Chapter 4

I turned around. Alexander and several of his friends had appeared at the store entrance, looking at me with leisurely arrogance.

I didn't give him a second glance, turning back to wait for the clerk to finish wrapping.

But those people had to come closer.

"Assistant Chloe's shopping? Isn't that a men's tie clip? Picking it out for Alex?"

"This simple style would definitely suit Alex. Assistant Chloe is so thoughtful!"

"Though after all this fuss, Alex is genuinely a bit angry. A little gift might not be enough to appease him..."

Amid all the chatter, Alexander snorted. "Who needs some trinket! But if you apologize properly, I can give you that opportunity."

His voice made me sick. I simply didn't look at him.

"I already resigned. My name is Chloe, not Assistant Chloe. And this isn't for Alexander. Can you stop making assumptions?"

After I spoke, the smirking faces slowly turned serious. Alexander's expression darkened too.

He stared at me for a long moment. "Still not done playing games? That's enough, Chloe. I don't have unlimited patience."

Then he glanced mockingly at the velvet jewelry box the clerk had just wrapped. "A men's tie clip. Who else could you be giving it to?"

I paid and accepted the item. "My date. Is that okay?"

Alexander narrowed his eyes. "Didn't you say you weren't going on dates?"

I picked up the gift and headed out. "I changed my mind."

His voice turned cold instantly. "Who?"

I paused, choosing to tell the truth. "William Carter."

At this name familiar to everyone in their circle, they all fell silent.

After a moment, quiet laughter resumed. Alexander's heavy voice came from behind. "Chloe. Finding a fake boyfriend to make me jealous is stupid. And if you're going to make someone up, at least make it believable."

I didn't care whether they believed me or not.

Without looking back, I left directly.

Because of this incident, I was slightly late for dinner.

When I arrived, William was folding a napkin into a flower.

Seeing me enter, he adjusted the shape with his hands and presented a napkin rose before me.

"Like it?"

I paused. "It's beautiful! So intricate. You're talented! Sorry, something came up and I'm late. Have you been waiting long?"

Hearing my apology, William set down the napkin rose. "It's fine."

After two or three seconds, he couldn't help adding, "My assistant told me you ran into... a friend earlier?"

I froze.

After openly chasing Alexander so obsessively for so long, William didn't even need to investigate to know how crazy I'd been about Alexander.

But during this time, neither of us had brought up that topic.

Mentioning it now, he must... mind, right?

I quickly distanced myself. "That person and I aren't friends at all."

William looked at me, his voice still tentative. "A former friend, then?"

I thought about it. "Not even that. More like a dark chapter in my past."

The intense emotions in William's eyes dissipated, returning to the familiar warmth I knew.

Seeing him smile, I took the opportunity to push the velvet box toward him. "I was only late because I was picking out a gift for you. Does it suit you?"

William's eyes suddenly blazed with astonishing light. "For me?"

I nodded. His face filled with unmistakable delight as he gently accepted the small box.

Opening it, he removed the platinum tie clip and examined it carefully between his fingers, starlight dancing in his eyes.

"Thank you, Chloe. I love it."

Realizing something seemed off, he looked up at me, asking cautiously, "May I call you that?"

I blinked. "Of course you can!"