"Shame?" She repeated the words as her hands hovered over the porcelain cup, the heat from the steam hitting her skin, but the coldness in Sarah's whisper was sharper.
She gave a calm smile as she leaned back into the sofa.
"What's your definition of shame, Miss?"
She drew the 'miss' long enough for Sarah to furrow her brows.
Anderson's attention turned to them, and his eyes narrowed. He didn't step in. Not because he didn't want to. But because he believed Rebecca could handle herself.
Sarah, on the other hand, was taken aback due to the lack of reaction from Rebecca. In normal cases, she was meant to be thrashing the office or throwing a tantrum.
But this woman—she was calm... too calm that it gave her the feeling that Rebecca was always in control.
"Why are you still clinging to Mr Vance?" She forced out through gritted teeth, her fingers digging into her palms. "You've done nothing but disgrace him and you think you have the nerve to sit in his office?"
She paused, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "You're delusional."
Rebecca laughed once.
"Delusional?" She pointed to herself. "Your boss invited me over, not me." She shrugged and picked up the coffee. Taking a sip, her brows creased as she set it down.
"That wasn't prepared for you!" Sarah yelled, the veins on her forehead popping out. "And... and there's no way Mr Vance would let you this vile woman into his office."
Rebecca turned to Anderson with her brows raised. "I've earned quite the name for myself in your company. How interesting." She crossed one leg over the other, her eyes darkening.
She hated being associated with the 'old' her. But looking at things, it was inevitable.
"Sarah," Anderson called out in his deep voice.
With a trembling body, she turned to him. "Mr Vance, how could you forget what she did the last time she was here? She made you lose millions in dollars."
Rebecca's ears perked up as her eyes darted between them. She played with her fingers as she replayed Sarah's words internally. Millions in dollars?
Anderson's grip on the document tightened. "You've insulted my wife, Sarah." He started, his expression turning serious. "Whatever happens between us doesn't concern you, an outsider."
Sarah took a step back in disbelief, almost stumbling on her feet. Tears gathered in her eyes, and she bit her lips to stop them from dropping.
"Do you consider me an outsider?" She asked softly. She refused to believe it. She has been with Anderson for four years. She loved him these years, and was devoted to him.
And now... he was telling her that she was an... outsider.
Those words cut deeper than when she accidentally cut herself with a paper blade.
Anderson looked at the secretary who had spent four years with him with no flash of emotion in his eyes. "Yes."
Sarah laughed.
Rebecca looked on, feeling pity for the girl. She had seen the devotion she thought was clearly hidden. Sarah was in love with her husband.
But Anderson's words were brutal, breaking the girl's heart.
"Apologize to my wife." Anderson ordered calmly, not minding the tears which threatened to fall from her eyes.
Sarah stared at Anderson who had resumed going through the files. The hurt was palpable in her eyes.
She slowly turned to Rebecca who gave her a look of pity.
That look caused her to tremble instantly. Her body flushed with anger, but she took a deep breath and said insincerely. "I'm sorry, Mrs Vance. I hope you are magnanimous to forgive me."
Rebecca waved her hands. "It's fine. As long as you can learn from your mistakes."
Sarah's palms balled into fists. Rebecca was clearly mocking her.
With trembling shoulders, she walked out of the office.
"She's quite pitiful." Rebecca murmured after she left, and Anderson turned to her.
"Why do you say that?" He asked, his face forming a frown.
"She clearly likes you. But you're dense enough to notice it."
"What does it have to do with me if she likes me?" Anderson shrugged, clearly not interested in who or who didn't like him.
Rebecca shook her head. The worst thing that could happen to a woman was falling in love with someone who was either married or in a serious relationship.
"About what she said," Rebecca calmly steered the topic. "Did I really make you lose millions in dollars?"
Anderson stopped in his actions, his eyes flashing with a complex emotion while Rebecca waited for his answer.
"I'll have someone bring you your favourite pastries." He said, and picked up his phone.
Rebecca's gaze remained on him. He was not eager to answer the question. And that could only mean one thing.
She did make him lose money.
Her head lowered as her eyes flashed. Her fingers curled against her dress.
"So, it is true." She murmured, more to herself than him.
Anderson didn't respond.
Instead, silence reigned in the huge office, so much that even if a pin dropped to the floor, it'd be heard.
The atmosphere was thick with tension.
Rebecca let out a quiet breath, then lifted her head. The softness in her eyes didn't disappear, but something steadier settled beneath it.
"Then, I'll repay it." Her voice was filled with a strange determination, one which startled Anderson.
His hand paused over the phone.
"I don't remember doing it," she continued, her voice calm, "but since I was the one who did it, then I'll be the one to fix it."
He finally looked at her... intensely.
There was no arrogance in her voice. No scheming look. Just a quiet certainty that felt unfamiliar.
This version of Rebecca who was comoposed and grounded felt dangerously unfamiliar.
"You?" He asked, a faint scoff escaping. "Do you even know how much it was?"
Rebecca's lips curved slightly as she shook her head. "No."
She then met his gaze, unflinching. "But I'll start by not causing any more losses. I think that's a great start."
A second passed.
Then, softer, she added:
"And maybe... you can teach me how to make up for it."