Julian was standing there, his face turning a shade of red I'd only seen once before— one night I told him I didn't want to share his bed.
He looked like he wanted to burn the whole of the lobby. "Madeline?" his voice echoed off the marble walls which made people start to turn. "What the hell are you doing here? And why is this man touching you?"
I tried to pull my arm away, but Alistair's grip only tightened. He didn't want to let go.
"She's at work, Sterling," Alistair said calmly in a terrifying way. "Didn't you know? Your wife is my new Executive Assistant now."
Julian stepped forward, his expensive shoes clicking aggressively. He looked at me with eyes of a mean kind of fire. "You're what? Madeline, get over here now. You've had your little tantrum, but this is pathetic."
I had to keep my face down on the floor, my voice stuck in my throat. Everyone was watching us. The perfect Sterling marriage was cracking in public.
"She's not going anywhere," Alistair stepped slightly in front, shielding me. It was a weird feeling because no one had ever protected me in the last five years. "Madeline Sterling already signed an exclusive five-year contract with me."
Julian stopped, his gaze went to the contract in Alistair's hand. A nasty smirk spread across his face. "A contract with him? Oh Maddy… you're really a glutton for punishment, aren't you?"
"I'm his assistant," I whispered, finally finding a bit of my voice. "And I need the salary, Julian. Since you've decided to play games with my father's life."
Julian's eyes narrowed. "You think this job is going to save him? I can have that hospital shut down by evening, and also make sure no doctor in this city treats your father."
I felt the blood drain from my face. He was right. Julian Sterling had the power to do that.
"Actually," Alistair said. "I just bought that hospital. About ten minutes ago."
The silence that followed was so heavy it felt like the ceiling was going to collapse. Julian's mouth opened and closed back like a fish gasping for air.
"You did what?"
"Thorne Enterprise owns the facility now," Alistair continued, sounding bored as if he was talking about the weather.
"As of today, the Vance family's bills are covered under my private charitable foundation. Your funding is no longer needed. Take your money and buy yourself some class. You clearly need it."
I stared at the back of Alistair's head. He did that for me? Or was it just to hurt Julian's pride?
Julian took another step, clenching his fist. I almost thought he was going to punch him. "You think you can just swoop in to take what's mine, Thorne?" She's my wife, her name is on our marriage certificate."
"And my name is on her employment contract," Alistair countered. He leaned in, his voice a low growl. "Trust me, Sterling… I'm much better at enforcing my contract than you."
Julian looked at me, his face twisted in disgust. "It's fine you wanted to be his little pet, but don't come back crying when he realizes you're just as empty as you were five years ago. You're a gold digger, Madeline."
He turned on his heel and stormed out the door.
I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. My legs actually gave out this time, and I stumbled. Alistair caught me by the waist, his hands steadying me.
"Careful," he murmured.
I glanced up at him. "Why would you do that? How did you get to know about the hospital?"
He let go of me quickly as if my skin was hot, and smoothed his suit jacket, his face going back to that cold, unreadable mask. "I do my research, Madeline. I don't hire people without knowing exactly where their leashes are."
He started walking toward the black SUV waiting at the curb. "Get in. We're late for that lunch."
"But… Julian will be there," I said, hurrying to keep up.
"I know and that's the whole point," he whispered, holding the door open for me. For a second, I saw something that wasn't about hate in his eye. This was darker, something possessive.
The car ride was too quiet. I sat as far away from him as possible, pressing my shoulder against the window. I watched the city blur past, feeling like this was a dream or a nightmare.
I kept thinking about the look on Julian's face. He wasn't going to let this slide. He was a Sterling; they don't lose. I just knew he would find a way to hurt me.
"Stop shaking," Alistair said without looking at me. He was typing something on his phone.
"I'm not shaking," I tucked my hand under my thigh.
"Your breath is loud. It's annoying.
I bit my lips and turned my face away. He was acting mean again. Where was the boy who used to share his sweater with me when it was too cold outside? This man was a stranger.
We arrived at a restaurant that looked like it cost a month's rent just to sit down. The maître d' bowed when he saw Alistair. "Mr. Thorne. Your table is ready, and the guests are waiting."
We walked into a private dining room. Julian was already there, sitting across from a man I recognized from the news— a high-level business mogul.
The official stood up upon seeing Alistair. "Good to see you again, Alistair." Then he saw me. "And this is…?"
"My new assistant, Madeline," Alistair said, pulling out a chair for me. He sat next to me, his arm resting on the back of my chair, almost touching my shoulder.
Julian was staring at us, his eyes like daggers. He had a glass of wine in his hand and was gripping it hard I thought the glass might break.
"Assistant?" the official laughed. "She looked like a model! You always have an eye for beauty, Alistair."
"I have an eye for valuable things," Alistair corrected. He looked at Julian. "Wouldn't you agree, Julian? Some things are just worth the investment."
The lunch was a torture chamber. They talked about zoning laws and tech permits, but every word felt like a hidden attack.
Alistair kept asking me to do things— take notes, hand him files, pour his drinks. Each time I moved, I could see Julian's eyes burning with a mix of jealousy and shame.
"So, Maddy," Julian said suddenly, interrupting the official. "How does it feel to work for someone you once called a dead-end?"
My fork clattered against my plate. I looked at Alistair. His face didn't change, but his jaw tightened.
"Julian, please. This is not the time," I whispered.
"No really," Julian continued. He was drunk, and the wine had made him bold. "Tell our friend here the story. About how you left Alistair because he couldn't afford to buy you a real diamond. And here you are, begging him for a paycheck."
I felt the tears stinging my eyes. I wanted to run or disappear. Alistair was sitting there, watching me. Perhaps he was waiting to see how I would react.
I took a deep breath. "I'm here to work, Mr. Sterling. My past choices are mine, but right now I'm earning a living. That's none of your business."
Julian blinked, caught off guard. Alistair gave me a thumbs-up as a sign of approval.
"Your past is my business as long as you're wearing my ring!" Julian hissed.
"Actually," Alistair said, standing up. He picked up his wine glass and swirled the red liquid. "I think the ring is the only thing she has left, Julian. And if I remembered correctly, your family's assets are currently under audit, aren't they?"
Julian's face went white. "How do you—"
"I told you," Alistair's voice dropped into a whisper that carried across the table. "I do my research, and by the end of the month, that ring will be the most expensive thing you still own."
He stood up, grabbing his jacket. "We're done here, Madeline let's go."
I scrambled up to my feet. I didn't even look back at Julian.
Getting to the car, the air conditioner hit my face finally let a single tear fall.
Alistair's eyes softened for just a second before hardening again. He reached out regardless to wipe the tears away with his thumb.
"Don't cry. It makes you look weak. This could make me fire you."
"Why are you doing this, Alistair?" I asked. "Why are you helping me and hurting me at the same time?"
He leaned in, his breath hot against my ear. "Because I haven't decided which one I enjoy more yet."
As the car drove off, I received an email notification.
From: Thorne Enterprises HR
Subject: Contract Addendum
"Per Mr. Thorne's request, your contract now includes a residential clause. You're required to move into the Thorne Estate by tomorrow morning for security purposes."
Move in? I looked at Alistair, and he was already back on his phone, acting like I didn't exist.