Chapter 4

Noah neither talked to me nor entered my office for the rest of the day.

It was not until I finished delivering the documents and passed by the elevator lobby that I saw Jessie carrying her bag and leaving with Noah.

"I’m about to start an almost 24-hour campaign. Noah, you should reward me."

She froze for a moment when she saw me, but she quickly returned to her usual demeanor. "Lola, let's go to the Arctic to see whales after we're done with this campaign."

Noah walked over and pinned my loose hair behind my ear. "Lola, go home after you're done. Since the wedding photos haven't been taken, let's postpone the wedding. We can plan it properly again when we get back from our vacation."

Then, the elevator door opened with a ding.

Jessie glanced at the still available elevator. "We gotta go."

They did not need my reply. In their eyes, I could cry, make a scene, and give them the cold shoulder, but I would eventually forget everything.

This time, I was leaving for real.

Back in the office, I handed over the documents to my team members.

The schedule, advertising budget, supplier contact information... It was so detailed that whoever took over could not make a mistake.

When I reached the company exit, Noah suddenly texted me.

Noah: [Lola, today marks our 20th anniversary of knowing each other.]

Noah: [I want to clarify the recent misunderstandings.]

Noah: [I've reserved a table at that restaurant you've always wanted to go to. It's just the two of us. I'll see you there.]

He remembered our 20th anniversary.

I put the phone back in my bag and grazed against something cool.

It was the emerald bracelet Noah's mother gave me as a family heirloom. I took it off and forgot to return it to him as I got caught up with work.

I would go see him. After all, I should hand such a valuable item back to him in person.

Arriving at the agreed-upon hotel, a waiter took my suitcase at the entrance, and I headed toward the restaurant on the upper floor with a panoramic view of the city.

Just as I pushed open the door, a shower of confetti rained down with a bang.

The balloon wall prominently displayed: [Wishing you a phenomenal campaign! Long live our 20-year friendship!]

Jessie wore a mermaid gown as she stood on stage. "Mr. Lucas, Ms. Carson, and I grew up together. Without them, I would not be here today."

A ringing sensation shot through my ears as my body instinctively recoiled, only to be pressed down by a pair of large hands. "Surprised? After Jessie finishes speaking, I'll announce to the entire company that you're my fiancée. That way, no one will gossip behind our backs anymore."

I stared at him in disbelief. "You said it was our 20th anniversary and that it would be just the two of us."

He lowered his head and gently kissed the top of my head. "Jessie texted you with my phone. Didn't she make it clear? It's a 20th anniversary celebration—our 20th anniversary as a trio."

I suddenly felt like a joke standing there.

After Jessie finished speaking, she called Noah onto the stage.

He strode toward her.

Jason, standing nearby, immediately came over. He looked aggrieved. "Lola, we didn't mean to hide this from you. We thought it was just a kickoff party for Jessie. Everyone thought you were leaving and didn't want to upset you, so we didn't say anything."

Watching Noah's back, I decided I was done waiting for him to look back. I handed Jason the velvet bag containing the emerald bracelet. "Give this to Mr. Lucas later."

I hurried outside.

Before the elevator doors closed, I heard Noah's hearty laugh. "Next, please welcome my fiancée, Lola Carson."

Applause erupted, but the spotlight could not find the person it was supposed to be focusing on.

Noah's smile slowly froze.

The next second, his phone suddenly started vibrating incessantly.