Chapter 4

That face was a nightmare branded into her memory. Elizabeth unconsciously clenched her fist, letting her nails dig into her palm to escape the flashback.

"I'm sorry, but I can't take this job," she managed to say.

Seeing her reaction, Aaron's mouth curved into a calculated smile. "Twenty thousand a month. Not including bonuses."

Elizabeth felt her feet freeze to the floor. Twenty thousand... enough to get through her current crisis...

"Tonight's business dinner is crucial," he continued unhurriedly. "Tell you what—to show my sincerity, I'll advance you a month's salary right now. Perform well tonight, help us land this project, and there will be additional compensation."

He nodded to the finance manager nearby, and soon a stack of crisp bills was placed before Elizabeth.

Those green bills branded her eyes and dignity like hot irons.

He had somehow guessed she needed money. And he was right.

After a moment's hesitation, Elizabeth accepted the heavy stack. "Thank you, Mr. Wright."

Aaron's satisfaction was palpable, smugness practically radiating from him. "Now let's get you dressed."

Elizabeth followed Leona out like a soulless puppet. Just as they stepped into the hallway, Aaron's barely suppressed snicker reached her ears:

"Guess who's landed in my hands? Cornelius's wife! Yes, that Elizabeth Whitaker! She used to act so high and mighty, and now she's begging me for a job..."

Elizabeth didn't catch the rest, nor did she need to.

Leona had someone do her makeup and gave her a figure-hugging green mermaid dress that accentuated her curves.

Aaron's eyes danced with amusement when he saw her transformation. "Let's go. Make sure you perform well tonight."

They drove to the hotel venue and entered an elevator already containing several elegantly dressed socialites. The worst part—she recognized every single one of them.

"Well, look who it is! Isn't this Mr. Habsburg's wife?"

Elizabeth's body stiffened at the voice behind her. She didn't turn around, wishing she could disappear entirely.

"Well, well! What are you doing with another man? Did Mr. Habsburg finally throw you away?"

"Mr. Habsburg has a new flame now. His old love has to make her own way in the world."

"How pitiful."

"What's pitiful about it? She was the woman Mr. Habsburg once turned the world upside down for. Maybe she has some... special talents. Like being particularly good at pleasing men?"

Their venomous words were like poisoned needles, precisely targeting Elizabeth's most vulnerable spots.

Her mind frantically wondered if the elevator was malfunctioning—why wasn't it moving up yet?

Aaron, just now learning about this juicy backstory, suddenly spoke up, "Elizabeth, don't you think my shoes look dirty?"

His black leather shoes were immaculate, polished to a shine that reflected the overhead lights.

With the envelope of crisp bills weighing heavy in her purse, Elizabeth clenched her fists, then slowly crouched down before him. She pulled a tissue from her bag to wipe his already gleaming shoes.

The moment her trembling fingertips touched the leather—

Footsteps echoed from the entrance to the banquet hall. The air instantly crystallized around them.

As the newcomer approached, an invisible pressure descended on the crowd. The previously noisy gathering fell silent immediately.

All eyes were drawn to this commanding presence, and people hurriedly stepped back, creating a wide berth for him.

Cornelius.

Dressed all in black, his presence was undeniable. The lights cast severe shadows across his sharply defined features, and wherever his gaze swept, people held their breath.

Seeing his silhouette, Elizabeth instinctively lowered her head, avoiding eye contact.

Why was he here? He should have been using the private elevator.

Cornelius didn't even look at her. He simply asked Aaron in a deceptively casual tone, "Are your hands broken?"

"Mr. Habsburg, you make an excellent point. How could I possibly let Mrs. Habsburg polish my shoes? She was being too accommodating—I couldn't stop her fast enough."

Aaron didn't dare meet Cornelius's eyes as he quickly pulled Elizabeth to her feet.

From his response, it seemed Cornelius hadn't completely abandoned Elizabeth after all...

But Cornelius's next words shattered that impression: "Someone who debases herself doesn't deserve to be a Habsburg."

He didn't spare Elizabeth even a single glance.

An eerie silence filled the elevator.

When they reached the fifth floor, the two men exited.

Mark, knowing Aaron's character all too well, hesitantly asked, "Would you like me to look into this situation, sir?"

Cornelius paused, glancing back at the ascending elevator. "No need. If that's what she wants, let her be."

Perhaps five years ago, she had sought out Aaron on her own, and Cornelius had simply interfered where he wasn't needed.

Mark hesitated but didn't question further. "Yes, sir."

The elevator continued upward in awkward silence until reaching the seventh floor.

Aaron pushed open the door to a private room already filled with guests, immediately apologizing for their late arrival with exaggerated deference.

All eyes turned toward them, with someone joking that Aaron's new assistant looked like a movie star.

Aaron preened at the comment while the men's gazes lingered on Elizabeth, their scrutiny almost tangible.

"Go pour Mr. Thomas a drink," Aaron hissed with a warning glare. "Can't you read the room?"

Elizabeth approached James Thomas with a practiced smile. "Mr. Thomas, I'd like to toast you."

"Delighted," James replied, his eyes briefly dropping to her chest. His hand moved toward her, but she managed to step back slightly as she drank, avoiding his touch without being obvious.

His face darkened, saying nothing more.

After retreating to Aaron's side and resuming her compliant demeanor, Elizabeth endured as the alcohol flowed and business talk gave way to industry gossip.

"Did you see Mr. Habsburg earlier? So young yet so powerful. I heard he's completely taken control of the Habsburg family. Nobody can stand against him."

"That woman with him was gorgeous too. She's clearly his favorite. One of my colleagues was rejected by Mr. Habsburg, but just a few words from her, he immediately granted another chance..."

"I think her name is Angelina Sullivan. Everyone knows how Mr. Habsburg dotes on her."

"What about his wife? Has anyone met her?"

The room hummed with speculation and whispered secrets until someone said, "I heard she was responsible for the death of Mr. Habsburg's childhood friend. Do you think he had her quietly eliminated?"

Aaron raised an eyebrow with a smirk. "Ms. Whitaker might know something about that, right, Ms. Whitaker?"

Elizabeth froze as curious eyes turned to her. She replied flatly, "You must be joking, Mr. Wright. I'm hardly important enough to know such things."

The room erupted in laughter, especially James, who commented on her wit.

Aaron's lips curled into a half-smile as he raised his glass. "Come on, Ms. Whitaker, let's drink."

Elizabeth closed her eyes and downed the burning liquid in one go. The alcohol scorched a path from her throat to her empty stomach, triggering sharp, twisting pain.

Fighting rising nausea, Elizabeth excused herself to the restroom, escaping the suffocating atmosphere.

She hunched over the sink, dry heaving and producing nothing but cold alcohol. Tears blurred her vision as she splashed cold water on her face repeatedly, trying to regain composure.

She kept telling herself things would get better, or she feared she might collapse.

Just then, a tall, imposing figure entered her field of vision.

Cornelius.

He cast a contemptuous glance at her tear-streaked face. "Seems like your life without me has certainly become more interesting, Elizabeth.

"Being mocked by those nobodies while you smile and pour their drinks—is this what you wanted?"