When the door opened, it was Brandon, looking like he was about to leave. Sarah tightened her fingers, composed herself, and nodded politely. “Hello, Brandon.” Then she stepped past him to deliver the documents.

Behind the luxurious desk sat a man in an expensive suit, looking particularly handsome.

But Sarah noticed that this wasn’t the suit he had worn last night. She lowered her gaze. “Mr. Taylor, here’s the marketing report. Please sign it.” Eric’s expression remained emotionless as he signed the document and handed it back to her.

Sarah took the document and turned to leave. Brandon was still standing at the door, looking surprised. It wasn’t until Sarah’s figure disappeared at the elevator that Brandon muttered, “Damn, you think Sarah overheard anything?”

Eric’s sharp eyes showed no hint of emotion; Brandon’s comment didn’t even register with him. Sarah had always been gentle; she wasn’t the jealous type. As long as Sarah behaved, Eric would treat her well.

In the elevator, Sarah tilted her head back, trying to stop the tears from falling, but they slipped down her cheeks anyway, quickly disappearing into her hair.

She had thought that two years would be enough to win Eric’s love, that he would finally see how good she was.

But all of this was just Sarah’s wishful thinking. The truth was, no matter how hard she tried, she thought she could never compare to Eric’s ex. And now, she was back.

By the time the elevator doors opened, Sarah had managed to regain her composure, though her face was still a bit pale. She walked, exhaustedly, to the break room, hoping a cup of coffee would help clear her head.

Inside, the chatter of a few employees drifted into Sarah’s ears.

“Did you see the news? Vanessa’s back.”

“Who’s she?”

“You don’t know? Vanessa’s father is the CEO of Skyward Dynamics, and she’s a top Fashion Stylist.

More importantly, she’s the only girlfriend our CEO has ever acknowledged. I heard she was Mr. Taylor’s first love.”

“But isn’t there a rumor that Mr. Taylor is involved with Sarah?”

“Sarah? At best, she’s just Mr. Taylor’s bedmate. He’s never acknowledged her. Sarah’s so arrogant, thinking she’ll become Mrs. Taylor—what a fool!”

Sarah bit her lip and let out a bitter laugh, realizing that everyone else seemed to see the situation more clearly than she did.

She was the only one who didn’t see it.

A mocking voice came from behind her. It was Eric’s cousin, Brianna Ford, who had never gotten along with Sarah. Brianna had clearly overheard the employees’ gossip.

Not wanting to cause a scene at work, Sarah turned to leave, but Brianna blocked her way.

Holding a freshly brewed cup of coffee, Brianna sneered, “Now that Vanessa’s back, do you really think Eric will keep sleeping with trash like you?”

Sarah ignored her, but Brianna continued to taunt her. “Need me to introduce you to a few old men? After all, you’re good in bed. It doesn’t matter who you sleep with.”

Sarah’s hands clenched tightly at her sides. Coldly, she replied, “This is a company, not a brothel, Miss Ford. If you want to do business, you should go elsewhere.”

“You…” angered by the insinuation, Brianna’s expression twisted. Suddenly, she threw the hot coffee at Sarah.

Sarah hadn’t expected Brianna to act so unhinged. She hastily reached out to block it, but the hot coffee spilled on her arm, instantly turning her fair skin bright red.

Sarah winced in pain and yelled, “What the hell are you doing?”

It was break time, and many employees were watching the drama unfold, which only made Brianna more smug.

She sneered, “What are you so proud of? You think people don’t know you’re a slut? Just like your mother, a whore.”

“You…” Smack! Brianna’s words were cut off by a sharp slap.

She never considered that timid Sarah would actually hit her. She was at a loss for what to do. After a moment, she seethed, “How dare you hit me?”

Sarah looked at Brianna coldly. “I’m teaching you some manners.” Sarah had no parents, but she still wouldn’t allow anyone to slander them.

Sarah’s grandmother, Phoebe, had told Sarah that her mother was a very gentle woman, not at all like what Brianna said.

Brianna’s face turned livid with rage. As Eric’s cousin, she was used to being arrogant and domineering.

This was the first time she had been humiliated like this. “You bitch!” Brianna charged at Sarah like a madwoman, raising her hand to strike Sarah in the face, but Sarah was on guard.

She quickly grabbed Brianna’s wrist, preventing her from moving. Brianna, who was shorter than Sarah, looked like a flailing octopus, which made her appear ridiculous to the onlookers.

Her face flushed with anger as she spat out, “You think you’re someone special? You’re just Eric’s plaything in bed. You’re not even as good as a prostitute!” Brianna’s harsh words drew more onlookers.

“Stop!” A deep male voice suddenly cut through the air. Eric had just come out of his office and was watching the scene. Instantly, the break room fell silent.

