Elise forced a smile, pretending to be indifferent, as if the picture Tyree so casually shared hadn't stirred any feelings at all.
If she let her emotions slip now, the delicate connection she had tried so hard to protect might just vanish into thin air.
She still remembered how, once when she was a little tipsy, she'd asked Braden if he'd ever be with Mylee again, and he'd assured her, "There won't be a next time."
By "no next time," did he mean she just wouldn't catch him next time?
She suddenly felt foolish. He'd been able to ignore her for nearly a whole day without a second thought—how could she believe she was someone important to him?
The sweet moments they'd shared days ago, every tender embrace, now felt like one big joke. She felt like a puppet, there for him whenever he pleased.
Even though she didn't want to think about why he was ignoring her, the entire day had passed, and she still couldn't stop herself from thinking about him.
It was already seven in the evening, and the employees from various departments at H Corporation were clocking out one by one. Only Elise and Evelyn remained, still showing Tyree and Rory around every corner of H Corporation.
Evelyn was puzzled. They'd toured the entire company an hour ago and explained the general operations, yet Elise seemed distracted, her mind elsewhere.
They were at the main doors of the first-floor management office, ready to see Tyree and Rory off, but Elise seemed distant, as if something significant had shaken her, making her unusually silent and withdrawn.
Evelyn noticed her friend's strange behavior and felt a growing concern, her heart rising and falling with Elise's mood, though she didn't know how to ask about it.
Just as they were about to leave Zayne Tang, Rory suddenly felt unwell, complaining of dizziness and nausea. Evelyn had no choice but to take her to the restroom, planning to return later to check on Elise.
"Sweetheart, why are you so down?" Tyree reached out and, without asking, gently touched Elise's cheek.
Elise snapped back to her senses, immediately taking a big step back. "Tyree, I'm fine."
"Oh, come on, you don't look fine at all," Tyree said, undeterred, his hand lingering as though wanting to touch her a bit more.
He shifted his focus to her hand, clearly intent on thoroughly massaging those cloud-white, delicate fingers of hers.
Elise jumped in surprise again. All day, he'd been showering her with attention, but he kept himself in check when others were around. Now that they were alone, though, he seemed ready to let loose, as if he no longer needed to hide his obsession.
"Tyree, please…don't do this," Elise responded timidly, her face pale.
She kept backing away, trying to put as much distance between them as possible.
Because of the partnership, she didn't dare make a sound or do much to resist. She was afraid her personal feelings might jeopardize the entire project.
Everyone had put so much into this deal, and Zayne had invested a lot of time and money. If she ruined it because of her, she simply couldn't bear the responsibility.
"My sweetie, are you just being shy?" Tyree stepped even closer, ready to ignore her discomfort as he reached for her hand, trying to pull her into his arms.
Elise, terrified, tried to shake off his hand, but he was like a fly, clinging to her relentlessly.
Just as she was considering shouting for help, Braden suddenly appeared, standing right behind Tyree.
Braden shoved Tyree aside, shielding Elise behind him. Then, without hesitation, he grabbed Tyree by the collar.
"Tyree, can't you take a hint?" Baden's face was grim, his voice sharp with warning.
Elise was completely stunned behind him. How was Braden here? Wasn't he supposed to be gone for three more weeks?
But what difference did it make if he was back? The fact remained that he had been ignoring her.
"Hey, what's your deal?" Tyree looked put out, his face wrinkled in frustration. "I was just playing around with my sweetie. What's got you so worked up?"
"You'd better correct yourself. She's my fiancée, not your 'sweetie.'" There was an icy chill in Baden's gaze, his tone firm and deliberate. "Elise is my fiancée—did you get that?"
"Well, you didn't put a tag with your name on her. How was I supposed to know?" Tyree brushed his hand off, feigning innocence, then patted Braden on the shoulder. "Just make sure you remember what you said today."
With that, Tyree swaggered off with an air of arrogance, his parting words almost sounding like a warning.
Braden didn't care about his threat in the slightest. After calming himself, he turned around and took hold of Elise's slightly trembling shoulders.
"I'm sorry, are you okay?" Baden's voice was much gentler now, as he looked her over carefully to check for any injuries.
After all, Tyree was unpredictable. No one could be sure what he might do.
Elise looked at him in a daze, wanting to hide in his arms. But then she remembered how he'd been ignoring her and even cozying up with Mylee. Swallowing her bitterness, she pushed him away.
"I'm fine. You don't need to apologize; this has nothing to do with you." Elise took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "I'm going now."
