Chapter 6 Fiancée Visits

Sabrina was intimidated by my cold demeanor and unconsciously stepped back.

Her eyes reddened as she looked around pitifully at the spectators, seeking help. The design department was mostly women, but no white knights appeared. Everyone just wanted to watch the drama unfold—a few supportive comments were charitable enough. No one was about to play hero for her.

Besides, an actual fight would be way more entertaining, right?

I knew this well enough and wasn't worried about Sabrina's little tactics.

"Ah—"

Sabrina stumbled and fell to the floor. A wide space immediately cleared around us. No one stepped forward.

I looked down at her from above, then swept my gaze across the crowd. "I think I need to set the record straight."

"Sabrina, you accused me of stealing your designs. We already confronted this directly that day."

"Mr. Gordon can vouch for me. Plus, I have a backup of your disciplinary notice."

I pulled out my phone and showed everyone. Sabrina's name was clearly written there, complete with an official stamp.

Dead silence fell over the room.

Before Sabrina could defend herself, I continued. "My last name is Rosewood. Yours is Kingsley. The Rosewood family chose you over me—am I supposed to grovel for their attention?"

"Nicholas and I have nothing going on. You're publicly slandering us. Want to get hit with a legal letter?"

Sabrina's face went sheet white.

"I... I'm not lying!"

The people around weren't idiots. Her guilty expression made it obvious I was telling the truth.

Public opinion shifted instantly.

"She's got that whole fake-innocent look down. Typical liar."

"Almost fell for it. How disgusting!"

"Where's security? Why hasn't anyone thrown this troublemaker out yet?"

My coworkers laughed awkwardly and returned to their desks. Security arrived quickly and tossed Sabrina out before she could throw a proper tantrum.

Drama resolved.

I threw myself back into work. But with Nicholas having a fiancée, continuing to live with him really wasn't appropriate. I decided to talk to him about moving out when I got home.

Unfortunately, Nicholas didn't come home for several days straight.

Learning from experience, I reached out to ask where he was.

Nicholas sounded surprised to receive my call.

"Work's been really busy lately?"

My voice came through the receiver. Nicholas made an affirmative sound.

He explained casually, "Sorry, there's a project I need to handle personally. After arriving in Seaside City, things got hectic. Forgot to give you a heads up."

So he was on a business trip.

That cleared things up.

I could vaguely hear subordinates trying to discuss business with Nicholas on the other end.

"Work comes first."

I wrapped up the call considerately and hung up quickly.

The idea of moving had to be shelved temporarily. After all, we'd made an agreement. He was paying me a salary. Leaving without a word would be seriously rude.

No choice but to stay put for now.

A few days later, I came home from work as usual. The moment I opened the door, an unfamiliar scent hit me—expensive incense. Neither Nicholas nor I used anything like that.

Something stirred in my chest. I looked toward the living room sofa.

The woman sitting there looked back at me.

She wore haute couture, her hair professionally styled, her features delicate and refined. Compared to my disheveled post-work appearance, she looked like some ethereal goddess descended from on high.

"Who are you?"

I stared at her, challenging.

The woman raised a hand to brush her hair over her shoulder, diamonds glittering on her manicured nails.

She spoke, her tone unfriendly. "You're Catherine?"

I nodded.

Disdain flickered across her face. "Some country bumpkin abandoned by her own family dares to set her sights on someone completely out of her league. Who gave you the nerve?"

The contempt in her voice was deeply uncomfortable.

I ignored her existence entirely, changing my shoes and setting down my bag.

If she could get in, that meant Nicholas knew her. The only friend of Nicholas's I knew was Blake. As for everyone else—if they looked down on me, no point wasting breath on them.

Seeing me completely dismiss her, rage flared in the woman's chest.

"Did you hear what I said?"

I glanced at her agitated state and gave a bland nod. "I heard you."

The woman took a deep breath. Her refined upbringing prevented her from doing anything too uncouth.

"I'm Nicholas's fiancée, Clara Summers. If you have any self-respect left, move out. Stop clinging to Nicholas."

Her words successfully captured my interest.

Fiancée?

Had Sabrina found her?

I quickly dismissed that possibility. Sabrina could swagger around the Rosewood family, but she wasn't remotely qualified to access high society circles.

That left only one possibility—this 'fiancée' had heard rumors from outside.

I could understand her behavior. If my fiancé suddenly started living with some strange woman, I'd struggle to stay calm too.

I poured her a glass of water and sat down across from her. "I think you've misunderstood. Nicholas and I aren't what you think."

Clara let out a cold snort.

She curled her lip. "I've seen plenty like you. All playing the 'friend' card to get close to men, then using every trick in the book to seduce them."

"Cut to the chase. How much money do you want?"

Her words were harsh, as if she'd already decided Nicholas and I were having an affair.

I rubbed my forehead, choosing my words carefully.

"Nicholas and I have an employment relationship. He pays me a monthly salary. I handle cleaning and cooking. Beyond that, there's nothing inappropriate between us."

Clara remained unmoved.

She examined her manicure with narrowed eyes. "Ha. So you're just a little housekeeper."

"You think I'll believe such a high-minded excuse?"

"You're young—instead of taking the honest path, supporting yourself with your own hands, you're running after men to be a mistress!"

The more I explained, the worse it got.

I found myself at a loss for words.

I could fight back against the Rosewood family's moral manipulation and bullying, but dealing with this wealthy young lady...

A deep sense of powerlessness wrapped around me.

"What will it take for you to believe me?"

"What do you want so you'll leave Nicholas alone?"

Neither of us would back down.

Eventually I admitted defeat.

I showed her the payment records from Nicholas's company finance department and briefly explained why I'd ended up living at Nicholas's place. Clear logic, well-reasoned.

I thought that would clear things up.

Clara's expression darkened. "You're saying all this to make me drop my guard so you can stay close to Nicholas, aren't you?"

"As long as you stop tangling with Nicholas, I can introduce you to other wealthy men."

Her patronizing, charity-case tone finally set me off completely.

Since communication was impossible, might as well give her what she wanted.

"I'll move out tomorrow."

"No. If you leave tomorrow, who knows if you'll go back on your word."

I gritted my teeth and called a moving company, packing my things and leaving right in front of her.

As I was leaving, Clara followed me out.

"I'll cover these moving expenses for you. From now on, turn over a new leaf and be a decent person. Stop coveting things that don't belong to you."

"Not necessary. I have my own money."

I refused flatly.

Fortunately, I'd already picked out a new place earlier. I signed the contract with the realtor efficiently and moved in that same day.