“Eric?” Brianna was a little afraid of him. Eric was strict, and Brianna’s mother had always warned her to restrain herself in front of him.

But thinking about how she had been slapped, Brianna felt indignant. Her cheek was flushed, and she whimpered, “Eric, look at Sarah. She’s…she’s lost her mind.”

Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting shadows on Eric’s handsome face. The pain from the burn on Sarah’s hand and the injustice she felt made her want to cry.

Her gaze met Eric’s, and his brow furrowed. “Miss Thompson,” he said to Sarah, “have you forgotten the company’s rules?” Eric’s coldness was like a blade, cutting off Sarah’s breath.

The room was silent.

Sarah stood alone, frail but resolute. When she first joined the company, Eric had told her that he would always be there for her, that he wouldn’t allow her to lose her self-awareness Sarah knew this and understood Eric’s position.

But right now, Sarah wanted to ask if he had heard what Brianna said, or if he had silently agreed with her. Sarah wondered if she was nothing more than Eric’s plaything.

After Eric’s arrival, the colleagues who had been watching the drama quickly dispersed, though a few dared to stand at a distance, curious to see what would happen next.

Eric’s icy gaze made Sarah’s spine tingle. She clenched her fists, suppressing the overwhelming sadness, and lowered her head to Brianna.

“I’m sorry. As an employee of NovaTech Industries, I shouldn’t have hit you.”

Seeing Sarah’s bowed head, Brianna smugly lifted her chin. “Hmph! Don’t think you can get away with just an apology…”

Before Brianna could finish, Sarah interrupted her. “I slapped you in my own name. As Sarah, I refuse to apologize.” With that, Sarah didn’t even glance at Eric as she walked past him.

“You…you bitch!” Brianna’s face contorted with rage. She was used to overbearing others, but this was the first time she herself had been humiliated.

She had been humiliated by a woman she looked down on in society.

Now, even if Brianna tore Sarah to pieces, it wouldn’t erase the humiliation she felt. Brianna fumed, “Eric, did you hear what that bitch said? She slapped me! She’s so arrogant. Call her back—I want to slap her a hundred times!”

Eric’s eyes darkened as he watched Sarah’s frail figure retreat. “That’s enough,” Eric said coldly.

Brianna was a tough character, and Eric’s impartiality made her believe that he didn’t care about Sarah. Brianna gritted her teeth and spat venomously, “I’ll find someone to ruin her face!”

“Brianna!”

Eric’s voice made her jump. Brianna felt a chill run down her spine.

Eric’s handsome face was dark. “I won’t say it again. Put away your thoughts and don’t touch Sarah.” Eric’s terrifying aura, combined with the malicious thoughts she had just harbored, made Brianna feel scared.

She stammered, “I understand…”

Eric shot Brianna a frigid glance before walking away. He instructed Rachel, who was following him, “No outsiders are allowed in.”

Brianna, full of naivety, tried to flatter him. “Eric, with a company as big as yours, it’s only right for everyone to follow the rules.”

The next moment, Rachel stepped forward and gestured for her to leave. “Miss Ford, please.”

Only then did Brianna realize that she was the outsider. She wanted to chase after Eric, but she was dragged out by the security Rachel had called. No matter how much Brianna threw a tantrum, the security guards disregarded it.

Sarah returned to her office and changed her clothes. Thinking of Eric’s cold face, her heart was filled with sorrow. It was already time to leave work.

Rachel intercepted Sarah at the exit.

“Miss Thompson, Mr. Taylor has urgent business, so he asked me to take you home.”

Sarah declined. Sarah had always been lost in her bad mood, but now she was finally waking up. She thought to herself, Who did I think I was? How could I ever expect Eric to go with me to visit my grandmother?

When Sarah arrived at the hospital, the nurse was about to feed Phoebe, Sarah’s grandmother. Instead, Sarah took the food and fed her herself.

Phoebe had lived in the countryside, but last month, she had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Despite her objections, Sarah insisted on bringing her to the city for treatment.

She didn’t know about Sarah’s secret marriage, which was why Sarah had planned to bring Eric today, to surprise her.

Now it seemed unnecessary. After Phoebe fell asleep, Sarah left the room and stood at the entrance, waiting for a taxi.

In the distance, a polished black sedan pulled up to the hospital. Sarah’s eyes lit up—it was Eric’s car.

Had he come to find her at the hospital? She momentarily forgot her grievances and unhappiness.

If Eric had come to find her, it must mean that he cared about her.

The car door opened, and Eric stepped out. Sarah happily walked toward him. But the next second, she froze.

Eric walked to the other side of the car, bent down, and carefully lifted a out a woman.

Eric’s handsome face was full of concern and worry. In an instant, Sarah’s face turned pale, and her heart shattered.