Brandon felt relieved. He turned to look outside, lost in thought. It was a sunny day, almost as if the universe was aligning for them.
After a while, Brandon looked at Charis and spoke frankly. “It’s good to see you improving. Garrett has decided to take over his family business, and The Larson Group needs you. Are you ready to return?”
The Larson Group truly needed her.
After a moment of silence, Charis sketched a smile. “Of course.”
Three days later, Charis returned to the office and resumed her work.
Her sudden return surprised everyone at The Larson Group. They had witnessed how broken she was when she left, and her presence made them uncomfortable. Were they in for revenge? But their worries never materialized.
Charis treated everyone with kindness, just like the old Charis. Moreover, she proved to be an efficient worker, still the capable woman she had always been.
Brandon noticed her exceptional performance and started assigning her important projects.
When Natalie heard that Charis had recovered and returned to work, she felt shocked and helpless. It seemed that Charis would remain a formidable opponent. However, Natalie didn’t want to waste her energy seeking revenge. She was content with her career and her life with Brandon.
Since their work schedules often differed, Natalie would prepare lunch and bring it to Brandon’s office whenever she visited Seacisco. They cherished their lunch hours together, spending quality time like a young couple in love.
One day, as Natalie was bringing lunch to Brandon’s office as usual, she encountered Charis in the hallway. Ignoring her, Natalie walked past her towards the elevator.
Suddenly, Charis called out from behind, “Please, wait a minute.”
Natalie frowned and turned to look at her. “Yes?”
“There’s something I wanted to talk to you about. Can you accompany me to my office?”
Natalie’s intuition warned her that something was amiss.
“Nope, what do you want from me?” Natalie confronted Charis, fully aware of the countless ways Charis had hurt her in the past. She refused to believe that Charis thought she could get away with more.
“Don’t worry. We’re in your husband’s territory. I wouldn’t harm you,” Charis replied, a sly smile playing on his lips. His mask barely concealed his face this time.
Anxiety gnawed at Natalie as she bit her lower lip.
She pondered whether Charis truly had no ill intentions or if he simply didn’t want to cause a scene here. Besides, she had just completed rehab and didn’t want any trouble.
Natalie reluctantly followed Charis into his office but remained cautious, standing by the door instead of entering.
Charis calmly sat down and poured a cup of tea. “I didn’t tell you? Relax, I won’t harm you.”
Though hesitant, Natalie cautiously approached the seat across from her.
Taking a seat near the French window, Charis spoke bluntly, devoid of any expression. “Let’s cut to the chase. What the hell do you want?”
Given their history as sworn enemies, there was no need for pleasantries.
“You were right, okay? I’m a hideous monster now. I don’t deserve to be with Brandon. I’ve made up my mind to surrender. I hope you and Brandon live happily ever after,” Charis declared, pushing the cup of tea toward Natalie.
Natalie doubted Charis’s sudden change of heart. The woman who had relentlessly pursued her husband for so long couldn’t possibly wish them well.
Charis scoffed, her eyes gleaming with darkness.
Without warning, Charis lunged forward, forcefully pushing Natalie out of her chair and through the open French window.
Surprised, Natalie cried out. She had expected Charis to resort to her usual cunning and deceit.
Charis wouldn’t have acted so recklessly if she truly wanted to harm Natalie. There must be a carefully crafted plan behind this.
Unprepared for the sudden attack, Natalie fell to the ground, spraining her ankle. She struggled to stand but failed.
In one swift motion, Charis raised her leg and kicked the window with great force.
The entire window frame detached, plummeting to the ground below.
Charis dragged Natalie, who was still struggling, toward the gaping hole. Gripping her hair tightly, Charis forced her to look down.
“Bitch! Open your eyes. If you fall from here, I promise you’ll die in the worst way possible!”
They stood at a height of more than twenty floors, the wind whistling in Natalie’s ears. The people and cars below appeared as tiny models.
In that moment, Natalie’s legs weakened.
The height was insurmountable. Falling from this distance meant certain death, leaving no chance to see another day.
