Chapter 3

3

The next morning, after pulling an all-nighter, I finally finished the work.

I planned to eat breakfast at the cafeteria, go home to sleep, and then pack for Alaska.

When I got home, I saw Alistair helping Lana move clothes into our living room.

"Lana is going to D.C. for training. She can't take all this stuff, so she said she'd leave some for you."

"Valerie, this is a high-quality imported mug. And this is a sturdy steel-frame umbrella..."

I looked at the items Lana was introducing. They were all her second-hand junk.

Suppressing the bitterness in my heart, I shook my head. "I'm not used to these things. Keep them for yourself."

The atmosphere turned awkward instantly.

Lana stood there sheepishly. "Valerie, are you looking down on my things?"

I kept my back to her. "I am. I don't use other people's second-hand things."

"Ms. Foster, if you're actually being kind, then return the valuable items you took from me."

"The color TV I won in the design competition, and the luxury watch the Bureau gave me as a reward..."

In our five years together, I had been considerate of Alistair's finances and used my own money to help him.

Who would have thought his "care for a struggling subordinate" involved spending all his money on Lana?

Now I wanted to be petty. Why should Lana enjoy everything?

As expected, Alistair's face darkened immediately, and he scolded me without hesitation.

"Valerie! How did you become like this? So calculating!"

"We are all good friends with Lana. Is it necessary to be so obsessed with every little item?"

I looked up into Alistair's terrifyingly cold eyes and nodded calmly.

"It is necessary. Because those things belong to me. She needs to give them back!"

Lana's smile froze. Her eyes filled with tears.

"Alistair, don't fight. I'll go back and return everything right now."

With that, she ran out of the house crying.

Alistair chased after her immediately. I didn't have much of my own stuff left.

To avoid more trouble, I packed up and moved into the Bureau's dormitory.

Alaska is freezing, and we'd be doing field surveys. I needed warm clothes.

Just as my colleagues and I were heading to the store to buy supplies, I ran into Alistair at the Bureau entrance.

"What transfer? Where are you going?"

I turned to let my colleagues go ahead. I took a deep breath, ready to confess. "I―"

But before I could explain, Alistair spoke with suppressed rage.

"Valerie, how did you become so vicious?"

"You knew Lana was going for training, so you made up this transfer excuse to make sure no one showed up for her farewell party!"

"You've been spreading rumors about us, causing her to be ostracized. I'm so disappointed in you!"

Hearing his accusations, my heart sank.

Lana's training and my departure were on the same day.

My colleagues wanted to hold a farewell party for me. Compared to Lana, who had only been there for a few months, they obviously chose me.

I looked at him calmly.

"Alistair, I don't have the time or energy to target Lana."

"As for the colleagues, they aren't ostracizing her. Believe what you want."

Alistair looked at my calm expression, seemingly searching for a lie.

Finally, with a hint of guilt, he looked away and grabbed my hand to lead me back.

"It must be a misunderstanding. Come to the office and explain things."

"Bad rumors will affect Lana's work in D.C."

The scar on my palm hurt from his grip. My anger finally exploded.

I looked at Alistair coldly and sneered. "It won't affect anything."

"I've already withdrawn the marriage application. No one will gossip about you two anymore!"