hard Calista tried to train her, Patricia couldn't even handle the simplest tasks like stamping documents, let alone manage projects or take care of household matters like Calista did. Eventually, Noah gave up the idea of making Patricia his assistant. He reassigned her to the reception area, where she was nothing more than a pretty face. What was laughable was that this so-called pretty face ended up beating Calista and capturing Noah's heart. Over the past 12 years, Calista had fought and struggled alongside Noah. Meanwhile, Patricia didn't have to lift a finger to gain what Calista had worked tirelessly for but never obtained. Calista felt a wave of coldness wash over her. She had poured all her effort into Noah and the company. Yet, in the end, it had all become a cruel joke. Noah was marrying someone else. Just as the others were about to keep questioning Patricia, Noah suddenly appeared. "What are you all standing around for? Don't you have work to do?" At the sound of his voice, everyone scattered and went back to their desks. Noah turned to look at Calista. "I thought you were leaving. Why are you still here?" "Oh, I just happened to hear the receptionist say she's getting married soon. I was going over to congratulate her." At those words, Noah frowned. "She didn't say who she's marrying, did she?" "No, why?" At her answer, Noah visibly relaxed. "Nothing, just asking." Then, he added, "You don't need to make dinner tonight. I'm going out for drinks with a friend, so I'll be back late. Since you're not cooking, take the evening to finish up the bid proposal for the new project. I don't trust anyone else to handle it." Even though he knew she was going on leave, he was still ordering her around like always. Noah was really something. Even while keeping his engagement from Calista, he was still determined to squeeze every last drop of value out of her. But she would no longer let him have his way. Calista didn't respond. Seeing her stay silent, Noah frowned. "Did you hear me?" She didn't answer as she turned and walked away under his gaze. Noah stared at her retreating figure, furrowing his brow. He wondered if it was just his imagination or if Calista was getting weirder lately. However, she had loved and chased after him for 12 years. All he had to do was flash a smile at her, say a few sweet words, and she'd come around like always. At that thought, Noah felt reassured. … Calista returned to the apartment. Looking around the place she'd come to see as a second home, she stood in thought for a moment. Then, she decided to pack up all her things. Since she had decided to leave, she should clear out this apartment that didn't belong to her and make way for the future lady of the house. Calista packed from noon until late at night. Her items filled several suitcases. Night fell, and her stomach growled with hunger. She was just about to grab something to eat when her phone suddenly began to buzz.