He reached out for a handshake, but I directly ignored him, my eyes fixed on the ring on his hand and said, "I ordered a custom ring but haven't picked it up yet. It looks remarkably similar to the one you're wearing, funny how our tastes align."

Hearing my sarcastic remark, Kieran forced an awkward smile.

Kate subtly stepped between us, her voice slightly shaky, "Kieran thought the ring looked nice, so I let him wear it for fun. When I received it, I didn't think too much. I'll have him take it off right now."

I let out a mocking laugh and then applauded, "Well done. A ring I spent a month designing, I didn't even get to wear it and you've already given it away."

Seeing my grim expression, Kieran fumbled nervously and kept apologizing in a submissive tone, "Mr. Brolin, please don't be upset. This isn't Kate's fault. It's my fault for being playful. I'll take it off right now and return it to you."

The more nervous he got, the harder it became to remove the ring. He was so desperate that he was nearly in tears. Under the gaze of the crowd, I ended up looking like a bully picking on someone weaker.

I asked him, "Do you not understand what a ring symbolizes? When you put that ring on, didn't you notice the engraving and read what it says?"

Under my string of questions, Kieran's face flushed red as he struggled to take off the ring. His frantic attempts only drew more attention.

Kate glanced around and, with no other choice, pulled me aside to a secluded spot.

She anxiously shook my hand, her tone full of flattery, "Alec, are you jealous? Don't misunderstand. Kieran is just my assistant."

I sneered coldly, "Assistant? An assistant with a monthly salary higher than a manager's? Decked out in designer brands, buying a supercar within three months of joining the company, what kind of assistant lives this extravagantly?"

"I know his background very well. He's just a rural college graduate you brought into the company not long after he graduated. I've told you before, I can't tolerate even a grain of sand in my eyes. You may not love me, but betrayal is off-limits," I said.

Seeing my anger, Kate turned pale, her voice trembling as she explained, "There's really nothing between me and him. He's ambitious and hardworking, so I rewarded him. The high salary is just to motivate him, that's all."

I stared deeply into her dark eyes, trying to discern if what she said was true.