"Don't be so cold… I rushed back to see you because I was worried you'd overthink things. I'm leaving again soon." Braden rubbed his brow, trying hard to explain. "My phone accidentally broke, so I couldn't call you."
Elise listened to his explanation, her resolve beginning to waver. So he had come back all the way here just for her.
But… what about Mylee? How was he going to explain that?
"Work is important. You didn't have to rush back," Elise replied, her tone as indifferent as a glass of plain water, showing no sign of being moved by his words.
"It's my fault. Don't be like this, please…" Braden paused, searching for where he could've gone wrong to make her so distant.
"I'm not being unreasonable; I'm just stating the facts. This project is important for both parties, and if it goes south, no one can afford the consequences, especially with the kind of deal you're handling now," Elise spoke like a cold machine, her words devoid of warmth.
"I know the project is crucial, and I know facing Tyree has been hard on you. That's why I came back—to see you, didn't I?" Braden pushed aside his own hurt, focusing on her emotions. "Did he show you something? Like… pictures of me and Mylee?"
He and Mylee had pretended to date for three months, but he'd never felt anything for her during that time. It was just that everyone in the company loved pairing them together, constantly commenting on how well they matched.
He figured someone must have taken a picture and shared it in the company group chat, and the only one petty enough to spread it around would be Tyree.
Even before Tyree joined H Technology, his reputation for being a heartbreaker and a meddler was well known. He loved stirring up trouble, especially by messing with other people's relationships. Yet, his skill as a screenwriter was undeniable, which was why so many companies were eager to recruit him.
At the mention of the photos, Elise was taken aback. So Braden really knew what he had done?
"You should just go back to Taichung. Isn't work like this anyway? I can take care of myself." Elise bit down, purposely avoiding his concern. "Take care on the road—I won't say more."
"Can you tell me what you need me to say, or what I should do, for you to forgive me? She shouldn't have leaned on me, but when she did, I pushed her away. I even left the room. Isn't that enough? Do you really want to say these things just to hurt me?" Braden couldn't bear her cold sarcasm any longer. He pulled her close, holding her tightly, his voice thick with emotion as he laid his feelings bare.
Elise's heart, once as steely as iron, finally softened. Especially in his tight embrace, she realized his voice held a trace of fear, a hint of helplessness.
Listening to him, she felt her heart give way, starting to regret that her words had been a bit too harsh.
"Do you think I don't feel hurt too? I was waiting for your call for so long. Why didn't you just borrow someone's phone? Why did you have to leave me waiting? You could have just asked Jakob." Elise still sounded a bit annoyed, though her heart had long since softened.
"I'm sorry. I didn't think that far ahead… Please don't be mad anymore, okay?" Braden coaxed her, pulling her even closer.
He was terrified she might draw a line between them the next moment, say goodbye and end it all. Deep down, he was riddled with anxiety, afraid of losing her for good.
"No way. I still have to punish you. You let her get way too close, and I've been putting up with Tyree's harassment all day." Elise was stubborn, unwilling to let him off so easily.
Hearing this, he relaxed a little. If being punished meant she'd let go of her anger, he'd gladly accept it over the cold distance she'd put between them earlier.
Braden asked cautiously, "What would you like me to do?"
"How could you do that… you just can't disappear on me again…" Elise stretched her slender arms, hugging him back, her voice soft and sweet. "If you pull a vanishing act again and then come back all close like this, I'm not talking to you anymore."
"That's it?" He looked at her in disbelief, thinking he'd need to put in way more effort to earn her forgiveness.
"Not enough for you? Want me to give you that whole speech again?" Elise pouted her honeyed lips, teasing him on purpose.
After all, she was a victim too. Not only did she have to watch him go on a month-long business trip with Mylee, having way too much fun, but she also had to fend off attacks from Tyree.
"I promise you." He leaned down, burying his head in the warmth of her soft, fragrant shoulder. "But don't say those things again. I really love you, so hearing that… it hurts me too."
His heartfelt words touched her deeply. She patted his shoulder lightly, and as he raised his face, his eyes still surprised, she leaned in to give him a gentle kiss on the cheek.
"I love you too. That's why I got so upset. And I'm hurt as well… it's not just you." Elise softened her stance, no longer wanting to clash with him.
"Alright… I'll fix my phone today so you won't have to worry about finding me again." Braden touched her cheek, feeling the last of his worries fade away.
At that moment, Rory, returning from the makeup room, couldn't help but admire their sweet and affectionate exchange.
