Overdue Love

When Elaine had locked me in the cold storage, Cameron and Ian had been standing right behind her and saw everything.

Ian wanted to open the door for me, but Elaine gripped his sleeve and cried out tearfully, "I really need to get this deal, Ian. Belle is too good at her job. If I continue working for her, I'll always be under her shadow. I'll only be able to prove myself if I get to close this deal."

In the end, his hand paused. Even though he could hear my heart-wrenching pleas for help, he hesitated.

He had always been a caring and meticulous person. He knew when my period was. He also knew my condition. My menstruation cramps were so intense that they would often make me feel faint.

Therefore, whenever my period came around, Ian would always prepare some nourishing food for me and other supplies that would help me feel better.

He once said, "I'll take good care of your health. You're a little klutz who never knows how to look out for herself."

But this time, he abandoned me in a cold storage room without being concerned for my health at all.

Cameron had pulled Ian backward and snapped in annoyance, "We've indulged her far too much. She keeps bullying Elaine. Let this be a lesson for her. In any case, it's just a trade deal. Elaine can have it. Since she's good enough at her job, she won't mind losing the deal."

When I heard those words, I felt as if I had plunged into an icy abyss. Every single word that came out of Cameron's mouth stabbed me like a needle. It was pure agony.

He had no idea I spent over three months slaving away to close this deal. He knew nothing about the countless sleepless nights I spent sorting through the information and researching for the deal.

Even when my eyes were bloodshot from the lack of rest, I didn't dare to stop for breaks.

I knew the owner of the factory liked conducting business deals over dinners and cocktail sessions, so I had to join him.

Like a well-trained robot, I swallowed glass after glass of hard liquor. Despite the excruciating pain of the alcohol burning in my stomach, I forced myself to remain composed.

And yet, they were casually handing over the results of my efforts to someone else.

When I saw the footage of the three of them walking away happily as if nothing happened, I felt every muscle in my body going slack. I was filled with grief and exhaustion.

And, when I saw Elaine turning back with a look of malice on her face, I knew she had planned this from the start.

Staring at the release of the liability agreement, I let out an abrupt chuckle. I looked Cameron and Ian in the eye before slowly ripping the agreement apart.

"If you win, I'll sign this agreement. As the two of you wish, I'll leave for good as well," I informed them coldly.

Cameron kicked the trash can before letting out an angry snort. "Fine! So be it! We'll play this game of yours, but you better not regret it!"

On the other hand, Ian was a little hesitant. "We never thought about wanting you to leave, Belle."

However, I ignored him. My gaze remained cold as I said, "Once the game starts, it won't end."

In this game, the only thing at stake was me.