Chapter 1259:
“What’s going on?” Brad asked calmly, having clearly caught the shift between them.
The question made Kari tense. She recovered quickly and said, “It’s nothing — just work matters between a boss and an employee. He’s nowhere near your level, so don’t read too much into it.”
Nowhere near his level. The words went through Sherwood like a blade, severing the last thread of his restraint. He turned and walked out, his fury with nowhere to go.
Brad watched him leave, then turned back to Kari. After a pause, he said plainly, “I’m not blind. Were you two ever together?”
Kari hadn’t expected him to pick up on it, but she chose to reframe it in her favor. She smiled and slipped her arm around his shoulder. “I didn’t know you’d get jealous over me.”
A rush of pride and satisfaction filled her chest, and the frustration she had long felt toward him seemed to dissolve in an instant.
But Brad gently removed her hand and said evenly, “I just remembered I have something to take care of tonight. I’ll head out first.”
𝗡o𝘷е𝘭𝘴 𝗶𝗻 𝘵𝗿𝘦𝗇𝘥 𝗼n g𝖺𝗹n𝗈𝘷𝖾𝗅ѕ.𝗰𝗼m
After he left, Kari remained in her office, a pleased smile still resting on her lips. She savored it — watching him grow quietly possessive, subtly keeping other men at a distance, showing a side of himself he rarely revealed. It gave her the sweet illusion that he belonged to her and no one else.
So when Sherwood’s messages began arriving — each one more desperate than the last — she glanced at them briefly and deleted them without reply.
It continued that way until the third day, when Sherwood stepped directly into her path in the underground parking garage after work.
“We need to talk,” he said hoarsely. His eyes were red from sleeplessness and rough stubble covered his jaw — nothing like the polished, self-assured man he had once been.
Kari frowned and instinctively stepped back, making no effort to conceal her distaste.
“Talk about what?” she said coolly. “Mr. Howe, shouldn’t you be focused on work? Three of your biggest clients have moved to Brad, and you’re falling apart over it? Since when did you become so fragile?”
For a brief moment, all the color left Sherwood’s face.
“Kari, he’s pushing me out!” His voice shook. “You can’t just stand by and watch this happen. I’ve done everything you asked — I waited when you told me to wait, I stayed silent when you told me to stay silent, I went along with everything you wanted. And now that Brad has come along, you’re simply throwing me away?”
Kari let out a soft laugh. The smile on her lips was elegant and composed, yet it sent a chill straight through him.
“Sherwood,” she said slowly, her tone measured and deliberate. “Do you really believe there was something between us?”
She stepped closer, the sharp click of her heels echoing against the marble floor of the quiet garage, each sound landing on him like a blow.
.
.
.