The Unveiled Rose

I took a deep breath and said, "I've already made myself clear, Jessica. Just because you enjoy being a mistress and seducing married men doesn't mean that's how everyone operates. Do you understand?" A mist of tears gathered in Jessica's eyes.

Seeing her like that reminded me of the time I had returned home after my miscarriage. It was her and her family who had hurt me. Yet, it almost seemed like everything was my fault because she was putting on a pitiful act. I inhaled deeply again.

In a sweet, and almost innocent voice, Jessica said, "Didn't everyone say you're kind and easy to talk to? Why are you so cruel to me? Could it be that your usual kindness is just a facade? Is it all an act, and that you're really just a shrew beneath it all?"

I didn't respond to her accusation. Instead, I said, "If I were really as malicious as you claim, you would have been ruined by now. Do you truly think I'm the problem here?"

Jessica stared at me, clearly stunned by my response. I added, "You came here to make amends, but it's too late for that. If you continue to invade my life, I'll have no choice but to expose everything you've done online."

Her tears fell freely now, but I wasn't moved. "Let the world see the kind of person you truly are."

Her voice quivered as she said, "I came to make peace with you. Why are you being so heartless?"

She had caused the loss of my child, and I had done nothing to her in return. Yet, she was now trying to turn the tables and accuse me.

I found it almost laughable. "If I were really as malicious as you say, you'd already be disgraced."

Jessica glared at me, but I didn't flinch. "My patience has its limits, Jessica."

Her gaze shifted between me and Zane.

Under her gaze, Zane pulled out his phone and called security. "Your department has been lax. You're letting anyone into the building. This woman just walked into my office. What if someone steals sensitive company documents? Who's responsible for that?" The security team quickly apologized.

Zane continued, "From now on, only employees or key partners are allowed to enter. No exceptions."

Jessica's heart burned with resentment. Zane was being too harsh.

She knew that if she stayed any longer, she would certainly be kicked out. After a brief hesitation, she decided to leave on her own.

...

After Jessica left, I lowered my head to continue working on the tasks from the morning.

The afternoon's task was to color the comic. I planned to work overtime today to finish processing all the images. Once I completed my tasks every day, I could finally rest.

Since Zane had other matters to attend to, he left the office and went straight to the conference room.

As Eric was about to leave after the meeting ended, Zane raised his hand to stop him. "Stay for a moment."

Eric was already by the door when Zane called him back. He turned around and walked back to stand before Zane. "Mr. Huxham, what can I do for you?"

Zane recounted the situation with Jessica without leaving anything out. "Recently, Steven has been wanting to break up with her. If that's the case, she should be focused on fixing her relationship with him. Why is she suddenly showing up to see Annalise?" The more Zane thought about it, the more suspicious he became. "And she's apologizing to Annalise as well, claiming that she realizes her mistakes."