Chapter 4 It's Tainted

After six o'clock, employees began to leave work.

I was still in the office discussing Toby's equity division with the lawyer when the door suddenly opened.

Lola peeked in, looking timid. "Mo... Miss Wells, it's time to leave. Why don't you come back with us?"

I closed my laptop and spoke bluntly, "Lola, this is the second time you've entered my office without knocking. You need to learn some manners."

Lola sniffled, and tears fell instantly. "I'm sorry..."

Caden stepped out of the shadows, his tone filled with helplessness. "Lola is still young. Why are you picking on her?"

"Young?" I snorted with derision. "Do you know what position she got? Is that a position for a youngster?"

"I've heard," Caden paused, "I can teach her. She's young and can learn."

I felt a pang in my chest, my hand aching from my tight grip.

Caden seemed to forget that I was only a year older than Lola.

Seeing my silence, he came over and gently took my hand, his voice soft. "Don't be mad. I've booked a table at your favorite restaurant. They have your favorite dish, and the dessert is your favorite chestnut cake."

I stood still, staring at Lola. "What about her? Is she coming too?"

Caden was taken aback, clearly having forgotten about it.

Lola lowered her gaze, her voice trembling. "Don't worry about me. I can go home myself."

Her eyes were filled with tears, yet she looked firm. "Only those who are not loved become the third party. I refuse to be one. Even if I marry Caden, I won't interfere with your love."

Caden closed his eyes, suppressing the surge of guilt and compassion in his gaze.

My voice was cold, "Are you done? If so, get out."

Lola faltered, forcing a bitter smile. "Alright, I'm leaving now."

The office was left with just Caden and me.

He withdrew his gaze from the hallway and cautiously approached, gently encircling me. "I'm sorry for last night. I swear nothing happened. I don't even know when she changed into those pajamas..."

I pushed him away, expressionless. "Aren't we going to eat? I'm hungry."

Hearing this, his eyes brightened, just like the countless times I forgave him after being upset.

The restaurant was the same as before, but it seemed they had changed the chef. Everything tasted bland.

"I couldn't find you last night, Lola cried and said that if something happened to you, she would not live either..."

I put down my fork and wiped my mouth.

He stopped talking and asked, "Are you full? You've only been eating for five minutes."

"Yes, but in those five minutes, you mentioned Lola fifteen times."

He was stunned.

I smiled, "This meal should be over. We should be over too."

As I walked out of the restaurant, tears fell like raindrops, blurring my vision.

Inside, Caden remained seated, maintaining his previous posture, with tears as overwhelming as mine.

I couldn't understand him.

Back home, I heard Lola's voice coming from my bedroom. "Is there really no chance to reconcile?"

I stopped my hand from opening the door.

"Did Molly misunderstand something? Should I explain to her again?"

"You don't have to. She already wants to break up with me." Caden's voice sounded weary on the phone.

Lola's voice was choked with sobs. "It's all my fault. I didn't expect that Molly would give up your relationship just because of an engagement party. You two were so in love..."

Caden seemed to take a swig of alcohol, coughing violently before speaking hoarsely, "Maybe she never loved me that much."

Lola gasped, "How could that be? You love her so much."

Caden let out a bitter laugh, "I was even willing to have a child with her. I didn't expect that she never intended to stay with me. She's no longer the heir of the Haynes family. I can promise her the status of a mistress and give her and her children a good life. This is the best I can do. What else does she want? Back then, my father also..."

The sound paused, followed by the gulping of alcohol.

Lola's voice grew softer, full of tenderness. "Caden, don't be angry. Molly must love you too much to bear sharing you."

She sighed gently. "But if I were her, I wouldn't make it so difficult for you."

Caden was stunned, "Lola..."

"I'm really envious of Molly. At our last engagement party, those rich ladies from prominent families were polite on the surface but secretly mocked me as unsophisticated, unfit for the occasion..."

He was surprised, "Why didn't you mention it last time?"

Lola gave a bitter smile, "You were in a hurry to find Molly. I... it was just trivial."

Caden sounded angry, "You are now my fiancée, who will be my wife. With me here, no one will dare look down on you again."

Outside the door, I listened quietly, each breath feeling like needles piercing my insides.

Yet not a single tear fell, and my eyes felt dry.

From now on, I would never shed a tear for Caden again.

I pushed the door open forcefully, and Lola acted very scared, her voice trembling. "Molly, I came to get something I left this morning."

Tears still hung at the corners of her eyes, but there was unmistakable pride in her smile as she shook the lace panties in her hand.

"Molly, don't harm her!" Caden's urgent shout came from the phone.

I didn't respond.

I just quietly took what was necessary for me.

Before leaving, I turned back, staring at the phone in her hand that hadn't been hung up. "Lola, you can have this room. It's tainted now."