hapter 2
Turns out, I still couldn’t stay away from the Carter family.
Ethan’s younger brother, Micah Carter, ran the Port Valcrest branch down south.
I’d been mass–submitting resumes and didn’t even realize I’d applied for a secretarial role under him.
The interview process was smooth. Suspiciously smooth.
Somehow, I ended up as Micah’s executive assistant.
My job included managing his daily schedule, fetching coffee when needed, occasionally handling VIP guests when the chief assistant
Was out
Most days, I didn’t have to travel.
The work was varied but manageable.
The pay? Exceptionally good.
With the money Ethan had given me, I’d already bought my own place. Paired with this job, I could’ve lived a stable life.
But then Micah’s fiancée entered the picture—and that’s when things fell apart.
“Olivia? Olivia?
Micah tapped the desk with his knuckles.
“Come on, it doesn’t take that long to think, You’re hesitating–what, he’s not good enough for you?”
He was half–smiling, but his tone was laced with impatience.
I slid his schedule across the desk.
“You have a meeting from eleven to eleven–thirty. Lunch with Mr. Lee at noon bring. From two to four, a golf match with Mr. King, but he also invited you to go riding. You’ll need to choose one. At five, you’re giving
his wife just had a baby, so I prepared a gift for you clients a tour of the R&D center before dinner at Highridge Estate Menu’s set–classic seafood spread. It’s ten forty–three now. Mr. Lee mentioned a few execs want to debrief you ahead of the meeting. You can talk to them now.
1 paused for a beat, then added, “And about the blind date with your brother–don’t bother,‘
Micah leaned back in his chair, letting it spin a half–turn on his too,
וי
He stared at me for a while, thoughtful
“Hmm”
His smirk deepened. “You’re hiding something from me, aren’t you, Olivia?”
I replied calmly, “I’ve met your brother before
Saying we dated would be too much. No one lonew, not even friends or family. It didn’t really count as a relationship.
“Oh, met him?” he repeated, nodding
Then he suddenly stilled.
His eyes narrowed, breath caught. Voice low, certain.
“No, no. You were with him, weren’t you?”
I’d been on the receiving end of rich men’s condescension before.
But that word-“with“-still stung.
Chapter 2
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Chapter 2
Turns out, I still couldn’t stay away from the Carter family.
Ethan’s younger brother, Micah Carter, ran the Port Valcrest branch down south.
I’d been mass–submitting resumes and didn’t even realize I’d applied for a secretarial role under him
The interview process was smooth. Suspiciously smooth.
Somehow, I ended up as Micah’s executive assistant.
My job included managing his daily schedule, fetching coffee when needed, occasionally handling VIP guests when the chief assistant
was out.
Most days, I didn’t have to travel.
The work was varied but manageable.
The pay? Exceptionally good.
With the money Ethan had given me, I’d already bought my own place. Paired with this job, I could’ve lived a stable life.
But then Micah’s fiancée entered the picture–and that’s when things fell apart.
“Olivia? Olivia?”
Micah tapped the desk with his knuckles.
“Come on, it doesn’t take that long to think, You’re hesitating what, he’s not good enough for you?”
He was half–smiling, but his tone was laced with impatience.
Islid his schedule across the desk
“You have a meeting from eleven to cleven–thirty. Lunch with Mr. Lee at noon- bring. From two to four, a golf match with Mr. King, but he also invited you to go riding. You’ll need to choose one. At five, you’re giving his wife just had a baby, so I prepared a gift for you to clients a tour of the R&D center before dinner at Highridge Estate. Menu’s set classic seafood spread. It’s ten forty–three now. Mr. Lee mentioned a few execs want to debrief you ahead of the meeting. You can talk to them now.”
I paused for a beat, then added, “And about the blind date with your brother–don’t bother.”
Micah leaned back in his chair, letting it spin a half–turn on his toe.
He stared at me for a while, thoughtful.
Hmm.
His smirk deepened. “You’re hiding something from me, aren’t you, Olivia?”
I replied calmly, “I’ve met your brother before”
Saying we dated would be too much. No one knew, not even friends or family. It didn’t really count as a relationship.
“Oh, met him?” he repeated, nodding.
Then he suddenly stilled.
His eyes narrowed, breath caught. Volcelow, certain.
No, no. You were with him, weren’t you?”
I’d been on the receiving end of rich men’s condescension before.
But that word—“with“-still stung
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“Yes,” I said quietly.
He stood up at once,
beaming, and gestured for me to sit on the sofa. Poured me tea himself.
“Come on, you know who the kid’s mom is?”
“All of us brothers have asked, and none of us got a straight answer.
“He hates kids. If he kept this one, he must’ve really loved the woman.
“You were with him come on, spill. Who did he love the most?”
Who was it, really?
That girl he went shopping with?
Or just one of many passing through his life?
I pressed my lips together.
“No idea who he loved most. But I know for sure it wasn’t me ”
Micah
Micah burst out laughing.
“Oof. Bit of resentment there? That’s not like my brother. He’s not usually stingy.”
“Maybe just not with others. Back then, I was still stuck in a cheap rental.”
Micah blinked.
His jaw dropped.
“Wait–what? You lived where?”
I nodded.
“Rented place. He never lived with me, either.”
He looked scandalized. “Not even a dime for rent? That’s cold.
Micah dusted off his suit jacket, started pacing the room, glancing at me between steps.
“Gotta say, Olivia–you’re the sentimental type. With your looks? He could’ve at least put you up in a decent condo. So why didn’t you just walk away?”
He was sizing me up.
If this had been the old me, I’d have cursed him out without a second thought.
But now, I just kept my face calm and lowered my voice.
“I was young. I didn’t know any better.”
I added, half–joking, “Maybe you can add a little to my severance–for the emotional damage.”
A knock on the door cut the moment.
A staff member pecked in.
“Mr. Carter, the meeting’s about to start
Micah straightened his suit with a nod.
I hurried ahead to hold the door for him.
He grabbed a folder on his way out, brushing past me.
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“You’re off the layoff list,” he said. “Now get back to work
Chapter 2
