Chapter 18
Caden’s lips twisted into a sly grin.
His eyes were like deep pools, drawing someone in.
He asked casually, ‘Is he blaming you for what went down at the banquet?”
Harper glanced at her phone and replied coolly, “That’s none of your concern.”
Her response was blunt and distant.
Like Alex, she always kept work and personal stuff separate. She never mixed personal topics with business partners, sticking strictly to work matters.
Caden knew how Harper operated and shrugged it off.
“Alright, never mind. So, what’s next on the agenda?”
Just then, the new site manager Harper had promoted showed up.
He respectfully reported to Harper and Caden.
“Mr. Elikin, Ms. Orsini, I’ve informed everyone to get back to work immediately.”
Harper gave a slight nod.
Caden pulled out a pack of cigarettes, lit one up, and took a drag.
“Scaring one person can keep everyone else in line. Nice job, Ms. Orsini!”
Harper replied, “Mr. Elikin, you should know that getting things done means using the right people. With the right team, everything runs smoothly and efficiently. It’s all about keeping the project on track.”
Caden blew out a puff of smoke, watching it swirl away.
“Yeah, I get it.”
Suddenly, his deep eyes locked onto hers.
“Seems like you understand the importance of having the right people. Being with the right person makes everything easier; otherwise, it’s a struggle.
His words had a hidden meaning. If Harper teamed up with him, they’d be invincible.
But with Alex, she’d only get hurt and miss out on bigger opportunities.
Harper got his implication but ignored it. Instead, she turned to the site manager and started to deliver the tasks.
She handled everything flawlessly.
After a while, she nodded and said, “Alright, let’s go with this plan. I’ll check in a month.”
The site manager quickly agreed.
After wrapping things up at the site, Harper and Caden went their separate ways and headed back to the office.
She figured Alex might still be hung up on the issue he brought up earlier. If he suspected something, he’d definitely want answers.
But Alex wasn’t in the office, and Emily was also MIA. She had no clue where they were,
Harper didn’t let it bother her and got back to work.
For her, there were no weekends or vacations. Work always came first.
So, Harper worked for four days straight, expecting Alex to confront her, but he was nowhere to be found.
As the chief secretary, she’d never seen anything like this.
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Chapter 18
She always managed Alex’s schedule. She knew even the smallest details, like his meals and walks, let alone his disappearing for four days.
On the day of the company meeting, Alex still didn’t show up. He just notified the senior management group chat that the meeting was canceled.
Harper was puzzled when she saw the message.
Where did Alex go? He wasn’t even pushing for the divorce anymore.
Just then, Travis hurried over with a cup of coffee.
“Travis, Harper called out.
Travis was the chief secretary of the secretarial department. Together, they were known as the two aces of the Lavien Group.
People often said Alex was the brains behind Lavien Group, while Travis and Harper were the sharpest tools in the shed. With them, the company ran like a well–oiled machine. The three of them were a dream team.
“What’s up, Harper?” Travis stopped and took another sip of his coffee.
“Do you know where Mr. Lavien went?”
Travis looked at her with a smirk. “Why are you asking me? Aren’t you his assistant?”
He had a point. Harper was Alex’s chief assistant, and she should know his schedule inside out.
Harper pursed her lips and gave a wry smile. “Mr. Lavien has a new secretary now.”
Travis sighed, understanding the situation. He opened his mouth to say something but thought better of it and walked away.
Harper’s desk was stacked with documents waiting for Alex’s review and signature.
She looked at the pile, picked up her phone, and was about to text Alex to ask when he’d be back.
Just then, a Twitter notification from Emily popped up.
Harper’s heart skipped a beat, and she opened Twitter.
[With you in love, with you by the sea. Our love is like this boundless ocean, deep and vast, endless and eternal.]
Below was a photo of a man and a woman sitting hand in hand on the beach, their backs to the camera. The setting sun created a romantic and warm atmosphere.
There was no doubt the woman was Emily. And the man’s back? Harper knew it was Alex.
So they went on vacation.
Harper suddenly felt a pang of sadness.
With so much work piling up, he ditched it all to go on vacation with Emily.
Alex, the ultimate workaholic, rarely took time off. Now, to be with Emily, he was even neglecting his work.
Even a workaholic could change for love.
And she, married to Alex for five years, had never gone on a vacation together.
Did he really favor Emily that much?
Harper felt a weight sink through her as she gave a faint grin. At the island resort, Alex was showing two important clients around, highlighting the resort’s perks.
Emily trailed behind, snapping a few selfies here and there.
This time, because of the project, Alex brought her along, but how could she miss such a golden opportunity?
Of course, she had to flaunt it on social media.
Meanwhile, Harper had just left the company building when she spotted a fiery red Porsche sports car parked at the entrance.
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Chapter 18
Caden was sitting in the car, grinning at her. “Ms. Orsini, let me take you for a spin!”
The sports car was as flashy as he was.
Harper wasn’t in the mood and said coolly, “No thanks, I have things to do.”
Caden jumped out of the car and gently pushed her into the seat. “Come on. Work can wait. You need a break.”
The door opened, and Harper found herself in the passenger seat.
“You better buckle up. I drive fast, he joked.
Harper didn’t say a word or look at him, just quietly fastened her seatbelt.
Caden had seen Emily’s post too, which was why he wanted to take Harper for a ride.
He figured she must be feeling down, even if she always seemed calm and collected.
Once Harper was settled, Caden started the car.
The red Porsche roared to life.
As they were about to leave, someone hiding behind a billboard snapped a few photos of them.
Soon, these photos were sent to Emily’s phone with a message: [Emily, that bitch Harper went out with another man.
