Her Heart’s Not Yours Anymore

Kylie Cooper was Jonathan Sinclair's lover for three years. After they broke up, she became his executive assistant. Jonathan treated her coldly and mocked her with sarcasm. Kylie said, "You used me as a stand-in before. Now that she's back, please let me go." However, Jonathan was confused. "A stand-in? I've only ever loved you..." Chapter 1 "Now that you're here, get to work. Change into your uniform and head straight to V8." Kylie Cooper took the uniform from Lily Smith and turned toward the dressing room. Lily sized her up as she walked away. It had been over three years since they last met, and the young woman had only become more enchanting with time. What surprised Lily, though, was that Kylie was willing to return to this line of work. This was a newly opened high-end club in the city of Jorundale. Kylie had taken a job here as a hostess, serving drinks and taking song requests in private rooms for the clients. The club catered to the city's elite—young, rich men who spent big. The tips they gave could be pretty substantial. Kylie was short on cash, and this hostess job seemed like a decent part-time gig. The club's uniform was daring and borderline revealing—tight, low-cut shirts paired with skirts that barely reached the tops of her thighs. One wrong move, and it was easy for everything underneath to show. Looking at her own reflection in the mirror, Kylie felt a twinge of self-consciousness. She instinctively tugged the skirt down a bit, adjusting the loose strands of hair falling in front of her face. Then, she made her way to the V8 room. V8 was the largest private room in the club. Kylie opened the door and was immediately hit by a mix of cigar smoke and expensive perfume—an atmosphere of wealth and desire. It was Samuel Quinton's birthday celebration tonight, and his family was a prominent name in Jorundale. Naturally, the event was lavish, attended by high society figures and rising stars from the entertainment world. Kylie silently crouched beside the guests, refilling drinks one by one. She squatted slowly, one hand holding the bottle, the other instinctively pressing against her chest. Suddenly, the door to the room swung open. The chatter in the room quieted. Samuel, the birthday boy, stood up from the sofa and walked to the door to greet the newcomer. "Bro, you're finally here!" Samuel called. "Had some work at the company," came the reply. Kylie's hand trembled slightly as she poured. With her back to the door, she hadn't seen who had entered, but the voice was unmistakable. "See? I didn't dare cut the cake until you got here," Samuel added, gesturing to a massive five-layer cake in the center of the room. The man chuckled softly before walking in. "It's Jonathan Sinclair. Mr. Sinclair has arrived," someone murmured. The others quickly rose to their feet, giving Jonathan a respectful seat at the center of the room. Even though it was Samuel's birthday, Jonathan was given the prime spot. Kylie stood up too, lowering her head and stepping into the shadows near the wall. Jonathan leaned back on the sofa, his posture relaxed. But when his eyes landed on Kylie, his brow furrowed slightly, a hint of displeasure crossing his face. Noticing the tension, Samuel assumed it was a dissatisfaction with the service. He quickly tapped his fingers on the glass tabletop and turned to Kylie. "Why aren't you serving Mr. Sinclair his drink yet?" Kylie hadn't expected to run into Jonathan here. She kept her head lowered and refused to look up, then replied in a soft voice, "The bottle's empty. I'll get a new one." With that, she hurriedly backed out of the room, silently praying that Jonathan hadn't recognized her. But, of course, she didn't escape Jonathan's sharp gaze. Jonathan stood and followed her out of the room, blocking her path in the hallway. "What's this? It's only been a few days, and you're pretending not to know me already?" His eyes were dark, his words laced with contempt. Kylie turned her face away and answered quietly, "Mr. Sinclair, what a... coincidence." In front of him, she felt like a scared rabbit. Her curves were only more accentuated by the tight uniform, her chest almost spilling out of the fabric. Jonathan's mind flashed back to their time together in bed—her innocence paired with desire, a combination that made his heart tighten. But then, he remembered that she had thrown herself into the nightlife again. It had barely been a week since they had parted ways, and his anger flared up. "Kylie, is this how low you've fallen? You couldn't wait to come here and find another sugar daddy?" Kylie was taken aback. Before she could respond, Jonathan grabbed her wrist and slammed her against the hallway wall. "Who are you planning to seduce tonight?" His eyes were dark with menace. "I don't know what you're talking about," Kylie struggled to push him away, but Jonathan only held her tighter. He leaned in close to her ear, his voice dangerously low. "I won't allow it." Kylie could feel the warmth of his breath on her skin, his fingers grazing her. Just like the foreplay they used to share, it made her shiver. They had already broken up. Jonathan had no right to interfere in her life. Anger rose in Kylie, and she turned to face him, meeting his intense gaze. "You have no right to control me. Let go of me." Jonathan sneered and roughly dragged her into an empty room nearby. With a sharp click, he