Chapter 4

When it was time to get off work, everyone in the sales department left the company right on time. Ian Caldwell, a fellow secretary who shouldered on the duties of an assistant, stood at the doorway. "Mr. Richardson, Ms. Sherwood's messenger dropped by earlier. She'd like to remind you to attend the afterparty that will be held at Springside Restaurant tonight." "Got it." I took off my glasses and placed them on my desk. At the same time, I felt quite confused. To think that Luna hoped that I could attend Samuel's afterparty tonight… I didn't like seeing her being intimate with other men, but she seemed pretty hooked on that notion. It was as though she desperately needed me to witness her infidelity with others. … In the luxury private room located at the end of the hallway at Springside Restaurant, Luna could be seen taking the main seat at the round table. Samuel sat next to her. Both of them were currently staring at me as I stood at the doorway. Samuel called out to me in a friendly manner, "Mr. Richardson is here! Come! Take a seat!" But there weren't any empty seats left for me at the table. Neither Samuel nor Luna chose to reserve a seat for me despite knowing that I'd show up for the afterparty. Obviously, they were trying to humiliate me in public. But how could I let such a petty thing ruin my mood? I just told the server, "Please bring me another set of cutlery as well as a chair and a plate." "Understood, sir. Please give me a moment." Soon, the server brought me a chair as well as the things that I requested. "Thank you." After that, I sat down. I'd like to see what Luna and Samuel were up to this time. The moment I took my seat, the server began serving dinner on the table. This was pretty weird—did someone inform the server to only serve after my arrival? I didn't think much about the gesture. Instead, I just dug into the food. The atmosphere slowly became boisterous. The other employees in the sales department started toasting to Luna and Samuel. After a few rounds of alcohol, everyone gradually became bolder. They started to loosen up a lot more. Of course, Samuel was itching to put on another performance soon. He filled up his wineglass before drawing to his feet in order to toast to Luna. Samuel cleared his throat instantly. "Everyone, please settle down. I'd like to give a speech." Everyone grew silent, as expected. After all, Samuel was no longer the same intern who had just joined the company three months ago. He was the one who secured the deal, not to mention he was the star employee who was favored by Luna. He raised his glass at Luna. "Tonight, I'd like to thank Ms. Sherwood the most. I wouldn't be here tonight if it weren't for Ms. Sherwood's faith in me. It's all thanks to our lovely boss that I get to score the contract deal. That's why I must toast to you, Ms. Sherwood." Once Samuel was done speaking, he was about to throw his head back and down the wine when Luna stopped him. "Sam, since you have a bad stomach, you shouldn't be drinking. Come here and sit down. You're the main reason why the contract got signed in the first place." I just dipped my head low while eating the vegetables on my plate. Of course, I caught every word of the conversation without fail. Luna continued with a smile, "Besides, you're a very capable employee. The project that you've drafted is highly accepted by Mr. Hutton's team. To think that you're able to improve leaps and bounds even though you're just an intern! Everyone should learn from you." Samuel seemed to revel in Luna's praise. Hence, he put down his glass of wine and grinned at her. "Ms. Sherwood, can I call you 'Luna' from now on?" The moment I heard Luna's name being uttered, I tightened my grip on the fork while raising my head to glare at Samuel in dissatisfaction. Although my marriage with Luna was a secret, the majority of the employees in the company knew that we were husband and wife. It was just that we weren't on good terms with each other. The fact that Samuel chose to bring that question up just proved that he wanted to insult me in front of everyone. Quite a number of people were brave enough to run their mouths, thanks to their intoxicated state. "Hey, Sam, Ms. Sherwood belongs to Mr. Richardson, you know?" "Precisely. You've only been here for three months. You'd better get rid of any unwanted ideas, you hear?" Instead of receiving Luna's reply, Samuel heard a few other people making fun of him. The ones who spoke up were veteran employees of the sales department. Samuel knew very well whose toes he could trample without consequences. Hence, he dared not offend the veteran employees. All he did was look at Luna in an aggrieved manner. "Ms. Sherwood, I didn't mean it like that…" Luna slammed her wineglass onto the table heavily. Her expression now dark, she said coldly, "I don't belong to anyone. I'm my own person." Everyone traded glances with each other. For a moment, the atmosphere became awkward. As I observed the silence around me, I suddenly burst out into laughter like a madman. "That's right. We're about to get divorced, after all. It only makes sense that our lovely boss is now free for all."