Chapter 3

The two of them stood there shoulder to shoulder.

Mia's face was red all the way to the tips of her ears.

Ethan was perfectly composed.

He glanced at her and picked up the cake knife.

"Do you want more of the sweet layers or the less sweet ones?"

Mia murmured, "Whichever you cut for me... I like it all."

"Awww~"

The teasing from the crowd was immediate.

Helen covered her mouth, laughing.

"Look at these two."

Ethan cut her a slice himself.

"You like grapes, right? I saved this piece for you."

As he said it, he glanced briefly in my direction.

I turned away.

And walked back to the conference room without looking back.

I was sorting through documents when Mia pushed open the door, humming to herself.

She saw me.

Her smile vanished instantly.

"Vivian."

I didn't respond.

I closed the folder and stood up to leave.

"Vivian, wait!"

She rushed over and grabbed my arm.

"I never expected things to go this far!"

"I was put in an impossible position. I couldn't say no!"

"I'll give the ring back right now!"

She began tugging at the ring with real effort.

But the band was clearly bigger than her finger.

She tried several times.

It wouldn't come off.

"Stop pretending."

I said flatly. "Keep it."

"Vivian!"

She grabbed me again.

"I'm serious, I didn't mean for any of this. Just give me a second, I can get it off!"

"What's going on in here?"

Helen pushed open the door.

She took one look at the two of us, Mia holding my arm, me pulling away, and her brow furrowed immediately.

"You must be the one who's always been difficult with Mia. Miss Hayes, is it?"

I blinked.

That was how Helen saw me?

I looked at Mia.

She quickly averted her gaze.

Now I understood who had said what.

"I've heard about you, Vivian."

Helen's tone was cold.

"You run a tight ship. All your subordinates are afraid to step out of line."

"Tell me, do you think this company belongs to you? Or do you already see yourself as the lady of this house?"

My breath caught.

Mia had only just met Helen for the first time today.

So where had she heard all of this?

Unless...

I clenched my fist.

No.

Had it really been Ethan?

The door opened again.

Ethan appeared in the doorway.

"What's going on?"

Helen looked at her son.

"The people in your company need some serious managing."

"She was trying to take the ring I gave Mia."

Ethan looked at me.

I gritted my teeth. "I was not."

At that moment, Mia finally worked the ring off her finger.

She grabbed my wrist and slid it onto my hand.

"Vivian, please don't be upset. I'm giving it back to you."

Helen gasped.

"Mia, what are you doing! You can't just give that to someone else!"

Mia's eyes went pink at the corners.

"But... Vivian has loved Ethan for so long."

"That gives her the right to take things from you? She's been walking all over you this whole time, and you're going to let her have this too?"

Helen pulled Mia firmly to her side.

"Don't worry. This time, Ethan and I have your back."

"But... I'm just an intern. How could I possibly wear a ring like that..."

"Who says you can't?"

My wrist was seized.

Ethan took the ring off my hand effortlessly and held it out to Mia.

"I say you can. So you can."