Chapter 5
“Y-Yes, that’s right. She hasn’t called, and I can’t reach her either. Maybe she’s blocked me.”
Damien dropped his utensils and stormed away, his face dark. Rosetta watched him go, exasperated. She’d miscalculated; Damien remained easily angered by Autumn’s actions. She’d hoped Autumn would prolong the silence, but now regretted it. Even as an observer, she sensed Damien responded better to gentleness than resistance. Autumn, of all people, should have known this. Playing hard-to-get from the start was a mistake. Her tactic now complicated things for Rosetta, too. How annoying.
At the office, after his morning meeting, Damien’s secretary entered with a gift bag. Inside was a plain ring. Barry had mentioned Autumn selling her wedding ring and visiting another jeweler. So, she disappeared for two days, only to give him this? He imagined she'd soon arrive with a lunchbox as well. Damien frowned, closed the box, and set it aside, returning to work. Later, he called Scott, his voice cold. “Don’t let Autumn into the company today!” He disliked Autumn’s games. After hanging up, he tossed the ring box in the trash.
Meanwhile, it being Monday, Autumn arrived at her desk on time. After her marriage, she hadn’t immediately returned to work. However, during a family gathering without Hank present, Damien’s mother, Linda, publicly criticized her. Linda claimed Autumn was a freeloader, unable to conceive, and negligent in caring for Damien; she was ashamed to mention her daughter-in-law to friends. Damien was present but offered no defense, allowing Linda to verbally attack Autumn. That night, Autumn submitted a job application—not to Caldwell Group, but Westgate Group. Though less than five years old, Westgate was valued at over a trillion dollars. Even their secretarial roles demanded top university graduates. Autumn, a graduate of Averpark University, easily met the requirements. Her computer science degree qualified her for R&D, but those positions demanded long hours and weekend work, leaving no time for Damien. She chose a less demanding administrative role, becoming a secretary in the CEO’s office. Hank urged her to join Caldwell Group, suggesting it would be less stressful, but Linda’s dislike made Caldwell a less desirable option. Working there would only invite more criticism and accusations of gold-digging. At Westgate, she'd avoid such problems. Autumn had drafted a resignation letter last week due to her pregnancy but had no intention of submitting it. To rewrite her thesis, she needed access to current industry developments, which Westgate provided. Her light workload also allowed ample time for her thesis.
Her coworker asked, “Autumn, you didn’t bring a lunchbox today?” Autumn often brought carefully prepared lunches to work, only to leave with them at noon. No one knew their destination. They were for Damien. After his social drinking, she’d prepare nourishing meals; it would have been simpler if Damien brought his own, but he found even simple tasks bothersome. So, Autumn delivered his food by taxi during her lunch break. Fortunately, the distance was manageable. Autumn simply said, “I don’t feel like making lunch anymore.” It was no longer necessary.
Della Coffrey, the head of the secretarial office, burst in, announcing, “Our CEO returns next Monday. We need to compile and organize documents from all departments for review.” She tapped a desk. “Get moving, everyone!” Westgate’s recent growth was phenomenal; however, its founder remained a mystery. He was always overseas, with the COO, Robin Pieck, overseeing daily operations. Autumn had never met the person who truly controlled the company. After the initial shock and excitement, everyone plunged into their work.
Back at Caldwell Group, a woman entered Damien’s office without an appointment. Usually appointments were required, but this woman's name wasn’t on the list. Scott personally escorted her and closed the door behind them. This special treatment shocked the secretarial staff. “Who was that woman? She’s stunning and elegant, like a movie star.” “Mr. Caldwell hates unplanned meetings. It’s unusual for him to break protocol for a woman.”
“Mr. Caldwell always keeps his distance from women. In all my years here, I’ve never seen him alone with a woman in his office.” Speculation began. “Do you think she’s the future Mrs. Caldwell?” Damien kept his marriage secret, known only to a close circle. He maintained a clean image, devoid of scandals. His preferential treatment of this woman was noticeable, fueling the theory she might become his wife.
Inside the office, seeing Emilia, Damien set aside his documents. Emilia leaned forward, her hands on his desk, examining his bare finger. She asked, “Didn’t you receive the ring?” Damien froze. “That was from you?” So, it wasn’t from Autumn?
“I promised a meal but had to cancel due to Professor Huffman, so I got you a gift.” She showed her ring finger. “This brand lacks men’s rings. The only decent one was a matching piece to mine, a couple’s set. I’m wearing mine for fun; I chose yours because it’s nice. You don’t mind, right?” She knew he wouldn't. Damien retrieved the ring box from the trash. His earlier disgust vanished as he examined it. Emilia looked awkward. “You threw it away?” Damien, understanding her thoughts, opened the box, put the ring on his finger, his gaze softening. “I didn’t know it was from you.” Emilia relaxed. Barry had said Damien only wore his wedding ring when necessary, the reason being obvious.
Damien asked, “Are you mad?” Emilia shook her head. “I’m not. I know you don’t hate the ring.” It was someone else. “Do you like it?” “It’s nice.” Damien asked, “What were you busy with yesterday?” “Professor Huffman’s project hit a snag. I spent the night searching for references, with no luck. Luckily, a fellow graduate has a company working with this technology; I’ll ask for help.” That company’s owner was Olivia, a younger Averpark graduate. Connecting with her should be easy.
Chapter 6
Damien remarked, “You really are exceptional.” Emilia saw admiration in his eyes, as expected. With Caldwell Group working with Luther's laboratory, any success would benefit Caldwell. Emilia had returned with one goal: to lead a technological breakthrough. She believed she could. This wasn’t an era where sweetness and coyness won hearts; capable women attracted attention, and Emilia was determined to be one.
Autumn had been busy. During a coffee break, she got an extra cup for her coworker. Yvonne Dunn, Damien’s secretary—their only contact being Autumn's inquiry about Damien’s schedule—called. Although Autumn avoided Damien's associates, Yvonne seemed kind. Hesitantly, she answered.
“Autumn, are you okay?” Yvonne whispered. “I’m fine.” Autumn was unsure why. Yvonne said worriedly, “Mr. Caldwell showed a woman around; it caused a stir, and executives see her as the future Mrs. Caldwell… I didn’t know if you knew. Her name is Emilia—” Yvonne’s voice cut off, followed by a gasp. “M-Mr. Keller… I…” She’d been hiding, unaware Scott approached.
Scott snatched the phone, glancing at the screen and frowning. “Asking about Mr. Caldwell’s schedule again?” Seeing Damien and Emilia behind Scott, Yvonne froze. Without waiting for a response, Scott reported coldly, “Mr. Caldwell, it’s Autumn. She’s asking about your schedule again.” He didn’t hang up.
Autumn’s brow furrowed. Ignoring Scott’s false accusation, she was about to hang up when Damien’s cold voice sounded. “Ignore her.” This was typical Damien; she wasn’t surprised, but disliked his assumptions and misunderstandings. The old Autumn would have explained; she'd feared his misunderstanding and anger. Now divorced, she didn't worry about his mood or his actions with Emilia.
Yet, Damien cruelly snapped, “You don’t need to come to work tomorrow!” Autumn was stunned. Was he firing Yvonne? Yes. After Autumn's first contact with Yvonne, Damien had tried to fire her. Autumn had begged him to keep Yvonne, which he did, warning it couldn’t happen again. It hadn't. He never made exceptions for her.