LORI

Lori's POV.

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Three weeks ago, I went to Connor's apartments to hand over his favourite meal, the one I had prepared for him. Because I was a vivacious, pretty, and naive person, I was a loyal girlfriend to him and did everything to satisfy him.

Except for the sex, I denied him. Yes, I was a virgin who wanted to keep herself till the night of her wedding, so I didn't permit sexual activity as I wasn't ready yet. Though he wasn't happy about it, and would even pressurize me, I remained on my word.

But then, as I got to his apartment on this fateful day, I heard hushed gasps and moans of a girl in his apartment. I couldn't believe my ears. I summoned the courage to push the door open, revealing him on top of another girl. I couldn't look at the cruel moment one more time. His meal fell off my hand, and I rushed out of the room, walking away with tears in my eyes.

But he ran after me and spun me around to face him. I yanked his hand off my shoulder and declared our relationship over. " I'm breaking up with you, Connor."

Instead of him saying something, anything to calm my heart that had almost reeled out of my chest, he threw a dirty slap across my face. " Do you think you can survive without me, huh? You will be doomed if you're unable to pay your debt, and you can't do that without me."

I clenched to the impacted cheeks, and tears flushed down my face. I left his apartment that day with a blurted heart. Worst of all, I even told Cynthia everything about it and she advised me as though she was a good friend. I never knew Cynthia had been secretly dating Connor.

And right now, I had seen it with my own eyes myself. I left his apartment, not interrupting their conversations. Nonetheless, I had had a change of plans. I would accept the Job opportunity, and make sure she paid for betrayal.

I went back home, sobbing so hard. I sat on my bed all day. I regretted coming across them- the two people I trusted most, came together and betrayed me heartily. I brought out my laptop, and quickly typed on it, sending an acceptance message to Mr. Knight.

The next day, I received a mail from the Knight's headquarters, telling me to come over for my interview. I stood up and wore my simple dress, and opted for flat shoes. I grabbed my little handbag and sauntered out of my room. I took a cab and headed towards the headquarters.

I took a deep breath and stepped out of the cab, smoothing my dress and trying to gather the little confidence I had left. The Knight headquarters towered over me, a massive glass structure that seemed too grand, too overwhelming for someone like me. I felt small and fragile, but I had made up my mind to be here. After everything that had happened, after the betrayal I had endured, this was my shot at starting over.

At the reception desk, a girl with blonde hair pulled back into a tight ponytail looked up as I approached. Her smile was professional but cold, as though she was used to dealing with people beneath her. I cleared my throat, my voice barely above a whisper at first.

“Hi, I’m here for an interview... Lori Adams. I got a message from Mr. Knight’s office.”

Her eyes flickered with recognition as she tapped a few keys on her computer. "Adams, Lori," she repeated to herself, scrolling through her screen. "Alright, you’re scheduled for—"

Before she could finish, a voice cut through the lobby like ice.

“Lori.”

I froze. That voice. It was impossible. My heart dropped as I turned, and there he was. Connor.

He was standing at the entrance to the lobby, dressed in a tailored suit, looking as smug as ever. His eyes held that same cruel glint they had the day I left his apartment in tears. A mocking smile curled his lips as he approached, the room suddenly felt too small with his presence.

“You are here to seduce Mr. Knight ?” he sneered, loud enough for the people around us to hear. Heads turned, whispers starting to ripple through the lobby.

I felt my chest tighten, panic bubbling beneath the surface. Why was he here? Why now? I had hoped that after cutting ties with him, I would never have to see his face again. But life had a way of shoving your worst nightmares right in front of you when you least expected it.

“ you shouldn't be here, Connor. Please, leave,” I managed to say, trying to keep my voice steady, though it trembled.

Connor let out a sharp, derisive laugh. "An interview? Here? You’ve got to be joking." He took a step closer, his voice dropping lower, though I could tell he wanted the people around to hear. “What, did you forget that you owe me money? Or did you think you could just waltz into a job like this without facing reality?”

I felt my blood run cold. He couldn’t be doing this. Not here. Not now. I opened my mouth to speak, to defend myself, but the words got caught in my throat. All I could do was stand there, feeling the weight of everyone’s eyes on me.

Connor turned to the receptionist. "You should check her credit score. See if she’s even worth hiring. I mean, a debtor like her?” He looked at me again, his smile wicked. “What kind of person walks into a place like this when they’re drowning in debt?”

I could hear the snickers from the nearby onlookers, and feel their judgment seeping through the air. My heart pounded, and my hands felt clammy. Every second standing there was like another dagger to my already fragile self-esteem. My cheeks burned with humiliation.

“ I'm not,” I tried to say something, anything, but Connor cut me off again.

“She can’t even pay back what she owes,” he continued, his voice dripping with contempt. “Tell me, Lori, how do you plan on making it in the corporate world when you can’t even manage your finances?”