The Genius Bride He Underestimated Chapter 04

The Genius Bride He Underestimated Chapter 04 I Don’t Want to Hear Your Excuses

“Have the financial report analysis for Vegas Partners done before lunch break ends.”

Sloane went back to her desk.

Even though she’d been transferred to the secretary department as nothing more than a low-level clerk, Thea still dumped a pile of work on her—tasks that were never supposed to be hers.

And Sloane accepted every single one.

She stayed at the company like this, working herself to the bone, but it was just her own self-deception. Jaxson was never going to spare her a second glance.

After finishing the report analysis, Sloane handed both the electronic file and the printed copy to Thea, then ordered delivery.

The company had a cafeteria, but she always brought her own lunch. She didn’t want to go somewhere crowded. She didn’t want people’s eyes weighing her up and down. She didn’t want to socialize. She only wanted to be alone, quiet, and undisturbed.

But she hadn’t prepared lunch this morning, so she made do with delivery.

While she waited.

A couple coworkers returned to the office after eating, walking in while chatting excitedly.

“Mr. Cole’s girlfriend is so young—she’s still at college, right?”

“Probably. She’s seriously gorgeous, like a doll.”

“And the way the CEO looked at her—so soft it was practically dripping. Who knew someone as stern as him could be that devoted? It’s literally the real-life romantic novels!”

The two of them talked as they came in, then noticed Sloane at her workstation, sitting there like a stone statue.

Ever since she’d been transferred to the secretary office, she barely spoke to anyone outside of work. Lately she’d gotten more and more withdrawn, wearing a mask all day like she couldn’t show her face.

It was hard to imagine that just over half a year ago, she’d been the CEO’s glorious, untouchable assistant.

After getting the delivery driver’s call, Sloane stood up.

When she went downstairs to pick up her food.

She happened to run into two hotel staff carrying boxed dishes, asking the front desk for directions. The receptionist swiped a card for the CEO’s private elevator.

Sloane saw the bottle of red wine in one staff member’s hand. Just that single bottle cost around two million dollars. Two million—pocket change to Jaxson, money he could earn in less than a minute.

She carried her delivered braised pork rice back upstairs.

At two in the afternoon.

Thea came to her and said, “Mr. Cole wants to see you.”

Sloane’s heart jumped. A vague, terrible premonition rose in her chest.

And sure enough.

The moment Sloane stepped into the CEO’s office, the weight of the room pressed down on her like a physical force. She walked to the desk and said, “Mr. Cole.”

When Jaxson looked up, his handsome face was cold and hard. Without a word, he hurled a file folder at her. It struck her square in the face.

The sharp edge of the paper sliced across her cheek. A sting flared instantly. She stared at the documents scattered at her feet—her report from this morning.

One hand braced against her stomach as she bent down awkwardly to gather them.

The man’s dark eyes tracked the way she held her belly, the slow, careful way she crouched.

Sloane scanned the report in her hands and spotted several incorrect figures immediately. She said, “Mr. Cole, this isn’t the report I wrote.”

“Enough. I don’t want to hear excuses.”

Sloane’s grip tightened on the papers until her knuckles went white.

Jaxson knew her capabilities. He wasn’t refusing to listen—he was choosing to believe she’d failed.

To be hated this much by the man she loved… she was pathetic. A joke.

She drew a slow breath, closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them and forced the words out. “I kept a backup. I can send it to you now. After you’ve seen it, you can tear into me then. It won’t be too late.”

Jaxson’s eyes narrowed. Displeasure flickered openly across his face.

Sloane’s nerves pulled taut. Deep down, she was afraid of Jaxson—the kind of fear you have for someone with power, especially when his expression went cold. She almost never dared to contradict him.

But now she forced herself to stay steady. They were getting divorced anyway. She’d give him what he wanted. After this, she’d never set foot here again. She’d stopped hoping for anything from him.

So what was there to be afraid of?

“You think you’ve been wronged?” His voice was ice, edged with mockery.

Sloane met those sharp, black eyes. Her nails pressed into her palms as her voice came out heavier. “You didn’t even ask what happened before you blamed me. Don’t I deserve to defend myself?”

Jaxson’s expression turned arctic. “Then that’s something you deserve.”

A violent pain ripped through Sloane’s chest. The color drained from her face.

Then.

The lounge door opened.

A young girl stepped out in a pink satin slip dress. Her long black hair gleamed, her skin almost luminous, her features so delicate they were impossible to look away from.

“Jaxson!”

Her voice was like a gentle spring rain—soft, warm, and tender.

Sloane finally saw the girl’s face clearly. She really was stunning enough to make anyone feel inferior.

Sloane only looked once before the man barked harshly, “Get out!”

Sloane pulled her gaze back, swallowed the surge of emotion, turned around, and walked out.

The moment she left the office.

She heard the girl soothing him gently, and the man quickly calmed down.

Sloane lifted her chin, forcing the tears in her eyes back down.

She went to the deserted stairwell corner. One hand held the railing. Her emotions finally snapped, and tears fell in a steady stream. The pain in her heart twisted so hard her stomach churned.

To rip an eight-year love out of her heart completely was no different from carving bone and stripping flesh. But it was fine. Everything would get better. She would forget him completely.

She didn’t know how long passed.

When she finally calmed down and went back upstairs toward her workstation, she ran into the girl walking toward her. The girl was dressed head to toe in custom designer brands, exquisite from hair to heels—clearly someone raised in luxury and spoiled with love.

Adrian escorted her personally. He was Jaxson’s special assistant.

Seeing Sloane, the girl smiled and walked over, stopping in front of her. In a gentle voice, she said, “It’s okay now. Jaxson won’t blame you anymore.”

As she spoke.

She reached into her bag, took out a pearl, then took Sloane’s hand and placed it in her palm. “This is for you. Don’t be sad. And remember to treat the cut on your face. It won’t look good if a girl has a scar on her face.”

What a beautiful, kind girl.

Compared to someone glowing with youth like her, Sloane felt like a clown living in a dark world.

When Sloane didn’t respond at all.

Adrian frowned and reminded her coldly, “Aren’t you going to thank Miss Reed?”

So her last name was Reed.

Liora Reed withdrew her hand. “It’s fine. Let’s go.”

The two of them left.

Sloane stood where she was, staring at the silver-blue Australian white pearl in her palm—flawless, as pure as that girl.

She just didn’t know whether Miss Reed understood the fact that Jaxson was already married.

Back at her desk.

She printed the original document again and delivered it to Thea. When Thea saw her, there wasn’t a trace of shame on her face—only smug satisfaction.

“Did you see it clearly? That’s what a girl who’s worthy of the CEO looks like.”

Sloane slammed the materials down in front of her. “So I’m not worthy—and you’re not either. You can only pull trashy little tricks like this. You’ll never have a future in your life. You’re already in your thirties—hurry up and find someone to marry. Stop day dreaming.”