Chapter 13

The skyscraper seemed to pierce the clouds, and Liliana had to crane her neck to see the top.

She had never been to his office before.

She knew the Forrests were in a different league than her own family, but standing before this monument to their success, she realized just how vast the gap was. Even at their peak, the Prestons were nothing compared to this.

From the senior executives to the front desk receptionists, everyone was impeccably dressed and carried themselves with a sharp, professional air.

In this environment, it was no wonder Cedric looked down on her, a simple housewife even if she had become one for him.

She was overwhelmed with a feeling of not being good enough, suddenly doubting herself.

She found a quiet corner and called Timothy.

"Mrs. Forrest."

"Mr. Stanton, I'm downstairs. Could you please " She had intended to just leave the items with him.

But he cut her off. "I'm in a meeting, but I'll send someone down to get you immediately."

"No, that's not "

He had already hung up.

Less than two minutes later, one of Timothy's assistants appeared, politely inviting her upstairs.

"You can just give these to Mr. Forrest for me," she said, holding out the file and the container.

"I'm sorry, miss, but we're not authorized to handle documents intended directly for Mr. Forrest. You'll have to deliver them yourself." The assistant smiled apologetically and gestured for her to follow him inside.

Reluctantly, she complied.

In the executive office, Cedric, fresh from a meeting, loosened his tie with an irritated tug.

"Boss, Mrs. Forrest is here," Timothy announced, placing a document on his desk.

Cedric froze for a second, the harsh lines on his face softening slightly. A smirk played on his lips So much for her pride. It hadn't even been a day, and she was already here to beg for forgiveness.

He tapped his chin, considering his next move.

"Should I postpone your next meeting?" Timothy asked.

Cedric thought for a moment. "Push it back half an hour." He couldn't let her off too easily. He needed to teach her a lesson. Ten minutes wouldn't be enough.

"Right away, sir."

Liliana had taken the regular elevator, which stopped at nearly every floor. By the time she reached the top, several minutes had passed.

"Is Cedric in his office?" she asked the assistant.

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"Mr. Forrest has been incredibly busy lately, one meeting after another. Mr. Stanton said he's- practically been living at the office, taking international calls all night fe must be exhausted..."

The assistant rambled on, not really answering her question, but his words made Liliana's brow furrow with concern.

Cedric had stomach problems from his irregular eating habits.

"Here we are," the assistant said, stopping in front of a pair of massive, dark wood doors. "You can go right in. I have to get back to my other tasks."

Before she could protest, he was gone.

Staring at the imposing doors, she pictured Cedric striding through them, the epitome of power and success.

*Just drop off the things and leave,* she told herself. *Don't let him get to you.*

Taking a deep breath, she pushed the doors open.

The office was a symphony of dark gray and chrome, a perfect reflection of its owner: cold, elegant, and understatedly luxurious. An entire wall was made of glasse flooding the room with morning sunlight.