locked the door behind them. Chapter 2 Kylie took a nervous step back until her back hit the cold wall. "Jonathan, what are you doing?" Her voice trembled, and deep down, she knew this man had enough power to do whatever he wanted in this place. Jonathan's voice was low and rich, but his eyes were dark. It was as though they could swallow her whole. His fingers slowly slid down her cheek, lightly cupping her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Kylie, I'll say it again. I won't allow my woman to be in a place like this." The touch was both familiar and alien, sending a shiver through Kylie's body. She stiffened instinctively, her cheeks flushing slightly. But the humiliation of being discarded made her resist him even more. "I'm not your woman anymore. Have you forgotten? You abandoned me last week." Jonathan paused, taken aback by her words. For a moment, he was speechless. But soon enough, his desire flared again, and his lips curled into a smirk. "Not my woman? I'll make you mine right now!" With that, Jonathan pulled her close, wrapping his arm around her waist and pushing her down onto the sofa. His other hand slid down her bottom, and without warning, he hoisted her thigh up. Kylie's body jerked in response, her eyes widening as she stared at Jonathan, memories of their first night together flooding back—the same nightclub, the same private room, three years ago. Jonathan gripped her chin tighter, bending down to bite her lips. His movements were rough, aggressive, as though he was claiming her once more. "Let go of me!" Kylie fought with all her strength, pushing against him. But Jonathan wasn't relenting. His lips moved to her neck, kissing and biting as his long, lean hand slid beneath her skirt. In a panic, Kylie grabbed the small cup from the coffee table beside the sofa and swung it at Jonathan's head. He staggered back, stunned, his forehead swelling immediately with a dark bruise as blood began to seep from the cut. Kylie was breathless and terrified, and she didn't hesitate. She scrambled to her feet, rushing to the door and bolting out of the room. Once outside, she collided with Lily, who was walking by. "What's going on? Why the rush?" Kylie mumbled quickly, trying to hide her fear. "The guest had too much to drink. I'm fine. I just need to clean up." Lily gave her a suspicious look. This room didn't have a client tonight. Her suspicion grew as she noticed Jonathan stepping out of the room, his hand pressed to his head. His forehead was already swelling and bleeding. "Mr. Sinclair... a-are you alright?" Lily immediately understood that Kylie had crossed a line with Jonathan. Jonathan was someone no one could afford to offend. If Kylie had truly angered him, life in this place would become unbearable for her. In the dressing room, Kylie stared at her reflection in the mirror, her disheveled appearance starkly evident. The love bite on her neck stood out, a mark of what had just happened. Jonathan had treated her like that, but even as he did, she couldn't help but notice that she had soaked through her underwear. Jonathan was her first. Over the past three years, every encounter with him had been intense, each time a dizzying mixture of pleasure and submission. Her body had long been accustomed to his touch. Even in that moment of aggression, she had found herself wanting to respond in kind. But now, all she felt was frustration and anger. Lily pushed the door open, entering the room with a sympathetic expression. "You need to apologize to Mr. Sinclair," she urged, her voice low. "Whatever happened earlier, you need to make it right. Those people... they're not people we can afford to anger." Kylie knew the reality. The men in that room, especially Jonathan, were the elites of Jorundale. Offending any of them would end badly for her, but angering someone as influential as Jonathan? That was a disaster waiting to happen. She didn't want to make things harder for Lily, and she couldn't afford to lose this high-paying part-time job. Her brother, Kevin Cooper, was in the hospital, and she still had to pay his medical bills every month. The thought made her grit her teeth in determination. "I got it." Kylie nodded resolutely. She returned to V8, where she found Jonathan already sitting in the center of the sofa. Samuel was beside him, speaking to him. He lounged with one arm draped around an up-and-coming starlet and the other swirling a glass of whiskey. The woman was draped over him like a snake, her hands freely roaming across his chest. Jonathan didn't seem to mind, letting her touch him without protest. The bandage on Jonathan's forehead stood out, the white patch stark against his skin. His shirt collar revealed a faint trace of lipstick, clearly from when Kylie had struggled earlier. As soon as Jonathan saw Kylie, his attractive eyes filled with an edge of anger. The room grew silent. Earlier, everyone was talking about who had the nerve to offend Jonathan, and it turned out to be a hostess. Now, everyone was waiting to see what Jonathan would do to this hostess who had dared to cross him. Suddenly, someone from behind shoved Kylie roughly. Chapter 3 Kylie stumbled forward, her high heels twisting awkwardly as her ankle gave way. She crashed to the ground, falling to her knees with a loud "thud". A sharp pain shot through her knees. Instinctively, she reached out to steady herself, her palms pressing