Missy's eyes widened in disbelief when the audit team announced that all accusations against her had been resolved.
Not just resolved.
She had been completely cleared.
A heavy silence settled over the room. No one spoke. A few exchanged glances, others stood frozen, still holding documents they no longer read.
"How is that possible, Mr. Reynold?" Richard asked, his brows drawn together.
Reynold adjusted his glasses.
"The investigation has been completed," he said carefully. "Headquarters has verified everything. The client was never fictitious—only unregistered due to privacy concerns, which is why an intermediary was used."
"So… I'm really free from all accusations?" Missy asked quietly. "Just like that?"
Reynold nodded.
"We sincerely apologize. All charges will be withdrawn, including the termination decision."
"That's impossible…" Olivia muttered. "Then what about the funds? The transfer?"
She paused, catching herself.
"I mean—"
"Misclassification in the system logs," Reynold said. "It has been confirmed. The funds were always there. And yes, it was only a minor system mistake."
"Misclassification?" Olivia's voice sharpened. "That was a large amount of money!"
"I already told you—I never—" Missy shot her a glare.
"Please," Reynold cut in. "Our client has clarified everything. In fact… he wishes to apologize to Miss Hart personally."
A knock interrupted the tension.
Soft. Measured.
The door opened.
Missy's breath caught.
Raven stepped in calmly, as if the room already belonged to him.
"Mr. Raven…?"
Raven stepped inside, calm and unhurried, another man following behind him.
Without a word, everyone stood.
"Welcome, Mr. Raven Ashcroft," Reynold greeted quickly, extending his hand.
"Mr. Reynold."
The handshake was brief.
"This is our finance division," Reynold added, gesturing towards Richard.
"I'm Richard, division manager."
"Thomas, supervisor manager."
"Marcus, team supervisor."
"Olivia, senior staff."
"I'm Ethan—"
Raven lifted a hand.
Silence fell instantly.
"Mr. Reynold," he said, voice low. "I don't have much time."
Reynold nodded quickly.
"Yes, sir. You're here regarding Miss Mellisa Hart."
Raven's gaze shifted—landing on Missy.
"She was terminated. Correct?"
Reynold gave an awkward laugh.
"About that—we've decided to reconsider—"
"Proceed with termination."
The words were calm.
But final.
Missy frowned.
"If that is not possible," Raven continued, "then she will submit her resignation."
"Mr. Raven, what—"
"You haven't forgotten our agreement, have you, Hart?"
Missy froze.
"Y… yes."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"She is no longer an employee under Eldermere Fine Asset Management. She answers to me now."
Silence.
Missy blinked.
"But sir... for decisions regarding our employees, we must wait for headquarters to decide and..."
Reynold blinked in confusion.
Raven said nothing.
"Headquarters?" he repeated when Reynold tried again. "Isn't that decision hers to make?"
His gaze returned to Missy.
"Hart... do you still wish to work here, or come with me?"
Missy looked around the room.
The past few days—the pressure, the ridicule, the fear—
Enough.
"I'll go with you," she said finally.
A faint smirk.
Ethan narrowed his eyes, watching Missy and her interaction with the man he considered overly dominant.
"You can't just decide this alone, Missy. This matter is already resolved and—"
"And you are?" Raven turn to look at Ethan, causing him to stop.
"I—I mean sir, Missy was previously involved in a case concerning a large sum of money. I mean, it must take time to..."
Raven cleared his throat softly.
"A large sum of money. Hmm, how large?"
He glanced at the man behind him—his lawyer.
"Around $17,000, sir" the man answered politely.
"Interesting… how something so small could create such chaos."
His gaze swept the room meaningfully.
"You must have suffered… for something that should never have mattered."
Missy blinked.
"I'm sorry, Hart. I should have prevented this. It must have been very hard for you."
His hand rested lightly on her shoulder.
Warm.
Steady.
