CHAPTER 7: CHAPTER 7: DID YOU BREAK UP?

The night rain had just ended.

The next morning, when Holly entered the company, many people’s eyes lingered on her.

The shiny mirror door of the elevator reflected her outfit today. Looking at herself in the mirror, Holly felt somewhat unfamiliar.

This was the first time in five years she hadn’t worn that somber black business suit.

"Ding."

The elevator door opened.

The crisp sound of high heels passed through the office area and arrived at the secretary department.

Holly’s steps paused slightly.

Mia was surrounded by a few colleagues, her impeccably made-up face was hard to conceal its charming and prideful expression, holding a large bouquet of cappuccino roses in her hands.

The pinkish-brown petals were still glistening with dew, clearly delivered this morning.

Familiar packaging, familiar bouquet.

Zion Pence, do you love her that much? So much that even when you are in the police station, you don’t forget to send flowers to your lover?

"Mia, your boyfriend is just too good, sending you flowers every now and then!"

"Yes, yes, in comparison, my boyfriend’s taste in flowers is too terrible."

Mia enjoyed the compliments from others, showing off while holding the flowers.

"Oh, actually the first time my boyfriend sent flowers, he didn’t send the ones I liked. Later, I told him I liked cappuccino, and he knew."

Her voice was sickly sweet, but to Holly, it sounded like poison laced with honey.

So, it wasn’t a matter of not being able to tell apart.

So, it wasn’t a matter of poor memory.

In the face of the truth, all the excuses seemed pale and hollow.

In Zion Pence’s heart, he had never paid attention to her thoughts, her preferences were never worthy of serious consideration.

The faint scent of roses at this moment seemed to transform into a pungent poison, and Holly had to hold onto the sofa’s backrest to barely steady herself.

"Mia, your boyfriend treats you really well! That necklace you’re wearing is Aurelian’s new model, right?" One of the colleagues exclaimed in amazement, extending her palm, "At least fifty thousand! Plus, you have to order three months in advance!"

Mia covered her mouth with a smile, gently twirling the rose gold heart necklace around her neck, "Well, he just gave it to me the day before yesterday, said it looked good on me!"

The necklace spun between her fingers, the diamonds embedded within sparkling dazzlingly under the lights, piercing into Holly’s eyes.

Her gaze seemed nailed to the necklace.

This necklace...

Three months ago, as her birthday was approaching, she was browsing through pictures on Aurelian’s website, and Zion saw. At that time, he embraced her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder, "Like this one? I’ll give it to you for your birthday?"

At that time, she merely said she was browsing, no need to waste money, but inside she still anticipated his intention.

But how could a man’s offhand promise be taken seriously?

On her birthday, he frowned and said, "That necklace needs to be ordered in advance, all sold out. Besides, a secretary shouldn’t wear such ostentatious jewelry."

In the end, he placed a twill silk scarf in her hands, with the remark, "Holly, this scarf is more suitable for you."

And because of his words, she cherished the scarf like a treasure, storing it away in her wardrobe.

Looking back now, she realized how foolish she had been back then, blinded.

That brightly colored scarf was likely just an accessory to the necklace.

Heh.

Recalling the luxury items that appeared on Mia from time to time and reflecting on what she had given and received over the past five years.

Holly’s eyes were filled with coldness, her very blood seemed frozen.

A phone notification sounded.

It was a message from the housekeeping company: "Dear member Ms. Crowe, your 360-degree comprehensive house cleaning is underway. Click the live link below to watch in real-time."

The sudden phone notification broke the current atmosphere.

Administrative assistant Lynch was the first to notice Holly standing not far away, her voice altered slightly by surprise, "H-Holly!"

Upon hearing, several colleagues turned around, and upon seeing Holly, couldn’t help but take a sharp intake of breath.

Is this... Holly?

No...is this the same Secretary Crowe who wore outdated, old-fashioned clothes every day?

Colleagues privately gossiped about Secretary Crowe, always glued to her professional outfits, as they had never seen Holly in casual wear since joining the company.

Turns out, she was so beautiful!

The usual neatly bun hair was, for once, cascading in large waves today, a misty blue figure-hugging dress accentuated her slim waist, beneath the V-neck lay a tantalizing hint of collarbone, and the silver high heels she wore made her look tall and cool.

If only she dressed like this earlier!

Who doesn’t love a beautiful woman!

Holly stepped forward, feeling the piercing gaze from all directions, and Mia’s gradually glooming face.

"Holly, you’re stunning today!"

"This dress makes you look so fair!"

"Holly, you look way better in a dress than a business suit! Beautiful! Love it! Wear it more often!"

Administrative assistant Lynch cheerfully gathered around, "Holly, is this dress from Chantelle’s early spring collection? Not cheap at all～"

Holly faintly smiled, her peripheral vision caught the creased rose wrapping paper in Mia’s grip, and she swayed her skirt, "Good eye."

"Wow! Could this be a gift from your fiancé?"

Holly’s heart trembled, but she didn’t answer.

In fact, it was a birthday gift she had bought for herself three months ago.

It had been hidden in the deepest part of her wardrobe, known only to her.

With time she had almost forgotten the dress existed.

And almost forgotten what she used to be like.

Indeed! How could a man’s promises be trusted?

If you want something, just buy it for yourself.

Her silence seemed like consent in the eyes of others, sparking a new round of flattery.

Holly watched Mia’s smile turn distorted, not denying anything.

"Holly, are you dressed up so beautifully today for a date with your fiancé?" Administrative assistant Lynch winked, full of curiosity.

With this question, the air fell silent for a moment.

Everyone at the company knew Holly had a boyfriend of many years, engaged just last year, though no one had seen the man. Recently, rumors even spread that her fiancé was a fifty-something bald tycoon.

These groundless rumors at the company weren’t new to Holly.

Any woman would feel uneasy hearing slanderous rumors, and she had discussed making their relationship public with Zion Pence, yet every time faced his impatience.

"Holly, why care about what others think? Publicizing our relationship now wouldn’t be good. Let’s wait a little longer."

"Holly, you know I love you, but if people knew about us, there would surely be gossip, and it might affect the company’s progress. Please, think for me, and let’s wait a while longer."

She believed him.

And waited.

Waited for five years.

From initial anticipation to a heart as calm as water.

She also thought that with time, everything would be okay, that as long as she was with Zion Pence, nothing else mattered, but in reality, it was a lie!

For a whole five years, she was like an invisible person, bearing rumors while playing the "perfect secretary" to Zion Pence, who was flirting behind her back with another woman.

Seven years of dating, five years of a hidden relationship.

If her colleague hadn’t discovered her engagement ring recently, no one would have known she was about to get married.

Right!

Clearly, they were about to get married.

Yet in the end, she remained a hidden existence.

Holly’s silence made the atmosphere awkward.

Mia returned to her haughty demeanor, innocently saying, "Holly, you couldn’t have broken up, could you? I noticed that you didn’t wear your engagement ring today."

Everyone collectively looked at Holly’s fingers, and she instinctively touched the mark on her left ring finger.

She slightly curled her lips, her tone light, "I’m planning to change to a larger engagement ring soon."

Mia, unwilling to be outdone, asked, "Really? When will you bring your fiancé over for us to see, Holly?"