Chapter 3

Jessica stormed over on her high heels, immediately pulling a tearful Caleb into her embrace.

Caleb buried himself in her, sobbing and hiccuping.

"I... I just saw Alex working so hard, so I offered him chocolate!"

"I know Alex doesn't like me since I became Jessica's assistant. Maybe I should just leave. Only if I leave you, Alex will be happy."

"Otherwise, every day will be hell for me!"

What a masterful liar!

Hearing his words, Jessica's heart ached even more, her eyes turning red.

"You're not going anywhere! As long as I'm here, Alex Miller won't dare bully you!"

Then, she gritted her teeth and snapped at me.

"I really spoiled you, turning you into a worthless bully!"

Worthless?

A bully?

Her face, distorted and venomous under the harsh office lights, looked utterly alien in that moment.

To make her branch manager's performance look good, so she could get promoted to corporate headquarters sooner.

I worked day and night, preparing proposals for her.

Several times, I worked overtime to the point of intense stomach cramps, a racing heart, dizzy spells, and even collapsing right at my computer!

Only to wake up the next day and continue working...

I secured countless important projects for her.

She'd forgotten all that. A few simple accusations from the man in her arms were enough for her to slander me.

The ridiculous accusations from the person I loved most made my whole body ache with anger.

An uncontrollable nausea rose in my stomach; I almost threw up.

That's right, in my previous life, she protected Caleb the same way.

When I told her Caleb gave me peanuts and begged her to take me to the hospital.

Caleb, as if deeply wronged, cried hysterically.

"But I saw Alex drinking a peanut smoothie just two days ago! Alex, what do you have against me? Why are you slandering me?"

This time, not only did Jessica accuse me of being jealous and dramatic.

But even Chloe, my childhood best friend, who came to pick Caleb up after work, witnessed the scene.

She then forcibly shoved handful after handful of peanuts into my mouth...

My eyes bulged as I suffocated.

Before I lost consciousness, I saw my fiancée and childhood friend, each linking arms with Caleb.

Jessica gazed at her little assistant with deep affection.

"Caleb, you've worked so hard working late. Let's get a luxury suite tonight to reward you."

Chloe turned back to me, sneering.

"Alex Miller, you deserve whatever comes next. Even if you die from this allergy, it'll be the price for bullying Caleb!"

My colleagues watched me with cold eyes; no one paid any attention to my pleading hand.

"He deserves it for provoking Jessica's most important person."

"I heard Caleb's real identity is actually..."

They whispered amongst themselves.

"No wonder Jessica values him so much, and even Ms. Chloe treats him with such care. Caleb's noble aura just can't be hidden, even as a junior employee."

"That jerk Alex, he deserves what he gets for bothering someone he shouldn't."

They closed the doors and windows, happily leaving for a company dinner with the funds Jessica specially approved.

I lay alone and helpless on the cold floor.

Until I became a stiff corpse...

The memory sent shivers down my spine.

I abruptly widened my eyes, pulled open my drawer, and threw a pile of medication and hospital records onto Jessica's face.

"Is this what you call 'spoiling' me?"

Then I slammed a stack of contracts I'd secured onto her desk.

"Is this what you mean by 'worthless'?"

A flicker of guilt crossed her face.

I pointed at Caleb, still feigning innocence in her arms:

"Me bullying him? Which eye are you seeing that with?!"

I'd suffered enough; I wouldn't tolerate it anymore. I yanked Caleb out of her embrace and started dragging him towards the exit.