Chapter 4

Joanna's POV

But Ethan didn't scold her. Instead, he looked at me with displeasure.

"You know Sienna is still an intern. New people need proper guidance. If she doesn't understand, surely you do?"

"Even without Sienna today, there might be other newcomers making mistakes in the future. As their supervisor, training them properly is your responsibility."

"Let's end this here. It's just a document. Print it again."

He gently comforted Sienna, his tone carrying a hint of indulgence.

"Were you hurt? Be more careful next time. If you really can't handle something, just have Joanna do it. She's used to these trivial tasks anyway. Don't push yourself."

"But I really want to learn from Joanna."

Sienna's voice was soft, and she carefully glanced at me.

"Her work doesn't require any technical skill. What's there to learn?"

After comforting Sienna, he led her away without giving me another glance.

My desk was a mess, and there were a few red spots on the back of my hand from where the scalding coffee had splashed.

It didn't hurt much-not compared to how much my heart hurt.

A chill surged through me.

I remembered during those five years of chasing after him, he once said he didn't like delicate, clingy girls.

So I left the Brooks family, gave up my identity as the Brooks family heiress, and became a capable secretary by his side.

But now, his every word and action defended Sienna. For her sake, he didn't hesitate to belittle me completely.

I closed my eyes and loosened my clenched fists.

I was leaving soon. I didn't want any complications.

Before leaving work, I delivered the newly printed document to Ethan's office.

Sienna was also sitting in the office. The two were laughing and chatting intimately.

Seeing me enter, Ethan's smile faded. Sienna sat watching me approach as if waiting for me to report on my work.

I placed the document in front of Ethan.

"Legal has double-checked the terms. If there are no issues, this document can be sent out tomorrow."

"Mm."

Ethan took it, glanced through it casually, then signed.

Perhaps feeling he'd been too harsh with me this afternoon, his expression softened as he looked at me.

"Victor's having a birthday party tonight. Come with me."

Victor was one of his good friends. Every year on his birthday, Ethan would bring me along.

I felt a bit dazed, unsure what he meant.

A complex emotion stirred in my heart. I looked at Sienna beside him and suddenly asked.

"Will Miss Cunningham be going too?"

Ethan paused.

"Sienna? Of course she's going."

I laughed self-deprecatingly. So I was being presumptuous again.

"Then I won't go. Miss Cunningham is new. You should bring her to more events like this, Mr. Sinclair."

Ethan's face darkened. He was somewhat angry, not understanding what mood I was in.

"Joanna, what are you implying? Or can you really not stand to see Sienna doing well?"

Sienna tried to persuade him.

"Ethan, maybe Joanna doesn't mean it that way."

I bluntly shot back at her without courtesy.

"Sorry, that's exactly what I mean."

Sienna's expression changed.

Ethan grew angrier, his tone turning harsh.

"Joanna, I never realized you were so intolerant! What exactly did Sienna do to offend you? Just because she accidentally spilled coffee earlier? It's such a small matter-must you blow it out of proportion?"

"You didn't suffer any real loss. Can't you just let it go? You're the Brooks family heiress after all. Don't make yourself a laughingstock."

I didn't even have the desire to argue. With someone whose bias had reached this extreme, what was there to argue about?

I said flatly.

"Yes, I'm blowing things out of proportion. I'm petty and can't tolerate others. So I won't be going to tonight's birthday party. I hope you both have fun."

"You're not going? You go every year. If you don't go this year, what will people think? That I'm mistreating you."

My phone rang. I glanced at it casually. It was a message from my father.

He told me the meeting time and place were set, and sent me the contact information for the man I'd be meeting. He asked me to add him first so we could get acquainted.

I held up my phone and waved it, smiling.

"Sorry, my family arranged for me to meet another quality man. I'm afraid I don't have time to attend the birthday party. Please convey my apologies to Victor, Mr. Sinclair."