Chapter 6
Mr. Holbrook turned sheet white instantly, not knowing how he’d offended this powerful man. He stood frozen in terror.
Blake strode away purposefully, not sparing Amber another glance.
Holbrook remained rooted to the spot. Only when everyone had disappeared did he realize his back was drenched with sweat. Feeling utterly humiliated, he made no further conversation with Zach, hastily making excuses to leave-practically fleeing the scene.
The others quickly dispersed as well.
Amber opened the car door for Zach.
Once seated, Zach examined the contract and remarked, “You handled that well tonight. I half-expected you to lose your cool.”
He was referring to Holbrook’s behavior-everyone could see the man wanted to sleep with her.
In the past, Amber wouldn’t have tolerated it.
But survival required enduring such things now. Her professional qualifications weren’t enough.
“Director Pratt, I really need the money.”
Zach loosened his tie and leaned back. “What’s going on between you and Blake?”
Even an idiot could see Blake treated her differently.
“We’re done.”
“Whoa, that’s breaking news. Remember when I nearly kissed you after those drinks? He broke three of my ribs and got me fired from Westwood Corp. Do you have any idea how high up I was? Firing me put him under serious pressure.”
Especially since he’d been in that power struggle with his older brother at the time.
Amber pressed the gas pedal, her expression impassive. “It definitely wasn’t because of me.”
Zach hadn’t reached his executive position by being stupid. He understood the dynamics perfectly. The first lesson had been enough-he wouldn’t dare make a move on Amber again. Blake was like a rabid dog; get in his crosshairs and you’d be lucky to escape with your skin.
Eyes closed, he gave his home address. “Pick me up at 6:30 every morning. I want to review all schedule arrangements. You handled tonight well. During your interview, you should have realized this position basically means selling your image. Professional skills aren’t the priority. Whether you get taken advantage of depends on your own abilities.”
Her tactics with Holbrook had been clever. Sometimes when men receive a bit of flattery, they believe they’re truly impressive-hero complex in full swing. That’s why Holbrook signed without hesitation when he saw her struggling with the contract.
Forty minutes later, the car stopped at Zach’s home. He grabbed the contract and got out. “This is one of my company cars. When you’re not picking me up, you can use it occasionally. Just remember to expense the gas.”
All things considered, Zach was decent-kept personal and professional matters separate.
Amber nodded. After Zach went inside, she drove away.
Her sister Jordan called just then.
“Amber, it’s so late. Why aren’t you home yet?”
Before Amber could answer, her brother-in-law Mark’s voice came through: “Why do you care? She’s been thrown out by her husband. I’ve heard the whole story-Mr. Westwood has someone new. Your sister’s completely useless-all those years with him and she couldn’t even secure a property.”
Jordan’s tone immediately grew awkward. “Amber, Mark’s just had a rough day at work. Don’t take it personally.”
By now, Amber had pulled up outside Jordan’s apartment complex. She knocked on their door.
Jordan opened it, immediately concerned at Amber’s pallor. “Are you sick? You were caught in the rain just last night.”
Sis, I’m here for my luggage. I’m planning to rent my own place.”
“Why rent something now? Rent is expensive here, and you’re broke, aren’t you?”
The company had advanced her a thousand dollars today. She’d stay at a hotel tonight and look for affordable housing tomorrow.
Jordan tried to persuade her further, but Mark slammed a door in the background. “Didn’t I tell you? Mom’s coming over soon. We don’t have extra rooms.”
Jordan had little standing in her own home. She clutched Amber’s hand awkwardly, at a loss for words.
Amber smiled faintly and went to retrieve her suitcase.
She’d arrived last night with just this small case.
Jordan walked her downstairs, steps heavy. “Amber, is there really no chance with Blake?”
Amber placed her suitcase in the trunk and nodded. “We’ve said everything that needs saying. Mark mentioned taking you to the hospital for tests soon. What’s
that about?”
Jordan touched her belly, looking dejected. “We’ve been trying for two years without success. I want to check if there’s something wrong with me.”
Her mother-in-law placed great importance on grandchildren. At twenty-nine, Jordan faced mounting pressure-if she didn’t conceive soon, in a few years it might be too late.
“If only you and Blake had a child. Things wouldn’t be like this now.”
Amber’s lips twisted in a bitter smile. She and Blake hadn’t been intimate for years-how could she possibly get pregnant?
He loathed touching her.
“Sis, I need to go. You should head back up.”
As Amber drove away, she glanced in the rearview mirror and saw Jordan still standing there. A wave of sadness washed over her.
She remembered when they’d escaped their village together-she was eleven, Jordan fourteen.
The suffocating opulence of NY weighed heavily on her soul. After all these years of grinding and hustling, she was still just another face in the crowd-one of countless souls desperately clawing their way toward survival in a city that never stopped demanding more.
Ten minutes after leaving, her phone rang. It was Blake’s grandmother.
“Amber, dear, why aren’t you home yet? I’ve been waiting at your place for quite a while. Even Blake has returned.”
Amber’s fingers trembled. Mrs. Westwood had always been incredibly kind to her-the only person in the Westwood family who truly cared.
Years ago, when the Westwoods had agreed to make her their goddaughter, it was primarily to silence gossip. Only Mrs. Westwood had genuinely hoped for her marriage to Blake.
The elderly woman’s health was fragile. She’d been on medication for years, and doctors warned against emotional distress.
Amber had even learned massage techniques specifically to help her whenever she visited the family estate.
She felt her throat constrict, unable to find words.
Mrs. Westwood clearly sensed something was wrong. She frowned at Blake, who sat nearby reviewing contracts. “Have you been fighting with Amber again? Can’t you control that nasty temper of yours? You ungrateful child! If those rumors about you and Victoria Reed are true, I’ll break your legs myself! Cough cough cough…”
Her agitation triggered a coughing fit.
