"No, I didn't."
Sarah lied when Keith questioned her. She couldn't tell him the truth. It was painful to see him betray her, but Sarah had to endure it. Somehow, she did not want him to know.
Keith fell silent, as if he were thinking about something. "Okay," he finally said.
"Why did you ask? Did something happen?" Sarah also pretended to be curious.
"Nothing. I thought you came."
"Of course. Otherwise, I wouldn't see what a jerk you are!" Sarah cursed in her mind.
"I have to go, Keith. I'll talk to you later."
Sarah didn't wait for his response. She must have sounded cold, maybe even strange, but she didn't care. Though she hated that feeling, she committed to staying on guard around him. She didn't want to fall again. She didn't want to relive the humiliation of standing outside his door, realizing she meant nothing.
As soon as she stepped into the main lobby, she let out a long breath. "Have mercy on me, God," she murmured, trying to steady herself.
She headed straight to the elevator and rode up to the fifteenth floor, where the CEO's office was located. The secretary greeted her with a polite smile as she approached.
"Miss McKaley, you're late—" she glanced at her watch, then added, "ten minutes."
"I'm sorry. Something came up before I got here…" Sarah said, catching her breath. She nodded, acknowledging her mistake. "It won't happen again."
The secretary gestured for her to follow. "Come with me. I'll show you your room."
Sarah followed her to a room right next to Jayden's. Her eyes shifted, and she held her breath. The secretary opened the door, revealing a modern, comfortable private room. Sarah slightly furrowed her brow, but the secretary kept smiling as she explained.
"This used to be Mr. Lin's break room, but he had me turn it into your temporary workspace. I've just installed a computer and printer for you."
"This is my office?" Sarah asked to confirm.
"Yes. Temporarily, until we set up a new space for you, you were personally recruited by the CEO, so management didn't have time to prepare. That's the reason."
Sarah slightly pursed her lips, then nodded.
"Thank you. It's… very comfortable." Her gaze moved around the room, taking in the clean, minimalist design.
"Of course. Mr. Lin liked this room very much. He even placed a bed here before."
Sarah let out a small, awkward chuckle. The secretary was sharing too much information.
"Is there anything else you need?"
Sarah shook her head and smiled more confidently. The pressure she had felt earlier that morning had disappeared. She felt that the company had accepted her. For the first time, she felt comfortable working in a high-level company like SJ.
"I'll be available online, and you can reach me through the chat system. If you need anything, call line three. One connects to the CEO's office, two to the vice president, and three to me."
She demonstrated the office phone briefly. Sarah nodded in understanding.
"And one more thing," the secretary added, pointing to a door on the left. "Please don't open that door unless the CEO authorizes it."
"What's inside?"
"A connecting room."
"I understand. Thank you."
The secretary gave her one last nod and turned to leave.
"Um… may I see Mr. Lin?" Sarah asked before she stepped out.
The secretary smiled. "He has a breakfast meeting this morning. He hasn't confirmed his arrival time yet."
Sarah frowned slightly. She had thought Jayden would expect her on her first day. Maybe last night hadn't meant much after all.
"Welcome to SJ Corporation," the secretary said warmly before leaving.
Sarah only smiled in return. Once the door closed, Sarah let out a bigger, prouder smile. She looked around, feeling happy. The room felt unreal. She had never imagined working in a place like this. Even before her first task, Jayden had shown her more respect than Keith ever had.
"I won't disappoint him," she whispered to herself. "I won't."
This opportunity, she wouldn't waste it.
***
Jayden sat across from Ron Pelman, his lawyer, fully focused on their discussion. Ron was a friend and also Veronica's half-brother. He told Ron that he was ready to launch his green energy tower project with SJ Telecom. The design was final; he would use the one he had bought from Sarah McKaley. So, he came to ask for Ron's opinion.
After thirty minutes of breakfast, the conversation turned serious.
"I still think involving Keith is important," Ron said, setting his cutlery down. "It sends a message to the Vanderbilt family."
Jayden exhaled slowly and shook his head.
"No. I can't."
"Why not?"
Jayden's gaze dropped to the table. His fingers rested against the edge of his plate, his thumb brushing absently against them.
"Keith isn't built for this," he said quietly. "He lies, wastes money, and refuses to grow up."
Ron sighed and leaned back slightly. "Jay, we've been over this. You've worked toward this for years. Don't let it fall apart now."
Jayden kept shaking his head. Ron picked up his cutlery again and cut his salad before taking a bite, while Jayden stared blankly at the table, deep in thought. His fingers continued rubbing against each other.
Jayden let out a low, tired breath, his gaze unfocused.
"I don't trust him with it," he said finally. "He's not a capable heir. I won't hand over his mother's inheritance to watch him waste it."
His eyes lifted sharply to Ron.
"He's a player. I don't even know how many women he's involved with. He throws money at them like it means nothing."
"I think that's just youth," Ron replied calmly.
Jayden let out a humorless breath.
"Come on, Ron. He's only seven years younger than me."
"Still, you'll have to hand over his mother's will eventually."
"Only when he meets the conditions," Jayden said flatly. "Which he hasn't, and won't, at this rate."
Ron set his cutlery aside and clasped his hands together. He drew in a slow breath, studying Jayden carefully. Veronica had been his late half-sister, and he had trusted Jayden with her, believing he could give her the stability she had lost after her failed marriage.
"So what's your move?"
Jayden leaned back slightly, his gaze steady but cold. "I'm still deciding." A pause. "But I won't make a mistake."
His jaw tightened.
"I could cut him off completely," he continued, his voice low. "But the moment that inheritance lands in his hands, it's gone. He'll burn through it without a second thought."
A faint, humorless smile touched Ron's lips. He understood exactly what Jayden meant.
Jayden wasn't just being strict. He was protecting what was left of Veronica's legacy, making sure her useless ex-husband, David, would never get a single cent.
"I will find a way," Jayden added then.