pter 41
“Sprak “Gregory’s voice was cold and commanding. Yet, silence was the only response he received. He frowned and scooped “Anathea up effortlessly, carrying her to the couch.
Anathea slumped against it, completely drained, as it every last ounce of strength had been stripped from her. She didn’t even blink, her vacant eyes staring into nothingress
e to ignore. Beneath the slightly open collar of her She said nothing, but the evidence of what had just happened was impossible blouse, her pale skin was marred with countless red marks, a silent testament to Gregory’s aggressiveness.
However, the real damage came from the humiliation that shattered her spirit, not just the physical torture.
Gregory finally realized he might have gone too far. His voice was stiff as he offered a curt explanation. “The glass is and soundproof.”
one–way
In other words, while everything outside was visible from within the office, those outside couldn’t see or hear anything happening inside. He would never allow anyone to witness their intimate moment or to see Anathea in such a disheveled state. He’d only wanted to punish her and remind her of her position.
However, when he truly took in Anathea’s reaction, a strange, inexplicable feeling stirred in his chest. He brushed the thought aside and sat down beside her, reaching out to button up her blouse.
Yet before his fingers could even touch the fabric, Anathea flinched, refusing any contact with him.
The silence stretched on for nearly
ly halt a m
working.”
minute. Finally, Gregory relented. “Fine. I’ll let them go. I can also forgive you for
Anathea finally responded, raising her gaze to meet his. However, her eyes were clouded with caution and doubt, as if she feared he might go back on his word in an instant.
“Try looking at me like that again.” His voice carried a trace of displeasure.
He was Gregory Sinclair, a man of his word. He would never break. promise.
“Just keep your distance from any men in the studio. Otherwise, don’t expect me to be merciful.”
Anathea let out a quiet, mocking laugh in her heart. Gregory’s double standards, where he could act freely while restricting her, were almost laughably absurd.
Nonetheless, she chose to stay silent. She didn’t argue, because she couldn’t afford to. By now, she fully understood just how big the gap between them was.
Thankfully, in less than a month, she would be gone. Until then, all she had to do was endure.
Anathea fastened the buttons of her disheveled blouse, though the top two had been torn off by Gregory. It was clear evidence of just how rough he’d been.
Gregory cleared his throat lightly and turned his head away, avolding her gaze. His expression shifted back to the cold and distant indifference he usually wore.
Anathra had no desire to linger any longer. She stood up, her legs rembling slightly. She was determined to leave.
“Hold on,” Gregory said as he walked toward his desk, pulling open a drawer. Then, he retrieved a small, dark blue velvet box and handed it to Anathra.
the froze for a moment when she recognized it. It was the very bog that had once held her wedding ring. It was the same one she’d sold along with the ring She was puzzled, wondering whether Gregory had bought it back
Gregory flipped open the box, taking out the diamond ring. It was deed hers, the very one she’d sold. “Give me your hand ”
But Anathea didn’t obey. Her fingers curled slightly.
She found Gregory’s actions bewildering. After all, they were going to get divorced. And yet, his behavior was unpredictable, making it impossible for her to understand his true intentions.
For instance, at the moment, seeing that she refused to extend her hand, Gregory didn’t hesitate. He simply grabbed her slender wrist and forcefully slid the ring onto her finger.
The cool touch of the ring against her skin made Anathea freeze. A memory from their wedding day five years ago resurfaced in her mind–back then, she’d excitedly reached out for the matching ring to place on Gregory’s finger.
However, she’d failed to do so. Gregory had abruptly snapped the ring box shut and tossed it to Martin as if discarding something worthless.
Chapter 12
Anthea and Gregory had never exchanged the wedding rings that symbolized eternity. Perhaps, from the very beginning, their marriage had been doomed to fail. She’d been the only one unwilling to let go, stubbornly dragging it out for five long years.
But thankfully, she’d finally come to her senses. That was the only thought on her mind now. Her gaze rested on the ring, calm and Indifferent.
However, Gregory assumed she was scheming to sell the ring again. He warned coldly, “If you dare sell it for a bit of petty cash again, there will be consequences to bear.”
He couldn’t believe that she’d sold it for only eight million dollars.
Anathea remained silent. Truthfully, she had considered it. Selling the ring again would get her enough to cover Fiona’s surgery
expenses.
Unfortunately, before the thought could fully take root, Gregory had already crushed it. Besides, after experiencing his fury once, she wasn’t foolish enough to test him a second time.
up with the remaining three million.
She sighed inwardly. It seemed she would have to find another way to come up
Still, now that Gregory had agreed to let the Jacobson family and the studio go, she could start raising funds again. That thought alone sparked a faint glimmer of hope within her.
“If there’s nothing else, you can leave,” Gregory said without a second glance, settling back into his chair and flipping through the stack of documents.
Anathea took the hint. Without another word, she turned and walked toward the office door. But the moment she opened it, she was met with Martin rushing in. If she hadn’t moved aside, they would have collided.
Yet, Martin had no time to apologize. His urgency was palpable as he strode straight into the office. “Mr. Sinclair, bad news. Ms. Whitman has fallen and injured her leg.”
“What?” Gregory frowned and stood up immediately.
Anathea was just as startled. Before she could fully process what was happening, Gregory had already brushed past her, striding out of the office.
For the first time, the ever–indifferent Gregory wore an expression of genuine concern. It was because he’d just heard that Natalie had injured her leg.
Anathea smirked. She carefully adjusted her clothing, making sure nothing was out of place. The last thing she wanted was for anyone outside to cast suspicious glances, speculating about what had happened in Gregory’s office.
In fact, her worries were unnecessary. As she stepped out, she spotted Gregory rushing away with Natalie, who was pale, in hits
anns.
All eyes in the office had already shifted toward them.
“I heard that Ms. Whitman and Mr. Sinclair have quite a close relationship. Seeing how anxious he is now, that must be true,
“Of course! She was given a director–level position the moment she joined the company, and she always arrives and leaves with Mr. Sinclair. It’s jmpossible that nothing is going on between them”
“Not to mention, last time Mr. Sinclair went on a business trip, he only brought Ms. Whitman along. And that place? It’s a well known couples‘ vacation resort. He must’ve just been using it as an excuse to take her on a romantic getaway.”
“Ugh, I’m so jealous! Ms. Whitman is so lucky to have met a mane Mr. Sinclair, who’s rich, powerful, and insanely good- looking-
Without besitation, Anathea walked away calmly, uubothered by the envious whispers around her. However, the moment she stepped out of Sinclair Group, her phone buzzed.
Chapter 42