against the cold floor. Her hair, which had been carefully styled, now spilled messily around her face, blocking her view. At that moment, her forehead was less than five inches from Jonathan's custom Italian leather shoes. The woman in Jonathan's lap let out a high-pitched scream, her hands clutching at him as she flung herself into his chest. "Mr. Sinclair! That scared me!" However, Jonathan remained calm and unbothered. He raised one foot, gently pressing the toe of his shoe under Kylie's chin, lifting her face to meet his. His gaze was sharp, his words dripping with disdain. "Is this how you apologize?" Jonathan had always been aloof, never one to stoop to such levels with others. It was clear he was still angry. Samuel could tell, and he couldn't help but scoff. "Was it you? You're the one who dared to hurt Mr. Sinclair?" With that, Samuel stepped forward, raising his hand and patting Kylie lightly on the cheek. Kylie took a deep breath, trying to calm herself before speaking in a soft voice. "Mr. Sinclair, I'm sorry for offending you earlier. I truly apologize." Samuel sneered, then grabbed a bottle of whiskey from the table, opening it with a flourish before holding it up to Kylie's lips. "An apology requires sincerity, doesn't it?" Kylie hesitated, glancing down at the bottle before her. She slowly took it from him, and still kneeling, she poured whiskey into Jonathan's glass. Once again, she softly said, "Mr. Sinclair, I'm sorry. Please forgive me." Jonathan eyed the glass in his hand, swirling the liquid slowly. After a moment, he raised his hand and poured the entire contents over Kylie's head. The cold liquid soaked through her hair, trickling down her scalp, flowing down her neck, and dripping into her blouse. "Drink the whole bottle," Jonathan's cold voice echoed above her. Kylie hadn't expected him to be so harsh. Fear tightened in her chest, but she knew that refusing him would only make things worse. She looked up at him, pleading silently with her eyes, hoping for mercy. But Jonathan showed no signs of yielding. His eyes were as cold as his tone, his focus unwavering as he shook his glass. The woman sitting on Jonathan's lap was a rising star, and she looked increasingly irritated. Tonight had been her chance to climb the social ladder, and she had already made herself comfortable in Jonathan's lap. But this interruption had completely ruined her moment. Without a word, she stood up and slapped Kylie across the face, her voice sharp as she commanded, "Asking you to drink was a courtesy. Don't push your luck!" Jonathan's hand trembled slightly around his glass, and a flicker of something that could almost be mistaken for regret surged in his chest. Kylie's face was burning from the slap, and she had no choice but to comply. She lifted the bottle with respect, holding it to her lips as she drank deeply, tilting her head back. The smooth curve of her neck was visible as she swallowed, the movement subtle but alluring. The faint marks Jonathan had left on her skin earlier seemed to glow under the light. The sharp sting of the whiskey hit Kylie hard, leaving her feeling nauseous. She swallowed it down, fighting the urge to gag. Then, in a hoarse voice, she said again, "Mr. Sinclair, please forgive me." Jonathan remained silent, his expression cold and unreadable. Kylie had been with him for three years without ever questioning him. She had never dared to oppose him. Jonathan hadn't anticipated that she would actually hurt him today. He simply wanted to teach her a lesson and make sure she remembered who held the power. The dim, flickering lights cast an almost seductive glow on Kylie's skin, her chest rising and falling with each breath, the curve of her body impossible to ignore. She was undeniably beautiful, a perfect vision of temptation. Samuel couldn't help but swallow, feeling a twinge of sympathy. He turned to Jonathan, his voice softer than before. "Bro, this girl's probably new. She doesn't know the rules. A little lesson should be enough, right? It's my birthday, after all. Look, the cake still isn't cut. Let's not let this spoil the mood." He glanced at Jonathan, waiting for a response. Jonathan remained silent, giving no objection, which seemed like a silent agreement to Samuel's words. "Why don't you quickly thank Mr. Sinclair? He won't hold today's incident against you," Samuel said to Kylie. Kylie lowered her gaze, her long lashes shadowing her face, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you, Mr. Sinclair. Thank you, Mr. Quinton." The woman still draped over Jonathan's lap rolled her eyes and impatiently said, "Hurry up and get lost." Kylie rose, her knees already bruised from the prolonged kneeling. With her head bowed, she quickly exited the room. Chapter 4 Jonathan furrowed his brow and grabbed the restless hand of the woman next to him, coldly tossing it aside. Once she was out of the room, Kylie finally relaxed. She had drunk too much earlier, and now her head was spinning. She rushed to the restroom, sticking her finger down her throat and vomiting for a while. The sharp, bitter taste of liquor lingered in her mouth. She splashed cold water on her face, the sting from the slaps still burning her cheeks. As she walked out of the restroom, Kylie bumped into a man coming from the other way. A strong scent of cigars hit her, and she looked up to see Samuel. Kylie immediately sensed something was