Chapter 9

Calvin's words were sharp and cutting. Anger simmered beneath Alexia's calm facade, but she took a deep breath and replied steadily, "That's right. I am busy. Unlike you, I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I have to work to make a living. Or do you expect me to live on air?" Calvin's face darkened further. "You're really something—shameless and yet so self-righteous." Alexia's brows knitted together. "It's you rich people who are ridiculous. I'm here working, and somehow that makes me shameless?" It was completely unreasonable. Calvin's gaze was ice-cold as he looked down at her. "Who gave you the right to waltz in here and act like you own the place? Do you actually think you're Mrs. Reed? Get out." "First of all, I'm not 'waltzing in here.' I'm here to do my job. And second, I know exactly where I stand—I've never once pretended to be Mrs. Reed," Alexia shot back, clenching her fists. "So, Mr. Reed, don't push me too far." Calvin laughed, but it was a cold, humorless sound. He took a step toward her, closing the distance between them, his presence radiating authority. "You schemed your way into the Reed family on the wedding day, then conveniently showed up at the bar, and now here you are, rushing to parade yourself around the company. Tell me, who's crossing the line here? Me—or you, with your little schemes?" Alexia involuntarily took a step back. "No… I'm not here to make any sort of statement. I'm genuinely here to work." Calvin's voice cracked like a whip. "Who gave you this job?" "Grandpa," Alexia replied, pressing her lips together, her voice steady. Calvin's eyes grew even colder. "Impressive. You've got Grandpa wrapped around your finger. But don't think for a second that his approval will get you anywhere with me. Leave the company. Now." It felt like a slap in the face. Alexia's heart clenched, and she struggled to keep her composure. Her chest rose and fell as she said, "I haven't done anything wrong. Mr. Reed, you can't just fire me for no reason." She couldn't leave. She'd already quit her job at the bar—she couldn't afford to lose this one too. Christine was counting on her to pay for treatment. Calvin's patience was clearly at its limit. Without another word, he called out, "Adrian." Adrian entered the room promptly. "Mrs. Reed, please come with me." Alexia stood her ground, refusing to move. Calvin started to walk away, his long strides carrying him swiftly toward the door. In a panic, Alexia reached out and grabbed his sleeve, abandoning all her earlier defiance. "Mr. Reed, I really need this job. I'll work twice as hard—I promise. Please don't kick me out." Calvin looked down at her, his gaze icy and unyielding. "The Reed Group isn't a charity. Let go." "I won't!" Desperation colored her voice as she pleaded, "I swear, as soon as the eight months are up, I'll sign the divorce papers without hesitation. I swear on my life. Just let me stay in the company." The Reed Group's salary was far higher than what she could earn elsewhere. Losing this job wasn't an option. Calvin's tone was dismissive. "I don't need your promises. When the time comes, whether you want to leave or not won't matter." "If you think I have some ulterior motive, I don't. The only reason I need this job is because someone in my family is seriously ill. I need to work. I need the money," she insisted. Swallowing her pride, she laid her vulnerabilities bare, one by one. Pride wouldn't put food on the table or pay for treatment. She didn't need pride—she needed Christine to survive. Calvin let out a cold, mocking laugh. She was using the sympathy card now? Lies upon lies, all crafted to manipulate him. "Whether your family lives or dies has nothing to do with me. Leave now, or I'll have someone throw you out," he replied coldly. Alexia's grip on his sleeve slipped, her hand falling to her side as frustration and anger surged within her. She fought back tears, but finally, the dam broke. "You really think you're so desirable? Not everyone wants a piece of you! You were just lucky to be born into wealth, but beyond that, what do you have? "Don't flatter yourself by thinking every woman has an agenda with you. If it weren't for my mother, I'd never have married you! You're nothing but a cold-blooded animal—you don't care about anyone's life or death!" Calvin's face darkened, his gaze narrowing to a razor's edge. The air between them was changed, the tension so thick it felt almost suffocating. Adrian stood by, too terrified to make a sound. Just then, a phone rang, piercing the heavy silence. Calvin glanced at the caller ID. It was Victor. Without a change in his expression, he answered the call. "So, how's Lexi settling into the job? If she's not used to the cafeteria food, take her out for lunch with you," Victor's voice echoed through the line. Calvin's expression remained impassive as he listened in silence. "You listening, boy? If her grandfather hadn't saved my life back in the day, I wouldn't be here, and neither would Reed Group. A life debt is a life debt—just take care of her, Cal. I'm asking you as a favor." Hearing Victor's weary sigh, Calvin couldn't bring himself to refuse outright. He replied evenly, "Got it." Nearby, Adrian seemed to snap back to his senses. He quickly stepped forward, saying, "Mrs. Reed, please come with me." Alexia's reply was curt. "No need. I can leave myself." Without waiting for a response, she turned to leave. As she took a step, the tears she'd been holding back spilled over, her face shadowed by exhaustion and defeat. Her legs felt weak as if every ounce of strength had drained from her. She couldn't even hold onto a job. She felt completely useless. Just as she reached the door, Calvin's voice cut through the room. "Stop." Alexia turned back to face him. "I already agreed to leave the company. What more do you want, Mr. Reed?" Calvin ignored her question, directing his gaze at Adrian instead. In a low voice, he said. "Take her to the janitorial department to report in." Alexia froze. What did he mean by that? Adrian, recovering from his surprise, quickly nodded and gestured for Alexia to follow him out of the room. Once they were gone, Daniel finally emerged from his hiding spot behind the couch, stretching lazily as he got to his feet. Calvin glanced at him. "Enjoyed the show?" Daniel coughed lightly. "I'm just a bystander, man. But seriously, Mr. Reed Senior asked you to take good care of the girl, and you 'took care' of her by assigning her to janitorial duty?" Calvin exhaled a puff of smoke, watching the rings dissipate. "She was desperate for a job. Out of respect for Grandpa, I gave her one. Whether she likes it or not is her problem. If she doesn't, she's free to leave anytime." Daniel clicked his tongue. "Gotta say, being married to a husband like you? She's got real bad luck."