Spencer's birthday party blazed with lights. Everyone understood the importance of that night's event. It was an opportunity to curry favor with Spencer and tap into his powerful influence.

Glasses clinked, and laughter echoed throughout the venue as guests mingled and sipped their drinks. However, the man of the hour, Spencer, looked more and more displeased as time passed.

Ten more minutes dragged by before Spencer finally asked in a low voice, "Has she arrived yet?"

"No, Mr. Cooper. Ms. Farley still hasn't shown up," Peter answered respectfully from beside Spencer. Peter felt terrified the moment he saw Spencer's expression. He recognized that look. It meant that Spencer was far from happy.

Spencer muttered, "What is she doing? I told her not to be late. I was very clear."

Spencer swept his gaze across the venue, frowning. Almost everyone was present except for Elizabeth. Of all 

The sports car stopped in front of the villa, and Spencer didn't waste a single second. He got out of the car and rushed inside.

It was pitch dark. He flicked on the lights and looked around. The villa looked the same as always, but something was different. Elizabeth's slippers were gone.

Courtney's stuff was slowly overtaking the living hall. And just like that, every trace of Elizabeth had vanished little by little.

An inexplicable pressure pressed against Spencer's chest. He moved deeper into the house, still holding on to the hope that Elizabeth was simply asleep somewhere.

He began frantically opening doors, searching every room. In the bathroom, her toothbrush was gone. The towel rack only held his and Courtney's towels now. In the kitchen, Elizabeth's favorite mug was missing. There was only a faint circular mark left behind.

Every trace of Elizabeth's time here was fading aw

On the day of Spencer's birthday, Elizabeth woke unusually early. She opened the window for some fresh air, only to spot him talking to a few close friends in the garden.

"Spencer, I heard that Courtney personally planned your birthday this time. She's been clinging to you nonstop lately. If she tries to get back together with you tonight, would you say yes?"

"Come on. What's there to ask? Of course he would."

Despite being teased by his friends, Spencer remained as calm and composed as ever. "We'll see," he said.

One of Spencer's friends clicked his tongue and said, "Look at you—acting all confident. I bet you've already got the hint that she's planning to confess tonight!"

"But if you and Courtney get back together, what would happen to Elizabeth? Why don't you hand her over to me? I think she's got a decent face. Let me play with her for a few days and help you get rid of her."

"Now that you put it that way, I want a share too. I've had my eye on her for a while now. The thought of her moaning and calling me 'daddy' in bed makes my bones melt."

The laughter that followed was thick with ill intent.

Elizabeth bit down on her lip and stood motionless. Her gaze then instinctively drifted to Spencer.

A faint smile lingered on his lips, but his eyes held no warmth. "You've been around me long enough, and still don't know the rules. What's mine—whether I want it or not—is never for others to touch. 

"I'll have her transferred to the assistant's office after that. Anyone who lays a hand on her will have to answer to me."

A flicker of unease crossed his friends' expressions. They immediately laughed it off.

"We're just joking! Come on. She's been with you for four years. She loves you so much! Even if you just kept her only as a decoration in your office, I bet she would be happy with that."

"But what if Courtney gets jealous and pressures you to get rid of Elizabeth once you get back together with her? You've kept Elizabeth for four years now. Will you hesitate if that's the case?"

Spencer took a slow sip of his coffee. His voice was cold and indifferent again as he said, "Keeping her was always just for entertainment. What's there to hesitate about?"

The casualness of his words struck Elizabeth, but the pain in her heart had long since subsided.

…

Once Elizabeth finished her morning routine, she headed downstairs for a drink, only to come face to face with Courtney.

The moment their eyes met, a flicker of irritation crossed Courtney's face as she groaned, "You've taken my money. Just how long do you plan to stick around? My patience has its limits."

Elizabeth glanced at her phone to see that her professor had sent a notice for a group meeting.

Without a ripple of emotion, she calmly answered, "Don't worry. After today, I'll disappear without a trace. You won't ever see me again."

"What do you mean by that?" A familiar voice suddenly cut through the air as both women sharply turned to find Spencer standing by the doorway.

Courtney's heart skipped a beat. She hurried over to him, trying to steer the conversation elsewhere by saying, "Oh, it's nothing! We're just talking! The villa's quite a drive from here. Shouldn't we get going?"

Spencer didn't question further. He checked the time and nodded. "You're right. We should go."

With that, he reached for the car keys while Courtney slipped into her heels.

Elizabeth, however, remained still. 

Noticing her lack of response, Spencer turned back to her. "Why are you just standing there? Aren't you going to change into your dress?" he asked.

They were, in fact, headed to his birthday party. However, Elizabeth had no intention of attending it.

"You two go on ahead. Don't worry about me," she said.

Her indifferent tone darkened Spencer's expression as he warned, "If you don't come with us and miss the party, don't come crying to me later."

"I won't."

Elizabeth's tone was far too certain. It left Spencer inexplicably unsettled, as if something was slipping out of his control.

He frowned and was about to question her again when Courtney tugged his hand, steering him away with practiced ease.

"Let's not wait if she's too busy. It would be rude to keep the guests waiting. Besides, I've prepared a surprise! I can't wait for you to see it!" With just a few words, she neatly redirected his attention. 

With that, Spencer cast Elizabeth a final glance before leaving with Courtney.

Elizabeth took her time packing. With everything finally in place, she stood at the heart of the villa she'd called home for four years and took one last look.

Everything—the piano Spencer bought for her, her favorite scented candles, and even the cat allowed in the master bedroom—had once made her believe that she was loved.

But now, she finally understood that none of that tenderness had ever been meant for her. It was all for that woman named Courtney Gallagher.

Spencer had someone he truly loved, and Elizabeth had her own life waiting.

She left without a trace of hesitation, dragging her suitcase behind her as she headed straight to the airport.

…

The flight attendant made several rounds before takeoff, reminding passengers to switch off their phones.

Just before turning off her phone, Elizabeth hesitated. She took a deep breath and sent a final message.

"Mr. Cooper, I won't be attending your birthday party today. I hope you have a lovely time. Thank you for everything over the years. I'm going on an affair now. Goodbye, and I hope we never meet again."

However, she hadn't noticed that autocorrect had changed "abroad" to "affair." Without double-checking, she turned off her phone and glanced out the window.

It was a bright, cloudless day, the sky a pure, unbroken expanse of blue. The days ahead without him would be just as clear, too.

Spencer's birthday party blazed with lights. Everyone understood the importance of that night's event. It was an opportunity to curry favor with Spencer and tap into his powerful influence.

Glasses clinked, and laughter echoed throughout the venue as guests mingled and sipped their drinks. However, the man of the hour, Spencer, looked more and more displeased as time passed.

Ten more minutes dragged by before Spencer finally asked in a low voice, "Has she arrived yet?"

"No, Mr. Cooper. Ms. Farley still hasn't shown up," Peter answered respectfully from beside Spencer. Peter felt terrified the moment he saw Spencer's expression. He recognized that look. It meant that Spencer was far from happy.

Spencer muttered, "What is she doing? I told her not to be late. I was very clear."

Spencer swept his gaze across the venue, frowning. Almost everyone was present except for Elizabeth. Of all the people to show up late, it had to be her.

"Spencer, stop waiting for her. She loves playing the

Chapter 9