wrong. Was Samuel here to cause trouble for her again? "Sorry, Mr. Quinton," Kylie quickly apologized and tried to move away, but Samuel placed his hand on the door, trapping her. "Coco?" Samuel looked at the name tag on her chest and read it aloud with a teasing tone, but his gaze was burning, fixed on Kylie's chest. Samuel was as tall as Jonathan, probably about 5 feet 11 inches. With that height difference, he could easily look down on Kylie's curvy figure. Kylie could feel the desire in Samuel's eyes. She quickly covered her chest with her hands, terrified. Samuel chuckled, pried her hands apart, and stuffed a stack of cash between her breasts. "What if you came with me?" Samuel said, and Kylie was obviously surprised at his words. "Think about it." He smirked and released her. Once Samuel left, Kylie sighed in relief. Did rich men always like women like her? She pulled out the cash from her chest, pondering. In the distance, a tall, slender figure passed by. Kylie didn't know, but Jonathan had witnessed everything that had just happened. A man with an intense possessive streak, Jonathan's heart was now a mix of conflicting emotions. When Jonathan returned to the V8 room from the restroom, his face was dark. Samuel tried to pull him into cutting the cake together, but Jonathan shook him off. Samuel felt awkward, completely unaware that his teasing of Kylie earlier had crossed Jonathan's line. Jonathan's mind was consumed with thoughts of Kylie's vulnerable, pitiable expression. He regretted it a little, but he couldn't bring himself to accept the way she had acted. He had always seen her as nothing more than an obedient lover, so why did he suddenly seem to care about her today? Feeling restless and increasingly irritated, he didn't stay long before getting up and leaving. The cake hadn't even been cut, but Jonathan was already gone. That left Samuel feeling a bit embarrassed. This wasn't the first time Jonathan had embarrassed Samuel in public. But what could he do? Jonathan was Samuel's cousin, after all. Samuel gritted his teeth and endured it. - A black luxury car was already waiting at the entrance of the club. As soon as Jonathan stepped outside, his assistant, Michael Lester, hurried to open the car door for him. Jonathan said nothing, his face still grim. After a long pause, he finally spoke to Michael. "I don't want Kylie showing up here again." "Understood," Michael replied immediately. Jonathan massaged his temple with his long fingers and added, "And that starlet, whatever her name was—make sure she never gets another role." Michael was momentarily stunned but quickly caught on and answered, "Got it." However, Michael was inwardly confused. What rising star? Who was that? Either way, it didn't matter who it was. If they offended Jonathan, they wouldn't last long in the industry. Once Jonathan got into the car, Michael handed him a clean shirt. As Jonathan removed the alcohol-stained shirt in the spacious backseat, his eyes landed on the lipstick stain at the collar. He frowned slightly, a surge of jealousy rising within him. He didn't want to show it too obviously, but the strong sense of possessiveness was impossible to ignore. Looking out the window for a long time, Jonathan finally spoke coldly. "Drive." Chapter 5 On the other side, Lily received a call. With a troubled expression, she relayed the message to Kylie. "Kylie, you don't need to come in tomorrow." "Why? Is it because of Jonathan?" Kylie was furious. Even though she had hurt Jonathan tonight, it was because he had forced her into it in the first place. Plus, she had already apologized. How could Jonathan be so ruthless? Rich people really did whatever they wanted. Without this part-time job, her monthly income would be reduced. What would she do about her brother's medical bills? Kylie couldn't accept it. She thought if she couldn't work at this place, she could find another. Jonathan couldn't possibly blacklist her from every club in Jorundale, could he? Lily seemed to guess what Kylie was thinking. With a tone of regret, she tried to convince her. "I'm afraid you'll have trouble finding another job at a different nightclub. Maybe it's time to switch careers." Kylie felt helpless. Clearly, she was the one who had been abandoned by Jonathan. So, how did working a part-time job at the nightclub upset him again? Jonathan said he didn't want his woman working at nightclubs. Did that mean he still cared for her? But Jonathan's actions tonight had clearly shown his disgust and disregard for her. He even made her drink an entire bottle of whiskey, knowing she couldn't handle it... At that thought, Kylie felt a lump in her throat. She had been Jonathan's secret lover for three years, and she had been nothing more than his plaything. Their dates always took place at his villa. On the bed, on the couch, in the bathtub—he seemed to never tire, always insatiable. What Jonathan cared about was just her body. Once he was bored, he discarded her without a second thought. That day had been Kylie's birthday. Jonathan had messaged her, asking her to come to the villa that night. She thought maybe he was planning a surprise for her, but the chances of that were slim. Still, Kylie couldn't help but feel excited. But when she arrived at the villa, Jonathan was nowhere to be found. He had always been punctual in the past. But this time, Kylie waited for a long time. Her makeup had