Chapter 4
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Doris took advantage of her day off to wander around town. She wanted to buy a few things to comfort her parents, who were still lamenting the loss of their “perfect son–in–law, Ryan
Besides, she was moving out of their home soon. She saw this as her last gesture of kindness before she left.
After grabbing a quick dinner on her own, she didn’t make it back until almost eight in the evening.
As soon as she walked through the door, Doris handed a beautifully wrapped dress to her mother, Peyton. “Try it on,” Doris urged gently.
Peyton’s eyes lit up as she unfolded the dress, her delight unmistakable. “It’s beautiful. This must’ve cost a fortune.
“Mom, as long as you like it, the price doesn’t matter.” Doris said, coaxing her mother with a warm smile.
Just then, her father, Jimmy, returned from his evening walk. The moment he spotted Doris, his expression darkened.
Peyton, oblivious to the tension, picked up a box of brand–new leather shoes from the sofa and showed them to Jimmy. Jimmy, look. Doris got me this lovely dress and it cost her more than 700 dollars. And she bought these shoes for you. They were over 1400 dollars”
Jimmy sank into the sofa, placing his water cup down with an audible thud. His gaze bore into Doris. “You bought these?”
Doris nodded. “Yes. I just got paid, and I noticed you’ve been wearing the same pair of leather shoes for years, so I thought
Before she could finish, Jimmy snatched the shoes from Peyton’s hands and flung them onto the floor. “What’s the point of all this? Do you think this is what I want? What I want is for you to marry Mr. Watson.”
“Well, you can keep dreaming” Doris bit her lip hard, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Without waiting for another word, she spun on her heels and retreated to her room, slamming the door behind her. Jimmy’s angry ranting was muffled by the walls, but his frustration was clear.
Peyton crouched to pick up the scattered shoes, brushing off the scuffed leather with care. “Why are you so angry? At least Doris meant well”
Jimmy’s frown deepened, his voice thick with disdain. “Are you seriously comparing a pair of shoes and a dress to Mr. Warson? Do you even remember how our son managed to buy his place! Where do you think that money came from?”
I… Peyton faltered, her face clouded with worry. “Tll try talking to Doris again. Maybe I can convince her to make up with
Mr. Watson.”
The next morning, Doris left for work earlier than usual.
For the past five years, she had worked in the Food and Beverage Department at the five–star Hampstone Hotel.
It was at this very hotel that her ex–boyfriend, Ryan, had hosted his engagement party with Leia Martin, the heiress of a family long tied to Ryan’s own. That night had turned Doris into the butt of countless jokes among the staff.
But no matter what had happened, Doris knew one thing for sure–losing a boyfriend was one thing, but losing her job wasn’t an option.
Taking a deep breath, she squared her shoulders and stepped into the grand hotel lobby with her head held high. She thought. As long as I don’t feel embarrassed, then it’s not me who’s awkward–it’s them
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Sure enough, the moment she entered, her coworkers began throwing her sneaky glances Some whispered in hushed tones, but when she caught their eye, they quickly dispersed, pretending to be busy with their tasks.
Doris ignored them, maintaining her usual calm demeanor. She greeted those she passed with her professional, practiced smile, as though nothing in the world could rattle her
In the employer locker room, she changed into her uniform, smoothing out the crisp fabric with care before heading to her station. Once there, she threw herself into her work, meticulously crafting an array of exgamite pastries.
At eleven sharp, Lola carved out a moment from her packed schedule to visit Doris.
Lola and Doris weren’t just colleagues–they were best friends who shared everything Lola, though born into privilege. rarely talked about her wealthy family. Instead, she carved her own path.
After majoring in hotel management at university, Lola joined Hampstone Hotel. It was partly out of passion and partly because she was determined not to rely on her family’s fortune
With her exceptional skills and sharp instincts, she had climbed the ladder quickly, becoming the front desk manager at a remarkably young age
Lola was a striking beauty. Her sharp, vivid features and alluring figure were impossible to ignore Admirers flocked to her in droves, and they all seemed to have fat wallets..
But Lola wasn’t the type to be swept off her feet by money. For her, attraction was about chemistry–and a handsome face never hurt
“I skipped breakfast this morning. Now I’m starving.” Lola murmured, popping a delicate butter cookie into her mouth.
“I’ll bring you breakfast from now on.” Doris offered earnestly, her tone warm and sincere.
“There’s no need.” Lola replied lightly, but her sharp eyes didn’t miss the dark circles shadowing Doris’s eyes. A flicker of concern crossed Lola’s face as she was worried Doris was still upset about the breakup. “Did you not sleep well last night=”
Tm fine,” Doris said, brushing off the question a little too quickly. Then, as if to stop further probing, she added. “It has nothing to do with him.”
But Lola wasn’t so easily deterred. The mention of him brought the Watson family’s appalling behavior to the forefront of her mind.
A storm cloud of anger passed over Lola’s radiant face. “I still can’t believe Ryan turned out to be such trash. The way he courted you back then–so over the top–and now he’s engaged to someone else?
