But the man laughed heartily, his eyes filled with a lecherous light. "That's more like it! More, more..."
Since I walked in, James hadn't said a word, sitting in the corner with a heavy aura. Emily, on the other hand, played the role of the hostess. Seeing me like this, she didn't back down. "Since Ms. King has made it clear that she's against us, let's see what we can each do."
With that, she downed her drink.
A snide voice came from beside me. "What kind of skills do you have."
Emily gave the man a seductive smile, vibrant and bold, but all I saw was her shattered pride.
The company was in a dire situation. She stood by James' side, capable and humble.
The three of us had grown up together, and unlike my hidden feelings, she openly loved James for many years. She used to call me James' shadow and saw me as a rival, even giving up her promising future to be his secretary.
She sacrificed a lot for James. They were intimate lovers and business partners.
I should feel happy that he found someone like her, but seeing his cold gaze, my heart still shattered into pieces.
The one standing by his side could never be me.
So, James, don't look back. You must always hate me.
Allowing the man beside me to pull me into his arms, I put on a fawning smile, presenting a completely different image from what James remembered. "Come, Bob, let me toast you again."
James' eyes remained icy, not even glancing at me.
After drinking countless glasses, the man's hand began to roam over my arm. I endured the disgust, trying to break free.
But I felt dizzy, and my stomach started to ache.
Suddenly, James' unsteady figure appeared in my line of sight. He yanked me out of the man's embrace. "Olivia!"
The room fell silent, whispers starting again. The man beside me, now angry, dropped his friendly disguise. "James, what do you mean by this?"
Before he could finish, James' rough handling made my stomach churn. I rushed out to the restroom and vomited until I was dizzy.
The surging alcohol continuously assaulted my brain, causing my long-hidden emotions to collapse.
After vomiting for a while, my heart began to ache.
When I wiped away my tears and walked out of the restroom, James was standing at the door, with Emily behind him, his coat draped over her arm.
It was just like on my 22nd birthday, with them standing in front of me.
James didn't know that all my birthday wishes over the years had been about him.