smudged, and still, there was no sign of him. Finally, after what felt like ages, the door of the villa opened. However, it wasn't Jonathan who walked in. It was Michael. "Sorry, Ms. Cooper. Mr. Sinclair asked me to take you home." Kylie felt a pang of disappointment, but she obediently followed Michael into the car. When she got home, Kylie stared at her phone, waiting for Jonathan's call. She couldn't shake the feeling that he would explain his absence. But in the end, what Kylie received from Jonathan was a short, cold message, [You don't have to come over anymore.] She clearly remembered the emptiness she felt as soon as she read those words. She mustered up the courage several times to call him, wanting to ask Jonathan why. But every time she dialed his number, she hesitated and hung up. Later, when she finally called him, all she heard on the other end was, "The number you have dialed is temporarily unavailable." Kylie knew that she was just his kept woman. Over the years, she had taken plenty of money from him, and their arrangement had always been mutually beneficial. Why should she care about a few comforting words or some baseless explanation from him? He must have just gotten bored. For rich, spoiled guys like him, it was nothing new. Kylie tried to console herself. Her relationship with Jonathan had always been about simple, physical attraction, nothing more. If she tried to make it about love, it just didn't feel right. So, she sent him a simple reply, [Okay.] Then, she cried for Jonathan all night. During the day, Kylie worked at the Jorundale Real Estate Development Group. It was a company that handled numerous commercial and residential projects. As soon as she arrived at the office this morning, her colleague, Lana Lewis, came over to gossip. "Did you hear? We're getting a new CEO!" "A new CEO?" Kylie was confused. "You really don't keep up with what's happening with the higher-ups, huh?" With a sigh, Lana continued to explain. "The shareholders have changed, and the Sinclair Group is now the major shareholder. They're sending a new CEO to manage us." Lana's face lit up with excitement as she spoke, practically glowing with anticipation. "Are you seriously swooning over the new CEO?" Kylie asked, opening her computer as she gave Lana a puzzled look. "Well, he's a total heartthrob! I bet no girl in the company will be able to resist him!" Lana clasped her hands together as if in prayer, her mind filled with a fantasy, as though she was already imagining the new CEO noticing her. Seeing Lana so dedicated to her admiration, Kylie couldn't help but feel curious, so she asked, "How handsome can he really be?" "Seriously, he's stunning! Wait a sec, I'll show you a picture." Lana quickly pulled out her phone and began searching for photos of the new CEO online. In less than three seconds, Lana handed the phone to Kylie. "Look, isn't he handsome? I'm calling him my new celebrity crush!" Kylie glanced at the phone screen, and the familiar face of the man caught her eye. His sharp nose, strong jawline, captivating eyes, thick dark hair—everything was so familiar to Kylie. Chapter 6 So the new CEO Lana had been talking about was Jonathan Sinclair! Kylie felt an immediate headache coming on. First, Jonathan caused her to lose her part-time job. And now, Jonathan had become her new boss. She had a feeling that Jonathan had come here to mess with her on purpose—how else could it be such a coincidence? Was her full-time job next? Would she be fired from here too? The thought made Kylie's heart race with panic. She got up and headed to the breakroom to get some water, hearing her coworkers discussing Jonathan along the way. "The new CEO is young and promising. I also heard he's still single!" "No way, I just saw online that he has a fiancee." "Really? Is it one of those rich family arranged marriages?" "Wow, being his bride must be amazing." When Kylie heard Jonathan had a fiancee, her brow furrowed. When had Jonathan gotten engaged? They had just broken up a week ago, and she hadn't heard anything about a fiancee in the past three years. Kylie's mind went blank for a moment, and she didn't even notice the water in her cup spilling over. The liquid pooled on the floor before she snapped out of her trance. Without hesitation, she grabbed her phone and typed "Jonathan fiancee" into the search bar. Soon, various news articles appeared on her screen. [Jonathan Sinclair's Mysterious Fiancee Spotted at Jorundale Airport] [Jonathan's Fiancee Is a Local Woman Returning From Overseas] Kylie clicked through the articles, all of which were dated on the same day as her birthday. And then she saw the picture of Jonathan's fiancee. Her name was Zoey Whitfield, and she was a woman of mixed heritage. What shocked Kylie even more was how much Zoey looked like her. They looked almost exactly the same! At that moment, everything clicked into place for Kylie. The trope of the "stand-in" from the novels had become her reality. She had been the stand-in. For three years, she had been nothing more than Zoey's substitute. That was why Jonathan had discarded her the night Zoey returned to the country. Of course, now that the real deal was back, what use did he have for the stand-in? Jonathan was Kylie's first love. Perhaps that was why she could never shake the complicated emotions she had for him. The thought of him touching her, of her being in his arms, made her