Chapter 1

1.

I found a pair of pristine white Wolford stockings in the back of Julian's Audi.

I knew they belonged to his subordinate, Sienna.

Julian glanced at me in the rearview mirror.

The torrential rain yesterday was so intense that I took the chance to drop off two analysts who were still working overtime. They were completely soaked through, so...

"I believe you."

I cut him off.

That flawless, innocent white was Sienna's signature color. It matched the "harmless little bunny" act she was always pulling at the office.

I'd had countless late-night breakdowns over her and Julian's "friendship," which always seemed to cross the professional line. We fought so much that I ended up in therapy.

He finally caved, swearing to my parents and me that he would have no private contact with Sienna outside of work.

I stared out the window at the flowing lights of the Manhattan nightscape, but I could still feel Julian watching my reaction in the mirror.

After a long silence, he asked cautiously, "Chloe... are you really okay?"

I used to do anything just to get a sliver of attention from this man who was addicted to the games of Wall Street.

But now, his fake concern just felt pathetic.

...

I just shook my head slightly and closed my eyes to rest.

The car slowed to a stop in front of our Upper East Side apartment building. Julian turned around in his seat, an emotion I couldn't decipher in his eyes.

"Why aren't you asking me what happened?"

I looked up at him.

"Isn't this what you always wanted? For me to be more 'mature' and 'trusting'?"

Julian's brow furrowed. He looked as exhausted as anyone who'd just pulled a thirty-hour shift in investment banking.

"Sienna wasn't the only one I drove home, and it was a torrential downpour. They're just girls fresh out of college, can't you just..."

He trailed off, but I knew what he wanted to say. He wanted me to understand how difficult his position as a Vice President was.

"I've already tried my best to keep my distance from Sienna."

"We barely interact outside of work matters. You know her father is one of the firm's biggest LPs."

"I can't afford to make things tense. It's about the company's bottom line."

There was a hint of helplessness in Julian's voice. I let out a small, bitter laugh.

"I get it. In that case, you should return her stockings as soon as you can. We wouldn't want her or her big-shot father to worry."

Julian's face darkened.

Once, after a team dinner, Sienna had insisted on staying behind with Julian to "discuss details for Monday's roadshow."

After that, she started frequently cc'ing her father on work emails, hinting at her "close working relationship" with Julian.

Another time, she claimed a crucial due diligence report needed her father's review before a dawn meeting. She asked Julian to courier it to her apartment in Tribeca―at eleven o'clock on a Sunday night.