Chapter 4

Eleanor's POV

I practically raced to Tobias's office.

When I pushed open the door, Tobias was sitting in his oversized executive chair while Vivian stood behind him, intimately massaging his shoulders.

Both froze when they saw me burst in.

"Don't you know how to knock?"

Tobias frowned, his tone displeased.

I completely ignored Vivian's presence and strode to the desk, bracing my hands on its surface, my voice trembling with extreme panic.

"Tobias, I need Rion's latest targeted therapy drug. I know your lab has slots. I'm begging you. Give me one dose."

Tobias leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming the desk unhurriedly.

"Begging me?"

He paused.

"Eleanor, your attitude when asking for favors is a bit too perfunctory, don't you think?"

My jaw clenched tight.

"What do you want me to do? As long as you give me the drug, name your terms."

Tobias chuckled softly, his gaze sweeping over me.

"Tomorrow night is Vivian's welcome-home party. Everyone in our circle will be there. Vivian just got back and needs a capable assistant. Tomorrow night, you'll stay by her side, serving water and taking care of her. Do that, and I'll have the drug sent to the hospital immediately."

The office fell into deathly silence.

Vivian covered her mouth, looking shocked.

"Tobias, that won't do! Eleanor is so proud in investment banking circles. How can you make her do menial servant work? What will people think of her..."

"Proud? She'd better have the credentials for it."

Tobias looked at me coldly, his tone contemptuous.

"Eleanor, my patience is limited. Will you do it or not?"

I stared at Tobias, wishing I could carve a piece of flesh from his body.

Five years of feelings turned out to be not just a joke, but a knife he could stab me with at any time.

"Fine."

My hoarse voice echoed in the office.

"I'll do it."

For my father's life, I could trample any shred of dignity underfoot.

The next evening, at the Junlan Grand Hotel ballroom.

Perfume and silk, clinking glasses.

Vivian wore an expensive custom gown Tobias had specially ordered for her, surrounded like a proud princess in the center of attention.

And I, wearing the most inconspicuous black uniform, holding a tray like an actual server, stood quietly three steps behind Vivian.

"Oh my, isn't this Miss Hart? How come instead of closing hundred-million-dollar deals at the negotiating table today, you're carrying trays?"

Several women I'd previously dominated at negotiating tables deliberately raised their voices as they approached, mockery filling their eyes.

"What Miss Hart? She's just a dog Mr. Reed keeps on hand. Now that the real heiress is back, of course she has to show her true colors and do servant work."

Vicious taunts filled the air.

The malicious gossip around me was like a light breeze.

Vivian glanced back at me, a malicious smile curving her lips.

She turned around, deliberately pretending to lose her balance, her body tilting sideways. The glass of red wine in her hand spilled perfectly all over my uniform.

Dark red liquid ran down my neck. I looked utterly pathetic.

"Oh no, Eleanor, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to. These heels are too high, I lost my balance..."

Vivian cried out, quickly pulling out a handkerchief to wipe, but her exaggerated movements knocked against the marble table edge.

Crack.

The expensive designer bracelet on Vivian's wrist that Tobias had just given her today struck the marble edge and broke in two, falling to the floor.

"Ah! My bracelet!"

Vivian clutched her wrist as tears instantly fell. She pointed at me, looking completely wronged.

"Eleanor, I was just trying to help wipe your clothes. Why did you push me? I know you're jealous that Tobias gave me such an expensive gift, but you can't be so cruel..."

The surrounding crowd instantly erupted, everyone condemning me as vicious.

The commotion quickly drew Tobias over.

He pushed through the crowd and walked in. Seeing the broken pieces on the floor and Vivian's tear-streaked face, his expression instantly turned terrifyingly dark.

"What happened?"

He demanded sharply.

"Tobias, Eleanor... she pushed me..."

Vivian threw herself into Tobias's arms, crying so hard her whole body shook.

"That was the gift you gave me, and now it's broken..."

Tobias pulled Vivian protectively into his embrace, then turned to look at me, his eyes frighteningly cold.

"Eleanor, have you lost your mind?"

He stepped closer, lowering his voice to a volume only we could hear, saying viciously,

"I warned you. Don't touch her!"

I looked down at the broken pieces on the floor, then at Vivian playing the victim in Tobias's arms, and suddenly felt utterly exhausted.

"I didn't push her."

I said.

"Mr. Reed, if you don't believe me, check the security footage."

"Check the footage? This corner happens to be a blind spot. You calculated this pretty well, didn't you!"

Vivian's friend mocked from the side.

"Mr. Reed, a vicious woman like this should be thrown out!"

"Eleanor, apologize to Vivian immediately."

Tobias's eyes were ruthless and cold.

"I didn't do it. Why should I apologize?"

I held my head high, refusing to compromise.

"Why?"

Tobias laughed coldly, leaning close to my ear.

"Because your father's targeted therapy hasn't been delivered to the hospital yet. If you don't apologize, I'll have the drug destroyed right now."