heart ache with a bitter, unspoken pain. Perhaps he had always been imagining Zoey instead of her. In that instant, Kylie felt utterly foolish. Jonathan would never love her. How could she have ever believed that this man, so high above her, could have feelings for her? Kylie comforted herself. Since she had initially gone for the money, there was no point in talking about love. After all, one shouldn't be too greedy. Jonathan was just her sugar daddy, a passing figure in her life. He was never someone to spend her life with. Her brother was the only man in this world who truly mattered to her. Thoughts of Kevin, lying in the hospital bed, sent Kylie's mind spiraling back to three years ago. That accident had torn her family apart. Her apartment building had caught fire in the middle of the night. The entire family had been asleep when the fire broke out, and by the time they woke up, the flames had already spread. Kylie had screamed as she tried to escape, but the heat pushed her back. Kevin had rushed out immediately, holding her close to protect her without hesitation. They had pounded on their parents' door, but there was no response. With Kevin shielding her, Kylie had managed to escape the blaze. But he had run back in, trying to save their parents. By the time the firefighters arrived, the fire was already out of control. Kylie had watched in horror as her parents were carried out, their bodies lifeless. Meanwhile, Kevin had collapsed, unconscious from smoke inhalation and exhaustion. In an instant, she had lost both parents, and her brother was left in a coma. After their parents' death, the small family business they had owned had collapsed under the weight of debt from the fire. In one night, all the burdens of the family had fallen onto Kylie's shoulders. To cover Kevin's medical expenses and pay off the debts, Kylie had turned to working part-time at a nightclub. It was at the nightclub that she had met Jonathan—and become his lover. Chapter 7 "Kylie, what's wrong?" Lana's voice pulled Kylie out of her thoughts. "It's nothing." Kylie brushed the stray hairs from her forehead and forced a faint smile before adding, "Oh, by the way, I have something to take care of at noon, so I won't be joining you for lunch." Lana nodded. "Alright, but make sure you come back early. I heard the new CEO is coming for an inspection this afternoon." Kylie's eyes flickered slightly, and she only murmured a quiet acknowledgment before falling silent. - Kylie took a cab to the hospital. Kevin lay quietly on the bed, as peaceful as ever. His eyes were closed, and the light cast a soft shadow on his lashes. Aside from the prominent scars from the burns, he looked just like someone who was merely asleep. "Ms. Cooper, your brother's condition is very stable, don't worry," the nurse said, offering reassurance. Kylie came to the hospital every week, and every time, the doctors and nurses would say the same thing: "He's stable." She knew that these words were meant to comfort. However, they also seemed to extinguish the flickering hope that Kevin would wake up, just a little bit more each time. But Kylie believed, deep down, that her brother would wake up one day. He had to. She leaned down, gently stroking his hand, again and again, her eyes welling up with tears. Seeing her in this state, the nurse hesitated for a moment before gently interrupting, "Ms. Cooper, I'm sorry to bother you, but please don't forget to pay the fees before you leave." "Oh, right. I'll do that now." After paying, Kylie went to find her brother's attending doctor for an update. But when she opened the door to the doctor's office, she was taken aback. Sitting in the office was a face that was both familiar and foreign at the same time. Before Kylie could process it, the person spoke first. "Kylie." Kylie blinked, shocked and a bit in disbelief. "Nathan?" The man's delicate features held a youthful, innocent light, and he smiled warmly. "It's been a long time." "What are you doing here?" Nathan Kingsley pointed to the white coat he was wearing. "Maybe... I work here as a doctor?" Kylie froze for a moment, then quickly processed the situation. "So, now you're my brother's attending doctor?" "Yeah." Nathan adjusted his glasses, his smile still as pure and untroubled as ever. He was a star student at medical school, a year ahead of Kylie. Back in college, he was the perfect combination of handsome and brilliant. The two of them had been in the debate club together, but after Nathan went abroad for an exchange program, they lost touch. Later, when Kylie's family faced a crisis, she started working part-time at a nightclub and changed her phone number, severing contact with old classmates and friends. She never imagined she would run into Nathan here, of all places. The senior she had once known had returned from his studies abroad, now a doctor and her brother's attending physician. And here she was—having been someone else's lover for three years and achieving nothing in the end. Nathan's appearance stirred up old memories in Kylie. Her classmates from back then must be doing well now, living happy, fulfilling lives. As for her... Kylie snapped out of it quickly, forcing herself not to dwell on the past. She mustered a faint smile and asked Nathan, "What's the likelihood of my brother waking up?" Nathan adjusted his glasses, and his gaze through the lenses became somber. "Currently, the