You Tainted Our Love, I Took Back All

After that night, Sawyer no longer set foot in the master bedroom. His excuse was that Vanessa had been plagued by recurring nightmares after getting hurt. She would feel so ill at ease whenever Sawyer left her sight that she would attempt suicide.

A week later, the negotiations with a company from a neighboring city reached a crucial point.

As Jessa prepared to fly to Soverna, Sawyer went to her with Vanessa by his side.

“What’s your plan for the negotiations?”

“The proposal is fine, but I’m going alone. The company has a complex background, so having more people would only complicate matters and jeopardize the negotiations.”

“Alright, but bring Vanessa with you so she can learn a thing or two.”

Jessa looked up abruptly. It was a long-established rule that Jessa would not intervene in the group’s management, while Sawyer would not interfere in its business negotiations. Sawyer was breaking that rule because of Vanessa.

“We’re going to negotiate, not fight in a ring. I can go on my own.”

Sawyer had been straightening Jessa’s coat collar. When he heard her words, he stilled and frowned. His tone hardened as he said, “I’d feel better if Vanessa were there.”

After he spoke, he looked past Jessa and commanded Vanessa, “Take good care of Ms. Darling today.”

Then, he leaned close to whisper into Jessa’s ear, “Trust me, Jessa. Give me seven months. I will give you a huge surprise after seven months.”

Jessa’s heart sank heavily.

She did not understand what Sawyer meant by asking her for seven months, but she was willing to trust him that one time.

As expected, the negotiations were tense.

The head of the company she was dealing with, Tom Rogen, had a beer belly, coupled with vicious, beady eyes. He intentionally provoked Jessa. “Ms. Darling, you’re such a great beauty, but you’re such a shark when it comes to business negotiations. I wonder if you’re just as formidable in bed?”

Strangled laughter sounded within the conference room. It was awkward, but Jessa knew that her opponent had run out of moves when they resorted to personal attacks.

Just as she was about to speak up, Vanessa kicked the redwood conference table, flipping it.

Everyone watched in stunned silence as Vanessa rushed forward and pressed Tom to the floor. She rained punches on him until he was out cold.

Before that incident, Jessa had the upper hand in the negotiations. After Vanessa’s assault, they had become the party in the wrong. As such, they owed the other party compensation.

“Call an ambulance! Vanessa, stop now!”

Jessa’s face was deathly pale.

Sawyer walked in at that very moment.

He rushed instinctively to Jessa’s side and took hold of her icy hands. His eyes were filled with worry.

“Why are your hands so cold? Did he do anything to you?”

Jessa was about to speak when Vanessa broke through the chaotic crowd. She dropped to one knee and pulled out a knife. With great force, she plunged it straight into her thigh.

The wet squelch of the blade entering flesh stopped everyone in their tracks.

Vanessa’s face immediately went pale with pain. When she looked up, there was steel in her gaze.

“I have failed in my job, Mr. Pitt. I should be punished!”

Sawyer was taken aback. “Have you gone mad?”

His voice was tense and thready with fear. It was far more sincere than when he had spoken to Jessa.

“Doctor! Call a doctor! Where has everyone disappeared to?”

Jessa could feel her heart plunge back into the icy depths after having just warmed up the slightest bit.

Normally light-footed at the negotiation table, Jessa suddenly found herself at a loss for words.

An ambulance quickly arrived. Sawyer said, “Handle things here,” picked up Vanessa, and left.

“Ms. Darling, your arm…”

Jessa’s assistant, Alex Johnson, rushed over as Jessa let out a shocked cry. He started bandaging her wound.

The wound on Jessa’s arm was so deep that the bone could be seen. But even though the blood had stained Sawyer’s palm, he had not even noticed it.

“I’m fine.”

Jessa looked away from Sawyer’s and Vanessa’s parting backs to survey the mess they had left behind.