Chapter 4

Soon after, there was a knock at the door, and I received an email.

Opening it, I found a wedding invitation with a deep red background and gold embossed patterns.

At the same time, my phone showed a message from Lucas Ashford.

He was an investor I'd met through an elder's introduction. He was steady and reliable in his dealings. Three days ago, when I set the wedding date, I reached an agreement with him to get married that same evening.

"Yolanda, did you receive the invitation? This is the design you selected. Does the sample meet your expectations?"

I was slightly taken aback, not expecting him to be so efficient and thorough. This sense of reliability was something I had never received from Fudge.

I came back to my senses and sent Lucas a positive confirmation.

Looking down again at the date on the invitation, there were still three days. That was enough time.

The next morning, I went to the company.

I wanted to wrap up my project.

As soon as I walked into the office area, scattered discussions drifted from nearby.

"Did you see Secretary Shen's post yesterday? Mr. Harrington personally made her brown sugar water."

"The whole company's been talking about it, and Mr. Harrington hasn't clarified anything. Obviously, he's acknowledging it."

"I think Secretary Shen and Mr. Harrington make a great couple. They look perfect together."

I paused slightly. Back when Fudge said office romances weren't appropriate, we concealed our relationship. Now he didn't care anymore?

Several colleagues saw me, and the discussions stopped abruptly. Their expressions turned panicked and awkward.

Before Sharon appeared, when they knew the company was co-founded by Fudge and me after college graduation, they used to ship us together.

I understood and said reassuringly:

"Don't be nervous. They really are well-matched."

Just as I finished speaking, a furious voice came from behind me.

"Yolanda!"

Fudge approached with an icy aura, striding up to me with a dark expression, his gaze sweeping over the surrounding colleagues.

Everyone immediately lowered their heads, not daring to make another sound.

"Come with me."

He turned and walked into the office first. I followed him in.

After closing the door, Fudge turned around and looked at me silently for a moment.

"What did you mean by liking Sharon's post yesterday? And what did you mean by blocking me?"

I leaned against the door, my expression indifferent.

"The like was genuine well-wishes. I blocked you because we've already broken up. There's no need to keep private contact information."

Fudge's anger intensified.

"Well-wishes? Do you know your like made Sharon feel guilty all night? She kept apologizing to me, saying she caused you to misunderstand."

I found it absurd and couldn't help laughing.

"Fudge, if she really felt guilty, she should apologize to me."

"But you and I are already over. Whatever happens between you and Sharon has nothing to do with me."

"Whether she feels guilty or not isn't something I need to consider."

Fudge stared at me, practically grinding his teeth.

"Fine. Yolanda, you've got guts. I'd like to see how long you can keep this up."

With that, he raised his hand and told me to get out.

Less than ten minutes after returning to my workstation, the company's internal group chat posted the latest personnel change announcement.

My position as project director had been revoked. Sharon was directly taking over the core project I'd worked on for half a year that was about to launch.

And I had been transferred to the logistics department, responsible for trivial administrative tasks.

Looking at the words on screen, my heart still uncontrollably ached for a moment.

Actually, I'd already planned to resign. I just wanted to see my final project through before leaving, since it carried all the heart and soul of my career so far.

I thought that even if our relationship had fallen apart, the bond from building the company together would remain. But now it seemed that was just my wishful thinking.

Still, this was fine. At least it would allow me to cut ties sooner.

I opened my computer and had just finished writing my resignation letter when I received a message from Lucas's assistant.

"Miss Yolanda, Mr. Ashford says the wedding dress has been custom-made to your measurements. You can go to the shop after work to try it on. Contact me anytime if there are any issues."

After work, I left the company and found the wedding dress shop according to the address.

A clerk greeted me warmly: "Are you Miss Yolanda? Mr. Ashford has already informed us. Your wedding dress is in the fitting room."

The satin material was simple and clean, making my figure look elegant and poised.

Standing before the full-length mirror, looking at myself in the wedding dress, my thoughts churned uncontrollably.

Fudge once said that when the company stabilized, he would order the most premium wedding dress in the city and give me a wedding everyone would envy.

I believed him. So I waited year after year, from hopeful anticipation to complete disillusionment.

My nose suddenly stung, and tears still fell.

I wasn't sad for Fudge. I was sad for the version of myself who foolishly gave seven years of genuine devotion.

Just then, the respectful voice of a clerk came from outside the shop door.

"Mr. Harrington, you're here."