Chapter 6
703words
As his car approached the office building, he habitually glanced toward the boutique café at the corner—a place they'd often visited together.
His blood froze instantly.
Through the café's floor-to-ceiling windows, he clearly saw Lawrence and Sylvia seated at a window table, facing each other!
Sylvia had removed her coat, wearing only her navy dress. Afternoon sunlight bathed her, softening her typically cool demeanor.
She tilted her head slightly, listening to Lawrence with a relaxed, almost joyful expression. He spoke animatedly, composed and confident, his gaze fixed intently on her face.
Steam rose from their coffee cups, creating a harmonious scene that stabbed at Garrett's eyes.
Garrett slammed the brakes, his car screeching to a halt at the curb. He stared at the window, chest heaving, consumed by rage and bitter jealousy.
Why were they together? Drinking coffee? What could possibly make her look so damn happy?
Of course—Lawrence had used the summit to formally recruit her! And Sylvia hadn't refused—she was actually enjoying his company!
Garrett could no longer contain himself. He grabbed his phone and dialed Sylvia directly.
Through the window, he watched Sylvia check her phone, frown slightly, then make an apologetic gesture to Lawrence before walking to a corner to take the call.
"Hello, Mr. Grayson?" Her voice carried unmistakable annoyance at the interruption.
"Where are you?" Garrett's voice was ice-cold.
Sylvia paused briefly before answering frankly: "I'm out. Personal business."
"What business? Who are you with?" Garrett demanded, his tone unmistakably accusatory.
Silence hung for several seconds. When she spoke again, her voice matched his chill: "Mr. Grayson, it's my lunch break. My personal schedule doesn't require your approval."
"Sylvia!" Garrett hissed through clenched teeth. "Don't forget your position! You're still a Grayson employee! Is meeting privately with our competitor's CEO appropriate?"
"You're overthinking, Mr. Grayson." Sylvia's voice remained calm but carried unmistakable mockery. "I'm simply having coffee with a friend. As for my position—in 30 days, it won't be relevant. If you find this inappropriate, you're welcome to terminate me immediately. I have no objections."
"You…" Garrett was speechless. Termination? How could he possibly fire her now? Wouldn't that play directly into Lawrence's hands, practically gift-wrapping her for his rival?
"If there's no urgent work matter, I'll hang up now. My friend is waiting." Without another word, she ended the call.
Garrett listened to the dial tone while watching Sylvia return to her seat. She gave Lawrence a helpless smile as if saying "just an unimportant interruption," and he responded with an understanding nod.
Garrett slammed his fist against the steering wheel! Humiliation and helplessness engulfed him. When had he, Garrett Grayson, become so pathetic? He couldn't even question his own wife—secret or not—about who she was meeting?
He glared at the cozy scene, his expression darkening. He couldn't let this stand!
He took a deep breath, grabbed his phone, and called Vivian. She answered instantly.
"Mr. Grayson?"
"Immediately! Right now!" Garrett's voice barely contained his fury. "Go to the tech department and find all last year's proposals on smart cities and data security—especially those handled by Sylvia! And tell the project team I want full reports on all ongoing projects in thirty minutes! Make sure Sylvia attends! Tell her it's an emergency!"
He'd use work to drag her back! Let's see what's more important—coffee with a competitor or her actual responsibilities!
"But Mr. Grayson… Secretary Sterling is on her lunch break…"
"No buts! That's an order!" Garrett growled, hanging up.
Through the window, he watched Sylvia's phone ring again. She answered, listened briefly, her frown deepening. She said something to Lawrence—apparently apologizing—before grabbing her coat and bag and hurrying out.
Lawrence stood, seemingly offering to accompany her, but she waved him off, exited quickly, hailed a taxi, and headed toward the office.
Garrett watched her hurried departure but felt no victory—only bitter embarrassment.
He'd forcibly interrupted their meeting with this childish tactic. But what had it really accomplished?
It only proved his fear. Afraid of losing her, he could only use his "boss" authority to desperately cling to the fraying thread between them.
He'd lost—completely, utterly, humiliatingly lost.
