The Storm Came Before You

Yara watched him walk away until he disappeared from sight. The tears she had held back for so long finally fell.

She forced herself to stand. She ignored the pain, went to get a broom and a mop, and started cleaning the broken cups and spilled coffee on the floor.

A few kind coworkers came over to help. Their eyes were full of sympathy when they looked at her.

“I clearly heard her say iced, no sugar. How can she turn it around like that? Yara, did you do something to upset her?”

“Does she even need a reason? I’ve heard so many people say she’s arrogant and bossy. The moment she’s in a bad mood, she takes it out on someone. Lots of people in our circle can’t stand her. But Mr. Quinn spoils her, so no one dares to offend her.”

“Sigh. I’ve never seen Mr. Quinn care about anyone this much. Yara, you should be more careful from now on. We’re just ordinary people. We can’t compare to someone like her. She’s a rich heiress, and she has Mr. Quinn’s backing. Even if we’re being treated unfairly, we’re the ones who have to swallow it.”

Yara knew they meant well.

But their words stirred up too many emotions inside her. She could not say a single word.

In the past, there had been an issue with a contract she handled. It was clearly the client’s mistake, but they shifted the blame onto her.

When they accused her and put her under pressure, Marcus firmly took her side. He argued with them and cleared her name.

Quiana had dropped a casual lie, and he did not check the facts. He did not give Yara a chance to explain. He placed all the blame on her.

Yara had always worked hard and handled countless problems for him. In the end, did he have so little trust in her?

Or did right and wrong simply not matter to him? Did he only care about keeping Quiana happy?

The thought made her chest tighten with pain. The bitterness was hard to bear.

It took her a long time to finish cleaning up. After that, she dragged her exhausted body home.

She had just finished washing up when Marcus called again.

“Bring everything for Quiana's period.”

She prepared everything as quickly as possible and took it to his villa.

She had only been away for two or three days, but the simple and elegant villa had completely changed.

The peach tree that Marcus’ father had planted years ago was gone. In its place stood a garden of tulips. The black-and-white furniture had been replaced with pink and pale yellow, colors Marcus used to dislike. The display cabinets were filled with jewelry, designer bags, and expensive gifts.

It was obviously Quiana’s doing.

Yara looked around in silence. She walked to the bedroom, where the light was still on, and knocked on the door.

Marcus opened the door after a moment. He took the items from her hands and then looked at her.

After she washed off the coffee, the wound on her face looked even more alarming. He froze for a second.

“Was it that serious? Did you go to the hospital?”

Yara did not speak. She shook her head.

He rubbed his temples. His tone softened.

“Quiana wasn’t feeling well. She didn’t mean to take it out on you. Don’t take it to heart. I’ll balance out the salary deduction with your year-end bonus. Go to the hospital later. If it’s serious, take a few days off. I’ll approve it. You don’t need to go through the usual process.”

“There’s no need. At the end of this month, I’ll…”

Yara wanted to tell him she was about to resign, but he did not let her finish. He handed her a card and interrupted her.

“Be sensible. I still need you to help me organize a welcome banquet for Quiana. Get some rest and recover.”

The words remained in her throat.

She hummed in agreement, took the card, and left the villa.

The door had barely shut when she heard Quiana’s sweet, clingy voice from inside.

“Marcus, is the herbal tea ready yet? I want you to rub my stomach.”

“I’m coming. Just lie still and don’t move.”

His voice was so gentle and soft, it felt like a stream. Yara gave a silent laugh. There was a hint of self-mockery in her eyes.

She suffered from bad cramps, too. She had fainted at work more than once and had been taken to the hospital by coworkers.

Marcus had been aware. He had approved her leave, but he never visited her. He never made her herbal tea or brought her anything.

Back then, she thought he had been too busy.

But after what happened with Quiana, she understood. It was never a matter of his being busy. He simply did not care about her.

After leaving the villa, Yara went to the hospital to have her wound treated and bandaged.

She rested at home for a few days. The assistant sent her the banquet proposal.

Every detail was strict. The choice of flowers, the types of desserts, and even the servers’ uniforms all had specific requirements.

She only had three days. She pulled herself together and got to work.

After days of nonstop effort, the banquet she organized began right at 7 p.m.

Quiana stepped into the hall in a custom gown as everyone watched.

The guests quickly surrounded her and praised her endlessly. She looked thrilled.

“After all these years, Ms. Xanthe is still as graceful and stunning as ever. Even your welcoming party is so grand. Mr. Quinn’s devotion to you clearly has not changed.”

“I remember back in school when someone confessed to Quiana. Mr. Quinn found out and forced him to transfer. He tore up every love letter she received. When people gossiped about her, he went to confront them and beat them badly enough to send them to the hospital.”

“Everyone knows Quiana is Mr. Quinn’s first love and the apple of his eye. Look at the jewelry she’s wearing tonight. It must be worth tens of millions. That gown is custom-made and one of a kind. Mr. Quinn has never spared any expense when it comes to making her happy.”