Missy's eyes blurred, heat stinging as his words felt as though they were embracing her, reminding her of everything she had gone through.
And not a single person had sympathized with her... except this man.
"It's... it's not your fault," she whispered.
Her throat tight, barely holding back her tears.
"Still… I'm the cause."
Olivia clicked her tongue under her breath, eyes narrowing.
"Mr. Reynold," Raven continued, withdrawing his hand, "coordinate anything further with my assistant, also my lawyer."
He gestured.
"This is Henry."
Then, to Missy—
"My other assistant… is you."
A brief pause.
"From now on, all matters regarding exhibitions and auctions go through you first."
"Auction? Exhibition?" Ethan frowned. "Since when did Missy become your assistant? When did you even meet her?"
Raven looked at him.
"Mr. Ethan… perhaps you haven't been informed."
"I will entrust this office with several of my assets. Including exhibitions and private auctions."
A pause.
"And as for when I met Miss Hart…"
His gaze held.
"Why are you so interested?"
Ethan flushed slightly.
"Missy wouldn't— I mean—"
"Hm." Raven tilted his head slightly. "You seem attentive."
A beat.
"If I didn't know better… I might assume you were her lover."
"That's not possible," Missy said immediately.
Ethan stiffened.
"Let's go," Raven said. "I need you, Hart."
"Home? She still has responsibilities—"
"Must I repeat myself?"
Raven turned slightly.
A pause.
"I decide what she does."
Then—
"Hart. Come."
His eyes flicked over her.
"You look tired. Pale. Was last night… too much?"
Missy's eyes widened.
"Enough," she whispered, glancing around. "It's because... I... I was organizing his things. Packing."
"And why would you do that?" Ethan pressed.
Missy looked at him.
"Because I survived. Because I'm still here."
A beat.
"Still standing. Isn't that enough?"
No answer.
"Where is your office?" Ethan asked again.
Missy frowned slightly.
"An antique shop not far from here, near the harbor area."
She glanced at Raven, seeking validation.
"Yes. The place you slept at last night is just one of them."
Missy's face flushed instantly.
"What? You stayed there? That quickly, in yesterday's situation?" Richard asked.
"Yes," Missy answered quickly, her tone slightly firm. "Yes, I stayed there. Working overtime and sleeping at the office isn't strange, is it?"
"Why? Did you think I would just sit still and accept the company's decision to throw me away? I was just trying to survive."
Her emotions slipped out slightly as she looked at Richard.
The memories—being cornered, accused, terrorized—made her clench her fists.
"I simply chose the best offer when my dedication and loyalty to this company were no longer valued. And don't you dare judge me, Richard. Don't."
Raven smirked faintly.
"Fierce," he murmured.
"Henry, take over," Raven signaled.
"Let's go, Hart," he said, guiding Missy out of the meeting room, leaving everyone behind in confusion, curiosity… and irritation.
Outside, near the elevator—
Missy exhaled.
"That was childish of me, wasn't it?"
"Wait," she caught his sleeve.
"How did you even show up here? Why didn't you say anything earlier?"
"No time. You were already late."
Then, quieter—
"Umm, and about me being your employee?"
"Hm, I told you—you are my worker. Since last night, when... you asked to live."
Her breath hitched.
She swallowed.
"So... I belong to you now?" she whispered.
"No, Hart," his voice softened. "But you are under my responsibility."
"What do I have to do?"
"A lot."
She hesitated.
"I'm not… a living corpse, am I?" she asked softly, wet her lip nervously.
A low sound escaped him.
He stepped closer.
"No…"
A pause.
"I can hear your heartbeat…"
His voice dropped.
"…very clearly."
From a distance—
"See?" Olivia muttered. "That's not just work."
Her lips curled.
"Overtime? Please. I know what that means. Hypocritical girl... she's not as innocent as she looks."
Ethan clenched his jaw.
"Missy isn't like that."
But even he… wasn't sure anymore.
***