medical technology here in the country has limitations when it comes to treating those in deep comas." He paused for a moment before continuing, "If possible, I'd recommend considering taking your brother to the country of Altheria for treatment. Their research in neuroscience and coma recovery is much more advanced. The treatments are more cutting-edge, and he could receive a more thorough diagnosis and therapy, which would greatly improve his chances of waking up." Nathan's words brought Kylie a glimmer of hope, but it also felt like a heavy stone pressing down on her chest. If possible... So, that meant money. It all came down to money. Kylie clenched her fists, lowered her gaze, and sighed in defeat. Just then, her phone rang—it was Lana. Her voice on the other end sounded urgent. "Hey, Kylie, you need to come back right away. The new CEO is coming to inspect our department. Don't be late!" "Okay, I'll be right there." Kylie hung up, then stood up and prepared to say goodbye to Nathan. "I have to go, Dr. Kingsley. There's something happening at the company. We'll catch up next time." Before she could leave, Nathan grabbed her arm gently. "Kylie, if you need anything, don't hesitate to reach out to me." His words were soft but sincere, his eyes locked on hers with a tenderness that made her heart flutter. Kylie felt a bit dazed. She hummed an agreement before turning and quickly heading back to the company. Nathan watched her hurriedly leave, his eyes filled with heartache. Chapter 8 On the way back, Lana kept bombarding Kylie with messages, urging her not to be late. She stressed that if she was, the consequences would be serious. That only made Kylie more anxious. She kept urging the driver to go faster. Before long, the taxi pulled up in front of the company building. Hearing that the new CEO was about to arrive, the department heads were already lined up downstairs in formal attire, ready to welcome him. Seeing the scene, Kylie quickly lowered her head and hurried past. She reached out to press the elevator button— "Hey, what do you think you're doing?!" a security guard barked at her. "That's the CEO's private elevator!" Kylie was forced to use the regular elevator, but the floor indicator wasn't moving. Time was running out. Gritting her teeth, she made a decision—stairs it was! The finance department was on the 12th floor. If she ran, it would be faster than waiting for the elevator. Without hesitation, Kylie kicked off her heels and dashed into the stairwell. By the time she finally reached the office, she was completely out of breath. Climbing twelve flights of stairs was no joke—especially for someone like Kylie, who hardly exercised. She collapsed into her chair, reaching for her water bottle to take a sip, when Lana suddenly patted her on the shoulder and shrieked, "Kylie! Why are you barefoot?!" Startled, Kylie fumbled and knocked over her water bottle. The cold water drenched the front of her light blue blouse. She scrambled to grab some tissues, dabbing at the fabric. But before she could do much, Alex Hill, the Finance Department Manager, was already leading Jonathan into the office. As they entered, Alex was all smiles, bowing and scraping as he introduced the new CEO. The man behind him carried an air of dominance—his presence was sharp, his gaze intense. "Wow, he looks even better in person," Lana whispered excitedly. Kylie kept her head down as she stood behind her chair, hoping to avoid his attention. Jonathan strode closer. Even without looking up, she could feel the weight of his presence bearing down on her. A moment later, his cool, impassive voice rang out— "Ms. Cooper seems to have a lot of free time at work." Kylie froze. She had no idea what Jonathan's words meant, and Alex seemed just as confused. The man chuckled darkly, his tone growing sharper. "Ms. Cooper, since you have time to work part-time at the club at night, I imagine your days must be pretty free, huh?" Kylie bit her lip, a wave of hurt rising in her chest. Why was Jonathan singling her out like this? Even if he didn't love her, she hadn't done anything to offend him, had she? Well… except for that time when she had smashed something over his head. Okay. Now Kylie regretted it—she regretted being so impulsive and smashing the cup on him. He probably never had anyone treat him like that before. Maybe she really had offended him. "I'm sorry, Mr. Sinclair," she said quickly. "I've already quit the part-time job at the nightclub. I won't..." "Did you quit, or were you fired?" Jonathan cut in, pressing harder. "I was fired..." The exchange made the room go still. Everyone, except for Michael, was left with wide eyes and expressions of disbelief. Kylie gave up fighting back. She lowered her head even further, trying to shrink into herself. Jonathan's gaze flicked down to Kylie's damp blouse, now almost see-through and clinging to her chest. His eyes moved lower, catching sight of her bare feet. His brow furrowed. He let out a disgusted snort, a look of disdain crossing his face. Turning to Alex, he snapped, "Is this the company dress code?" "Huh?" Alex was stunned. He turned to Kylie, his face suddenly flushed with embarrassment. Flustered, he hurriedly explained, "Mr. Sinclair, this... this must be a misunderstanding, really!" Jonathan's cold eyes locked onto Alex's, sending a clear message of authority. Then, flanked by his entourage, he strode out