Chapter 6

Her back tightened.

She knew William had a bad temper.

But she had only seen this particular move once before, last year when he caught the person who leaked company secrets.

After a moment, Kimberly bent, picked up the broken pen, and walked back.

She set it gently on the desk, wanting to speak but holding back.

Then she turned to leave in silence.

At the door, another thought stopped her.

She went over and over the sudden change in his attitude, every word from that night and the past two days, then placed it against his personality.

Was he suddenly cold to her because...

She was not someone without a mouth. Nor was she the type to drag things out.

Better to clear it up.

Kimberly turned and walked back to the desk. Tentatively, she asked, “Are you angry because I didn’t move to Crestwater Estate?”

William had been surprised the moment she returned.

Hearing her question, he was surprised again.

Last night, she had kept him at arm’s length. Now she had figured it out?

Was she finally softening to him?

The cold in William’s eyes eased a little. He looked at her slowly.

“And if I am? If I’m not?”

Kimberly answered directly. “If you are, I can explain. If you’re not, I want to know what I did to upset you.”

William rose gradually and planted both hands on the desk.

Leaning toward her across it, his voice turned low and sensual.

“Then explain it to me.”

Kimberly’s gaze moved over his face for a moment.

His features had softened, and even his voice had gentled.

He seemed to be like this. He liked people yielding to him. Submitting to his will.

Kimberly lowered her lashes and prepared to have a calm, honest conversation with him.

“You said before that you would never marry...”

She had only gotten that far when the door was suddenly pushed open.

“Will.”

All three of them froze.

The closeness between Kimberly and William landed in Janet’s eyes.

Only when Janet came in did William straighten.

Janet apologized immediately. “I’m sorry, Will. I forgot to knock. Is it okay if I come in?”

William sat back down, his expression mild. “What is it?”

Janet carried a folder to the desk and smiled at Kimberly.

“Ms. Martinez, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know only management could have private offices. I’ll give yours back to you, all right?”

Janet’s smile was kind, but Kimberly could read the emotion underneath.

She looked at Kimberly as if Kimberly were the other woman.

Kimberly squeezed out a ghost of a smile.

“No need.”

“Mr. Carter, if there’s nothing else, I’ll go.”

William looked as though he wanted to speak. His knuckles tightened, but he swallowed the words.

Kimberly had not yet reached the door when Janet’s sweet voice floated from behind her.

“Will, the hotel information for our engagement is ready. Which hotel do you think is better?”

As Kimberly was about to close the door, she heard William answer gently.

“Choose whichever one you like.”

Kimberly’s heart clenched, again and again, sour pain spreading through it.

He really was getting engaged.

He had probably been preparing for it before he told her to move out.

Kimberly’s mouth twisted in self-mockery.

Sometimes, perhaps she was better off keeping her mouth shut.

If she had confessed her feelings just now, if she had even tried to ask him to keep her...

Then the humiliation would have been entirely self-inflicted.

Kimberly needed a while to steady herself before she went to Eric’s office.

She knocked and asked politely, “Eric, has my new desk been arranged?”

Eric Scott gave her a courteous smile.

“Mr. Carter said you can use my office for now.”

Kimberly almost laughed.

Eric’s office had the exact same layout and orientation as hers.

William had not given Eric’s office to Janet. He had given away Kimberly’s.

Then, through a roundabout path, he wanted Kimberly to move into Eric’s.

Without thinking, Kimberly replied, “No, thank you. I remember there are still open desks in the public area. Check for me, please. I’ll move there.”

Eric frowned, troubled. “That...”

Kimberly looked straight at him.

“Eric, you’re a smart man.”

Eric sighed softly. “Fine. We’ll do it your way. Sit for a moment.”

Once Kimberly sat down, Eric checked the available desk numbers and told her one. Then he could not help speaking frankly.

“There’s no one else here. We’ve worked together for nearly three years, so forgive me for saying too much. You should start making plans for yourself.”

Kimberly looked at him calmly for several seconds.

Eric knew about her relationship with William. Back when her family fell apart, he had handled many things under William’s orders.

She nodded and smiled. “Thank you, Eric. I understand.”

Then she took a card from her bag and handed it to him.

“He gave this to me. I never used it. What I owe him from before, I’ll pay back slowly. Please pass it to him for me.”

Eric did not take it. He frowned.

“This is something you should give him yourself.”

Kimberly’s hand paused. She took the card back.

“All right. Eric, before... was I the other woman? They don’t seem like a couple who broke up and got back together.”

“Of course you weren’t.” Eric sighed. “They hadn’t confirmed a relationship before. Their families arranged something between them. I don’t know the details. I think they’ll be discussing the engagement over the next few days. Mr. Carter has his own difficulties. Don’t hate him.”

A shallow smile rested on Kimberly’s lips.

“He’s my benefactor. How could I hate him? Thank you, Eric. I’m fine.”

What difficulty could there be for someone like William, a man with endless power and money?

If it were about a marriage alliance, Carter Group was already an industry leader — it hardly needed one.

If the story grew even more melodramatic and Janet had saved his life, then with William’s personality, he would use money and power to repay her. He would not sacrifice himself.

Kimberly knew him too well.

If he did not want to do something, no one could touch his bottom line or force him into it. Not even his family.

There was only one possibility.

He wanted to marry Janet.

Maybe when Kimberly climbed into his bed three years ago and he told her he would never marry her, that had already explained everything.

In the end, she was the one indulging a fantasy.

Kimberly stood slowly.

“Eric, get back to work. I’ll make Mr. Carter’s coffee first. I’ll move my things myself later.”

Eric watched her leave, his brows pulled tight.

Kimberly wasn’t crying or making a scene. Did she really not care at all?

Maybe after going through such a storm, she could stay calm about anything.

Kimberly had just reached the pantry when a message from William arrived.

[What were you going to tell me earlier? Come here.]

Kimberly breathed deeply. Her pale, slender fingers moved across the screen.

[Earlier, I wanted to explain that my mother is alive because of you. The only reason I escaped the insults, threats, and harm from those creditors is that you stepped in.]

[You will always be my benefactor, and my mother’s benefactor. So I will obey every decision you make unconditionally. I promise I won’t cause you any trouble.]

Thinking of the question she had asked in his office, she added one more message.

[As for Crestwater Estate, thank you, Mr. Carter. I didn’t refuse because I was angry. It simply wouldn’t be appropriate. Please don’t be upset over it. In any case, thank you.]

Even over text, Kimberly’s words were sincere and calm.

It was over.

Every last hope she had cherished had been crushed by her own hand and buried in her heart.

On the other end, William stared at the phone. Sharp fury gradually lit his eyes.

To her, he really was only a debt.

Getting into his bed. Obeying him. All of it.

This woman had no heart.

...