Betrayal Leads to Redemption

The following day, as Meadow Lewis entered the office, she immediately caught snippets of her colleagues' hushed conversations.

"Did you check Instagram? Kameron and Zara just announced they're engaged!"

"I almost thought he tagged the wrong person. Wasn't Meadow his girlfriend? When did that change?"

"She’s so self-reliant; maybe Kameron never felt needed. Maybe he lost interest ages ago."

"True, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. If Zara batted her eyelashes, Kameron would probably hand over his heart on a silver platter!"

"Poor Meadow, after all those years of building something together, and now she's just discarded."

Even outsiders had a clearer view than Kameron, who scarcely considered Meadow's feelings.

As Meadow was lost in thought, someone jostled her. It was Zara Ford, dressed in a sleek, modern Victorian-style outfit, with a sickly sweet smile plastered on her face.

"Meadow, I'm marrying Kameron at the end of this month. Here’s the invitation."

"Thanks for taking care of him all these years. You absolutely have to come to see our happiness!"

Meadow glanced down at the invitation, staring at it for a long moment before accepting it with a tight voice, "Well, congratulations to you both."

The embossed names on the invitation card seemed to pierce her eyes.

Sensing this, Zara arched an eyebrow and leaned in, speaking softly so only Meadow could hear.

"Kameron is mine now. It’s time for you to give up."

"He’s just been using you to hone his skills so he could be better at pleasing me once we’re married."

"You didn’t really think he’d choose you, did you?"

Zara's smug smile oozed superiority, leaving little doubt that any hint of vulnerability was just a ploy.

Meadow's grip tightened on her coffee cup, her face gradually losing color.

"Don’t worry, I’m not interested in him anymore."

With that, she turned to walk away, but Zara, a malicious glint in her eyes, yanked the cup from Meadow’s hand and spilled it all over herself, leaving Meadow in stunned disbelief.

The scalding liquid soaked Zara’s white blouse, making it semi-transparent.

"Ouch, it's burning!"

Zara bit her lip, hastily covering herself.

At the commotion, Kameron hurried over, quickly wrapping his jacket around Zara before fixing Meadow with a cold glare.

"What’s going on?"

Stunned, Meadow tried to explain, "She did it herself..."

"Meadow!" Zara interrupted, tears welling in her eyes, "I came to give you a wedding invitation, and even if you’re upset, you shouldn’t humiliate me in front of everyone!"

"As a fellow woman, how could you compromise my dignity..."

Kameron’s face hardened as he scolded, "Meadow, this company isn’t your personal playground!"

"What gives you the right to bully newcomers just because you’ve been here longer? The company doesn’t need someone so overbearing. Pack your things and leave!"

Accusing gazes pierced her as though she were guilty. Yesterday’s warmth felt like a distant memory. Her fingers dug into her palm before she managed a single word, "Fine."

Kameron was keen to get Zara’s burns assessed, and Zara feigned reluctance, "Why not let Meadow take me? She can help with the ointment."

Kameron agreed, "Alright, consider it your apology to her."

In silence, Meadow and Zara entered the elevator. Once alone, Zara dropped the act, "See? Kameron has always cared about me!"

"You’re just an ugly duckling without support or a job, only good enough to be my errand girl!"

Seeing Meadow’s silent demeanor, Zara, displeased, shoved her, "Cat got your tongue?"

Suddenly, the elevator rattled ominously. It began to shake violently!

Gripped by claustrophobia, Meadow’s mind went blank. She forced herself to reach for the emergency button but was pushed aside by Zara.

"Move over, let me handle it!"

"Hello, I'm trapped in the elevator. Yes, just me alone..."

Time dragged until Kameron arrived with the rescue team to pry open the elevator doors. They stood on a platform several feet above, like saviors.

Startled to see two people trapped, one of the rescuers muttered, "Strange, why are there two?"

"Mr. Campbell, our equipment is limited. We can only rescue one person at a time. Who should we save first?"

Before the question was fully asked, Kameron interrupted urgently.

"Zara!"

Clenching his teeth, he answered without hesitation, "Get Zara out first!"