“And he had the audacity to do it in our hotel, making you the subject of gossip. If I’d been there, I swear I would’ve knocked him into next week. Honestly, it makes my blood boil”
Doris couldn’t help but laugh softly at the sight of Lola swinging her fists at imaginary targets.
“You’re laughing? After everything he’s done to you?” Lola stared at her incredulously, before reaching out to press her palm against Doris’s forehead. “You’re not feverish, are you? Because this reaction isn’t normal.”
Smiling faintly, Doris carefully placed a plump red cherry on top of a small, perfectly square cake. “I was heartbroken at first, of course. But if I think about it, I’m grateful. At least I saw his true colors before it was too late.
“I cut my losses, and that’s that. He doesn’t deserve my tears. I’ll live my life, focus on my work, and without him? I’ll thrive.
Admiration glimmered in Lola’s eyes, and she burst into applause. “Bravo. That’s the spirit. Let’s crush it in our careers and let the losers rot where they belong”
As if the universe couldn’t resist proving a point, Doris’s phone buzzed at that exact moment. The caller ID displayed a
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Chapter 1
name that made Lola’s lips cund in disgust. It was Ryan.
Lola groaned in disgust as she said, “Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me. How does he even have the nerve to call you?”
This hesitated, her hand hovering over the screen for a few seconds before she answered. Her tone was cool and detached. “Mr. Watson, we’re done. There’s no reason for you to contact me anymore. Please don’t call me again
Without wanting for a reply, she ended the call and promptly blocked his number.
Lada beamed with approval, giving her a prond thumbs–up.
But Ryan wasn’t finished. Moments later, a WhatsApp notification appeared. Doris opened the voice message, and the smug. overly composed tone in his voice was unmistakable. “Doris, let’s have lunch. You can pick the place–Maximilien Restaurant or Hampstone Hotel. It’s up to you. I’ll follow your lead.”
Lola’s face twisted in a mix of disbelief and revulsion. “Ugh. Could he be any slimier? He’s acting like he’s respecting your wishes, but it’s just thinly veiled manipulation. What a textbook dirtbag. Doris, tell me you’re not actually considering meeting him”
Doris carried out a tray of freshly baked tarts, the golden crusts glistening with a buttery sheen. Her voice was steady as said, “I’m going. Yesterday’s incident has already caused enough trouble. Personal matters should be handled privately. 1 won’t let them affect my work.
she
“I’ll go with you,” Lola declared without hesitation, her tone firm. She wasn’t about to let Doris face Ryan alone, knowing how manipulative he could be
Using their brief lunch break, the two crossed the street to the Maximilien Restaurant, a chic establishment known for its understated elegance and impeccable service.
Lola chose to wait in the outdoor seating area, her sharp eyes scanning every passerby like a hawk guarding its nest. Meanwhile, Doris stepped inside, her expression cool and unreadable.
Ryan was already seated at a polished corner table, placing his order. He looked up from the menu as Doris approached, his lips curving into a smile that was maddeningly calm, as though nothing had happened.
“Sit,” he said, gesturing with a casual flick of his hand. “I ordered your favorites–chicken parmesan and shrimp scampi
Doris slid into the plush leather booth across from him, her movements deliberate, her posture straight as a board. She didn’t spare him so much as a glance. “Say what you need to say,” she said curtly, her voice clipped and to the point.
Ryan, unfazed by her frosty demeanor, picked up his lemonade and took a measured sip. A faint crease appeared between his brows as if he were gathering his thoughts
“My family has a business project with the Martin family,” he began. “Originally, it was supposed to be my big brother, Jake. who got engaged to her. But you know Jake–he’s been in a coma for six months now because of the car accident”
He paused, letting out a weary sigh. “My parents insisted she’s the ideal choice. My mom threatened me and said she’d end her life if I didn’t go through with the engagement.
“I didn’t have a choice, Doris. I’m just as much a victim in this as you are. The person I love is still you.”
His voice carried a practiced sincerity, and his eyes–those warm, soulful eyes that once made her heart skip a beat–seemed to plead with her.
For a fleeting moment, it felt like the Ryan she had loved was sitting across from her, unchanged and full of promise. But Doris had been burned too deeply by his betrayal to fall for the same old tricks.
A faint smile curved her lips, but it wasn’t one of fondness. It was cold, laced with disdain. “Mr. Watson,” she said, each syllable biting. “your love is worthless to me?
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Chapter 4
Ryan leaned forward, his tone softening as if coaxing her back to the days when their love was untarnished. He explained, “Doris, I know words won’t mean much to you now. But you have to believe me. I never stopped caring about you.
“We’ve been together for three years. Can you really just walk away from that? Please, hear me out. Once Jake wakes up, or once this project is over, I’ll end the engagement. I’ll come back to you.
“We’ll get married, Doris. We’ll build a beautiful life together–a family, two adorable kids, the works. All I’m asking for is a little time. Just wait for me. Please
