Chapter 64

Scarlett's POV

To avoid George's burning gaze, I turned my body away.

I decided to keep my distance from him going forward, regardless of how much I had liked him in the past.

My aloofness visibly angered him; I could feel his breathing grow rapid, his body leaning slightly forward, emanating an aura of agitation.

"Don't play these games with me, Scarlett!" he suddenly grabbed my wrist with such force that I couldn't help but wince.

"Three years! For three years you've led me to believe there was something possible between us, and now you're marrying that old man?"

I forcefully freed myself from his grip, my eyes turning cold. "Let go of me, George. This is my choice."

He let out a cold laugh. "Choice? Or coercion? The Smith family debts? How much money do you need? I could—"

"Enough! You think this is all about money?" I cut him off, my voice piercingly sharp, anger and humiliation churning inside me.

"Does Alexander know?" he suddenly changed the subject, lowering his voice.

"The uncle's wife and nephew... if Richard discovers your relationship, what do you think he'll do?" George abruptly turned, blocking my path, his tone carrying an unmistakable threat.

My heart sank, understanding that George was now openly threatening me, but I wasn't someone easily intimidated.

"What about a secretary and her boss then? That should be easier to handle, shouldn't it? The Harber Group heir maintaining an inappropriate relationship with his secretary... what would your grandfather and Sandra think? How would the board react?"

I flashed a slight smile, watching his face instantly pale, his fists clenched so tight his knuckles turned white.

"You wouldn't dare. It wouldn't benefit you either."

"Do you know why Richard was willing to break protocol and withdraw from the partnership with the Harber Group?"

I said languidly, my fingers slowly tracing across the countertop behind him, finally settling on his slightly wrinkled sleeve, gently tugging at it.

"That's right, just as you suspect. That time in Suncrest City, Richard already suspected our relationship. I didn't deny it. Naturally, he believed there was something inappropriate between us."

George's voice trembled slightly, "You're insane! You destroyed a multi-billion dollar partnership just to—"

I coldly interrupted him, "To protect myself, George. I'll do whatever necessary. Don't try to threaten me."

"So, are you still going to block my way?" I had said enough. Unless George truly wanted to destroy the Harber family with his own hands, he had no choice.

I knew clearly that whether it was my relationship with Alexander or with George... regardless of truth or falsehood, once such relationships became known to Richard, the outcome would certainly be disastrous.

I trusted George understood equally well what scandals between two families and corporations would mean.

After a moment of silence, George finally stepped aside. As I brushed past him, I felt his gaze burning into my back like a physical pain.

Breathing an internal sigh of relief, I had just opened the break room door when I saw Lillian standing outside, holding an exquisite cake box.

Her eyes were filled with surprise; clearly, she hadn't expected to see me coming out of the break room with George.

"Miss Smith, why were you with George..." Her words trailed off, but the suspicion was evident enough.

I quickly adjusted my expression, raising a perfect smile, though alarm bells were already ringing in my mind.

Perhaps yesterday at the Harber home, she had already begun to suspect something between George and me.

I couldn't help but laugh coldly inside: one about to marry Silverlight City's most powerful man, Richard, and the other already engaged to a political family heiress—rumors of these two together would absolutely be a bomb in high society!

I caught a flash of contempt quickly crossing Lillian's delicate face.

"Miss Smith, I brought some cake I made myself. Could you try it and give me some advice?" She skillfully changed the subject, her voice so sweet it almost made one forget that fleeting hostility from moments ago.

I wanted to refuse, but with so many people around, I didn't know how to decline without appearing too deliberate.

I sighed inwardly. Fine, as Richard's fiancée and Alexander's fiancée respectively, we would soon become family and inevitably have to deal with each other. Better not to be too cold toward her.

"All right," I reluctantly agreed, forcing a shallow smile to my lips. But as we left the break room, I was surprised to find Alexander sitting at my desk.

I saw him holding my employee ID, his long fingers casually playing with it in a way reminiscent of a movie protagonist shuffling cards.

I sensed that nonchalant demeanor carrying absolute control, something only he could perfectly master.

"Alexander, what are you doing?" Lillian approached, seemingly noticing the neatly packed items at the side only now.

"Is Miss Smith resigning?" Her tone carried a hint of unnatural intimacy, as if she were announcing her relationship with Alexander to everyone.

"Yes," I nodded, noticing Alexander's gaze lingering on my face for a moment, his eyes unfathomable.

Lillian looked at me, then at Alexander's focused expression, her own expression slightly stiffening.

I saw her gaze sweeping back and forth between us, her initially confident smile gradually freezing.

"That might be the best choice. I worry Richard wouldn't like seeing you working so closely with my brother," she said softly, her fingers tightly gripping the edge of the cake box, knuckles turning white.

Alexander finally raised his head to glance at her, but that glance was so cold it was as if he were looking at an insignificant object, making Lillian's expression even more unpleasant.

She blinked, her expression returning to normal, and said to me in a concerned tone: "My brother is very focused on his career. I imagine he can be quite strict. Was it difficult working for him?"

"Not at all. George is an outstanding leader, and I've learned a great deal from him," I smiled in response, my voice elegant and restrained.

I sensed another meaning in her words. Was she implying an improper relationship between George and me, or questioning my work capabilities?

Either way, I detested it, but on the surface, she was showing concern for me, so I could only suppress the anger in my heart.

"George is an excellent boss, but Scarlett deserves better opportunities, doesn't she, Lillian?"

Alexander suddenly spoke, his voice deep and calm, yet causing the entire space to fall silent.

Lillian's smile completely vanished. She narrowed her eyes, her gaze lingering on me.