Chapter 4

Ethan POV

Hayes Corporation headquarters, CEO's office.

I was signing documents, the pen scratching across paper with subtle sounds.

My personal assistant Emily carefully reported, "Sir, the bank just sent notification that Victoria's credit card was declined when paying medical fees."

My pen paused, my lips curving into a smile with no warmth.

"Freeze all accounts and supplementary cards under her name."

I didn't look up, my voice devoid of emotion. "Including the car I gave her access to. Remotely lock everything."

"Understood."

"Penniless," I closed the folder and tossed it aside on the desk, "I want to see what she can live on in New York. Once she's suffered enough, she'll naturally come back and submit."

The next morning at seven, Upper East Side penthouse.

I habitually reached for the cufflinks on the nightstand.

Came up empty.

I frowned, instinctively blurting out, "Victoria."

No response.

The bedroom held only the low hum of the central air conditioning. Only then did I remember that woman had left yesterday.

A nameless irritation surged up. I grabbed a tie from the walk-in closet at random and went downstairs.

On the long dining table sat an elaborate breakfast spread.

I picked up the coffee cup beside me and took a sip.

Sickeningly sweet, nothing like what I wanted.

"Who prepared this coffee?" I set the cup back on the saucer heavily, producing a sharp clink.

The housekeeper hurried over from the kitchen direction. "Sir, this is takeout Mia ordered..."

Before, all of this was handled personally by Victoria. From the origin and roast of the coffee beans to the water temperature and brown sugar ratio-only she knew my preferences.

"Make it again."

I ordered coldly. Did she deliberately mess everything up before leaving? Thinking she could force me to compromise with this childish method?

Ridiculous.

"Ethan, what's wrong?"

Mia descended the spiral staircase in a light pink silk loungewear set, floating down like a butterfly.

Seeing the tie I hadn't finished knotting, her eyes lit up and she approached attentively.

"Let me help? I've seen Victoria do it before. Can't be that hard."

I suppressed my discomfort, not immediately pushing her away.

Mia's fingers fumbled clumsily with the silk fabric.

I drew in a sharp breath.

Her carefully manicured nail grazed the skin on my neck, leaving an obvious red mark.

The Hermès tie also had a pulled thread from her nail.

I instinctively stepped back half a step, my expression darkening.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"

Mia's eyes immediately reddened, tears appearing on cue. "I just wanted to help... it's all my fault for being so clumsy..."

If it were Victoria, she would never make such a mistake.

Looking at that ruined tie, the anger in my chest was barely containable. But I still patiently raised my thumb to wipe the tears from her face, though my tone had completely cooled. "It's fine. Not your fault."

Getting into the black Maybach waiting at the door, I immediately pulled off the tie Mia had touched and handed it to the driver in the front seat.

"Throw it away."

Indeed, some habits and details could only be handled perfectly by that personal assistant who had been with me for three years.