Chapter 8


    “Ms. Heidi, the lounge next door has got some snacks and refreshments. I’ve asked Nicole to keep


    youpany,” Dawson offered with a weing smile.


    With a gleam of sincerity in her eyes, Heidi looked at Dawson earnestly. “I’ve heard such good


    things about Ms ra. I was hoping she could join me.”


    “Sorry, Ms. ra is the President’s Chief Secretary. She’s needed in the meeting,” Dawson replied.


    He wasn’t born yesterday. The boss had been at odds with Ms. ra these past few days. If he let


    her stir the pot, would the two ever patch things up?


    Heidi’s smile didn’t waver. “Is that so? I’ve heard she makes an excellent cup of coffee. Could you


    ask her to brew one for me?”


    With a cold tone, he instructed, “Do as she asks.”


    Dawson stared atn for a good ten seconds before heaving a resigned sigh internally. ‘Mr. Hayes,


    you’re having your current me wait on your ex. Do you realize this could cost you your


    rtionship?”


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    Dawson reluctantly led Heidi away.


    ra was at her desk organizing documents for the meeting when Dawson tapped on her


    workspace. “Ms. ra, Mr. Hayes wants you to bring Ms. Heidi a cup of coffee in lounge 02.”


    ra looked up, her response cool and collected. “Sure, in a moment.”


    After tidying up her materials, she headed to the pantry. She took out a bag of coffee beans from


    the cab and began grinding them in the coffee machine. As she prepared to brew, a petite figure


    sidled up beside her. Her expression remained neutral. “Ms. Heidi, the coffee will be ready in five


    minutes.”


    Heidi’s seemingly innocent face twisted into a sneer. “Ddoesn’t it strike you as odd to see me


    here?”


    Without pausing her task, ra’s gaze remained lowered, focused on her work. Her voice was


    even. “There’s no shortage of women throwing themselves at Mr. Hayes every day. I see nothing


    strange here.”


    “Don’t you get it?” Heidi’s voice took on a chilling edge. n’s only with you because you look so


    much like me. He’s never cared for you. You’ve been nothing but a stand–in for me. Now that I’m


    back, it’s time for the understudy to exit stage left.”


    ra poured the hot water into the coffee cup, the aroma filling the pantry. She inhaled the scent


    with pleasure and asked with a smile, “Italian beans have a nice kick. How sweet do you like your


    coffee, Ms. Heidi?”


    Hejdi felt like she had punched a pillow, her anger deted. Fists clenched, she seethed “ra,


    drop the act You’re withn for the money, right? Here’s a check for ten million. Please disappear


    from his life promptly ra masked her inner turmoil with a carefree demeanor, casually dropping a


    sugar cube into the coffee and stirring with practiced ease. Her tone was casual, dismissive. “I hear


    you’ve been under the weather You should probably save that money for your medical bills. It’d be


    such a pity if you didn’t make it to the altar withn, wouldn’t it?”


    “ra, you-” Heidi gritted her teeth in fury. She had underestimated how tough ra would be to


    deal with. With venom in her eyes, Heidi grabbed the coffee from the table and flung it at ra.


    The scalding liquid arced gracefully through the air, heading straight for ra’s face.