She Rejected the Heir, I Married Him Chapter 04

She Rejected the Heir, I Married Him Chapter 04

The car entered an affluent neighborhood on the south side of the city and stopped before a sprawling estate.

The Mercer residence.

I opened the door and stepped out.

The estate manager came to greet me.

“Mrs. Mercer, Mr. Mercer asked us to prepare the south-facing primary bedroom on the second floor for you.”

“Everything inside has been selected in your size.”

“Thank you.”

I went inside.

The house was stark and minimalist, with no unnecessary decoration.

It reminded me of Julian.

I settled into the primary bedroom.

The dressing room was filled with the latest women’s collections, and a complete set of luxury skin

care sat on the vanity.

It was an unexpected amount of care from a supposedly reckless heir who did nothing but spend

money.

It was also more respect than Nathaniel had shown me in eight years.

At noon, the estate manager brought lunch.

“Mr. Mercer said he’ll be at the family estate putting on a show for his grandfather. He may not return for a few days.”

“Please let me know if you need anything.”

Putting on a show.

I caught the phrase and nodded.

“Understood.”

Julian didn’t appear for the next three days.

I spent my days drawing and reading, as invisible as I’d promised to be.

Then, on the fourth afternoon, the Whitmore company’s design director called.

“Clara, Miss Pembroke changed the fire-rated panel specifications in the Crescent Hotel renovation plans you handled before you left.”

“The contractor has stopped work, and the city inspector wants the plans resubmitted.”

“Mr. Whitmore wants you here immediately to sign a statement admitting you submitted the

incorrect version.”

My pen stopped moving.

“Vivian changed the specifications. Why should I take responsibility for professional negligence?”

“Those are Mr. Whitmore’s instructions.”

The director’s voice was rigid.

“He said you don’t have a job anymore anyway. A negligence finding won’t matter.”

“Miss Pembroke has a future in society. She can’t afford a stain on her reputation.”

I laughed in disbelief.

“I’m not coming.”

“Don’t make us get ugly, Clara.”

The director gave a cold laugh.

“Mr. Whitmore said if you refuse to sign, the company will report you to the state architecture board for gross negligence. No firm will touch your résumé after that.”

The call ended.

Ten minutes later, Nathaniel called from a different number.

I answered.

“Get your ass to the office.”

He was barely containing his anger.

“Vivian’s crying her eyes out. The owner tore into her because of your negligence.”

“My negligence?” I gave a bitter laugh.

“If you’d explained the specifications properly, she wouldn’t have changed them incorrectly.”

His logic was as flawless as ever.

“I’m not coming.”

“Clara Bennett.”

His voice turned dangerously low.

“You think marrying Julian Mercer makes you untouchable?”

“The Mercer family is about to go bankrupt. Julian can’t protect you.”

“Come here, take responsibility, and apologize to Vivian. Then I might leave you a way back.”

“Otherwise, I’ll make sure you never find another job in Alderhaven.”

That was Nathaniel. He always knew exactly where to hurt me.

My future, sacrificed to keep Vivian innocent.

I said nothing.

“Did you hear me?” he demanded.

A long-fingered hand reached over my shoulder and took the phone.

Startled, I turned.

Julian stood behind me. I hadn’t heard him come in.

He wore the same black shirt, a faint, cool scent clinging to him.

He lifted the phone to his ear.

“Nathaniel Whitmore.”

His voice was low and cold, leaving no room for argument.