Chapter 2

2.

The next day, the doctor called me, sounding completely baffled.

"Mrs. Sterling, bone marrow transplants require pre-op chemotherapy. Why did you notify the insurance company to stop paying for the medication?"

I said two words calmly: "I'm broke."

Around me, nurses shot me skeptical looks.

After all, if Mrs. Sterling wanted the moon, Julian would buy a rocket to deliver it.

But only I knew that my American Express Black Card was locked. Finding another suitable match was a pipe dream.

Leaving the hospital, Julian's driver opened the door of the Rolls-Royce for me.

"The boss said... come to the office and apologize immediately."

When I arrived at the midtown skyscraper, employees whispered behind my back.

"Even that arrogant socialite got tamed by Chloe."

"No wonder she stopped raging on social media. Chloe must have dirt on her, or the big boss finally put his foot down."

"She used to be a tigress, now she's just a toothless sick cat. OMG."

Being poked in the spine like this hurt worse than death for someone as proud as I used to be.

Chloe stood surrounded by people, looking like a classic innocent 'pick-me' girl.

"Harper, the board agrees that your past behavior damaged the company's image. We have to ask you to apologize to everyone individually."

I took a deep breath and bowed respectfully.

"Everyone, I’m sorry for the trouble I caused in the past. So sorry."

Chloe shook her head.

"They can't feel your sincerity like that. You should kneel."

I clenched my palms, nearly losing control.

"You..."

"Harper, do as Chloe says."

Julian's magnetic voice rang out from behind me.

I turned around in disbelief.

Back when I got his college mistress expelled, her redneck father came with a gun to make me kowtow.

Julian, who doted on me back then, stood by my side for the first time.

"My wife is who she is. I spoiled her, I’ll clean up her mess. She will only apologize over my dead body."

He fought those men with his bare hands. Even as a billionaire CEO, he ended up bloody and bruised.

Blood had spilled all over the floor that day.

Now, he looked down at me and ordered me to kneel for Chloe.

My breath hitched. I squeezed out two words through my teeth: "No way."

Chloe buried her head and sobbed.

"Julian, it seems Mrs. Sterling doesn't think she's wrong. It makes sense... I'm just an intern. I have no right to ask for an apology. Maybe... I'll be her next bullying target."

Hearing this, Julian frowned aggressively. His gaze turned sharp.

"I wondered why you suddenly changed. I thought you turned over a new leaf, but you were just plotting against Chloe!"

"I'm warning you. I can spoil you, but I can also make someone else a star!"

He grabbed my arm roughly and kicked the back of my knee.

In the struggle, a chunk of my hair extensions―along with my fragile, thinning real hair―was ripped right out by Julian.

The crowd gasped.

Julian stood frozen, staring at the clump of hair in his hand.

"What is this..."

I stood there, helpless.

Stopping the medication meant my condition had worsened rapidly.

I opened my mouth to tell the truth, but Chloe's cry of pain distracted him.

"Julian, I think I'm allergic to her perfume. My head hurts."

The next second, Julian shoved me, making me stumble. Disgust filled his eyes.

"Is this part of your calculation too? Get out of my building! Security!"

Under the mocking gazes of the staff, I picked up my fallen hair from the floor.

I turned around, and only then did the tears I’d been holding back finally fall.

Just as I got into the elevator, my phone buzzed with a critical condition notification for my mother.