Celebration Turned Betrayal

Hearing that, my deputy finally stopped crying and managed a smile.

I just shook my head at her.

…

To celebrate my joining his company—and for bringing in a thirty-million-dollar contract—Michael Harris hosted a welcome banquet for me at the most luxurious hotel in New York City.

But the moment we stepped into the lobby, we ran right into Daniel Walker and Emily Johnson!

Daniel looked worn out, but Emily’s face was flushed, the kind of glow that left little doubt about what they had been up to.

The instant they saw me and Michael together, their eyes lit up with sudden energy—as if I were the one having an affair.

“So this is what you call ‘working late,’ huh? Coming to a hotel?” I fired the first shot.

“You’re the one cheating, and now you want to turn around and accuse the CEO? Compared to you, we’re practically saints!” Emily shot back arrogantly.

“All these years, and you’re still in touch with him?!” Daniel roared, grabbing Michael by the collar.

“Hey, let go! Sophia just joined our company. I’m throwing her a welcome dinner. What’s wrong with that?” Michael shoved him off.

“You’re at a hotel! Just admit you’re sneaking around—why bother denying it?” Emily’s voice trembled with outrage. Having an affair herself, she naturally assumed others were just as filthy.

“Are you blind?” I pointed at the signboard beside us.

It read in bold letters: “Warmly Welcome Sophia Carter to Apex Corporation.”

Daniel glanced at it, but instead of calming down, his anger flared even hotter.

“You’ve got to be kidding me! Where’s your professional integrity? You just got fired, and you go straight to my competitor’s company?!”

“I’m still your fiancée, aren’t I? Did you even consider my feelings before doing this?”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh, so you still remember you’re my fiancé? During work hours you sneak into hotels with your assistant, and you think you’ve treated me with respect?”

“You’re the one who upset Emily so badly. I just brought her out to eat something nice, to clean up your mess!” Daniel was still trying to twist the story.

“Ha! More like you wanted to keep a backup for yourself,” I sneered.

“See? Ms. Carter is always so difficult. Even her subordinates give me a hard time—I can’t do my job at all,” Emily added, looking pitiful.

“Sophia Carter, apologize to Emily right now! Did I ever spread nasty rumors about you?” Daniel raised his hand, ready to strike me again.

But Michael was ready. He blocked the blow instantly.

“What the hell? Are you protecting someone else’s woman now? Which one of us is your fiancée? Do you always act like this?” Michael was speechless. Everyone here knew each other, and he clearly hadn’t expected Daniel to really hit me.

“Shut up, Michael Harris! Sophia, you’re nothing but a liar. Even if you brought me an extra million in dowry, I still wouldn’t marry you!”

Ever since Emily came into the corporation, Daniel had turned into a different man.

The clingy fiancé who once couldn’t leave me alone now used “overtime” as an excuse every other day, constantly sending me on business trips just to keep me away.

His concern dwindled, while rumors spread about him taking Emily everywhere. Today I saw the truth with my own eyes.

Deep down, I had known for a while: Daniel’s heart had left me long ago. It was only me who kept pouring love into this hollow engagement.

Ours was a family alliance. True feelings were scarce. Otherwise, I would have ended things with him much sooner.

Still, better late than never.

Taking a deep breath, I looked him in the eye and declared firmly:

“If you won’t marry me, then I won’t marry you either!”

“What did you just say?!” Daniel froze, completely stunned.