Chapter 22
The wind chimes at the coffee shop entrance tinkled softly.
Scarlett stared at Nathaniel, her throat dry. “Mr. Blackwell, do you make a habit of eavesdropping on others?”
Nathaniel lowered his gaze, studying her intently. “Miss Hart, do you make a habit of badmouthing clients behind their backs? What have I done to make you se averse to seeing me?”
Scarlett paused a moment. “Workplace harassment counts, doesn’t it?”
“Harassment?” Nathaniel gave a soft, bitter laugh, pressing his knuckles to his lips before breaking into heavy coughs.
Scarlett flinched, noticing his complexion seemed paler than yesterday. Her instinct was to express concern, but she clenched her hands and resisted.
Having decided to let go, she shouldn’t show unnecessary care.
She said coolly, “If you’re not feeling well, Mr. Blackwell, you should go home.”
Nathaniel stopped coughing and looked up at her. “It’s working hours. I’m here to collect an employee who’s abandoned her post.”
Scarlett frowned. “I’m Mr. Frost’s assistant.”
Not your company’s employee.
Nathaniel nodded. “Yes, which creates a risk of company confidentiality breaches. Until the exhibition, you shouldn’t meet with him.”
Now he’s worried about confidentiality? Yesterday’s blue diamond discussion wasn’t a breach?
Scarlett almost laughed from frustration. She was about to speak, but looking into his eyes, she stopped herself.
She’d have to return to the company anyway-why waste energy on a verbal sparring match?
She stood to leave, but Damian suddenly grabbed her wrist.
Scarlett looked at him in confusion. His lips curved into a faint smile. “She’s merely reporting to her superior. She ultimately belongs to my company.”
Nathaniel stared at him coldly. “But right now, she’s with my company.”
“Is that so?” Damian raised an eyebrow. “How well do you know her? What makes you so certain she’ll go back with you?”
Nathaniel pressed his lips together, his gaze settling on Scarlett’s face.
Damian continued, “Didn’t you just say you don’t want to see him? Fine. I can send someone else to liaise with their company.”
Scarlett stiffened. She turned to Damian, catching his mocking expression. “What are you playing at?” she whispered.
Damian didn’t respond, just watched her with amusement.
Scarlett took a deep breath, realizing Damian was testing her-betting she would prioritize her original wish and voluntarily return to being his subordinate.
She hadn’t wanted to give Damian the satisfaction, but when she turned and saw the forlorn look in Nathaniel’s eyes, refusing to let go…
That same expression he’d had as a spirit, begging her not to leave…
Her heart suddenly collapsed.
She had lost this game.
Being a replacement… fine. Being a subordinate… whatever.
She took a deep breath, pulling away from Damian’s grip. “I’ll do my job properly.”
Until the day she remembered everything and could formally say goodbye to Nathaniel.
After leaving the coffee shop, Nathaniel and Scarlett returned to the company together.
She had expected him to say more, but surprisingly, he went straight to his office and didn’t emerge again.
Before the end of the workday, Riley approached her again.
“From now on, you’ll be Nate’s personal assistant, responsible for his daily needs.”
Scarlett frowned. “That’s not part of my job, and I don’t want the position. Mr. Blackwell has a flancée, doesn’t he?”
Surely Riley wouldn’t agree to this?
Unexpectedly, Riley replied flatly, “I arranged it myself.”
Scarlett froze, looking at Riley in confusion.
Riley placed a file on the desk, indicating she should open it.
Scarlett did so, and after just one glance, she was stunned. These weren’t company documents but hospital reports-records of Nathaniel’s multiple suicide attempts and hospitalizations.
Scarlett’s heart clenched painfully. “What does this mean?”
Riley said. “To be honest, finding someone who can actually get him to talk-I may not like it, but I hope you’ll stay by his side. After all, when that woman died three years ago. Nathaniel practically lost his mind.”
Scarlett’s fingers tightened as Riley looked at her steadily, her voice heavy with emotion:
“Every time I brought him to the hospital, he’d say Scarlett only appeared when he was near death.”