of the finance department. Alex stood there, drenched in sweat, still muttering to himself as Jonathan walked away. "Misunderstanding... definitely a misunderstanding... ugh!" Chapter 9 Kylie felt bad for causing trouble for Alex, so she quietly murmured, "Sorry, Mr. Hill. I'll be more careful next time." Alex turned to face her and was about to scold her. But then he paused, his expression thoughtful. "Did Mr. Sinclair say you were working part-time at a nightclub?" Kylie saw the hint of gossip—and something more inappropriate—in his eyes. She quickly responded, "Mr. Hill, I was just working as a regular waitress. Please don't read into it." "Did you run into Mr. Sinclair at the nightclub?" Alex's sharp instincts kicked in, and his words hit the mark. Kylie was left speechless, unsure how to respond. Lana, ever the gossip, immediately leaned in and said, "Hey, Kylie, I think you look a lot like Mr. Sinclair's fiancee!" As she spoke, Lana pulled out her phone and started comparing photos. Alex raised an eyebrow, glanced at the photo on Lana's phone, and then studied Kylie with narrowed eyes. He nodded slowly. "Yeah, there's definitely a resemblance." Lana, with her eternal bystander mentality, began analyzing the situation, oblivious to Kylie's discomfort. "Maybe when you were working at the club, Mr. Sinclair noticed you and thought you looked like her. That's why he remembers you." Kylie lowered her gaze. The words that she looked like Jonathan's fiancee felt like soft thorns, pricking at her heart. A few days later, the HR department sent out a notice about personnel changes. The company chat erupted with messages tagging Kylie, but she was too busy sorting through project materials to notice anything happening. When Lana saw the email, she gasped in surprise and immediately rushed to Kylie's desk. "Kylie, congratulations!" Kylie was completely confused and asked, "Congratulations? What for?" Lana snatched the files from Kylie's hands, pushing her to look at her inbox. "You've been appointed as the CEO's executive assistant! Look at the email!" Kylie blinked in shock as she refreshed her inbox and saw the personnel change notice. Executive assistant to the CEO? That title alone sparked all sorts of thoughts. Kylie felt a strong resistance inside her. She didn't understand why Jonathan was acting this way—she didn't want to see him every day. Her mind was spinning, but Lana spoke up from beside her with envy, "I never would've guessed that looking like the CEO's future wife would have such perks! The salary for an executive assistant is way higher than what we make in the finance department!" Just then, the phone on the desk rang—it was Michael calling. "Ms. Cooper, please come to the CEO's office." "Huh?" "Mr. Sinclair is waiting for you." Kylie was reluctant, but she obediently made her way to the elevator and headed up to Jonathan's office. Michael was already waiting at the door. When he saw Kylie, he gave her a nod and gestured for her to go inside. Every time Kylie had seen Michael before, it was either when he was taking her to the villa or dropping her off at home. This was the first time they had met so formally at the office. She felt uneasy, but after nodding to Michael, she quickly walked into Jonathan's office. Once she entered, Michael turned and closed the door behind her. The room was quiet, with only Jonathan and Kylie present. Jonathan said nothing, and Kylie didn't dare make a sound. The silence was suffocating. Behind his glasses, Jonathan's cold, detached gaze lingered on Kylie for a long moment. It was a while before he spoke. "Not happy with your new position?" His teasing tone made Kylie uncomfortable. "Mr. Sinclair, I don't think I'm suited for this job. I'd like to request that you reconsider the transfer." Jonathan's expression darkened, his displeasure evident. "You don't want to be my executive assistant?" "I just don't think I'm the right fit." "I think you are." Jonathan's voice was firm as he stood. Then, he walked around his large desk and moved to stand beside Kylie. He raised a hand and gently gripped her chin, speaking each word with emphasis. "You've done well for the past three years. Being my executive assistant will be a piece of cake for you." Chapter 10 Jonathan's gaze was playful, his words laced with double meaning. Though she had willingly allowed Jonathan to support her over the past three years, his words now made Kylie feel an unfamiliar sting of humiliation. A faint blush spread across her face. "Mr. Sinclair, I apologize for what happened at the nightclub. I hope you can show some understanding." A mix of anger and frustration flashed across Kylie's face, but Jonathan simply smirked and said, "I told you, my woman will never be in a place like that." As he spoke, Jonathan tightened his grip on Kylie's chin, forcing her face closer to his. The scent of his leather cologne flooded her senses, and her face flushed even deeper. "I won't allow it," he said, each word deliberate, and his lips were just a breath away from hers. His long fingers traced her warm cheek, his touch sending a shiver through her. Inside, Jonathan felt a strange surge of possessiveness. He deliberately teased and provoked Kylie. But she felt uncomfortable and found Jonathan's behavior repulsive. From the nightclub to the office, all Kylie had sensed from him was disdain and humiliation. If he didn't love her, why wouldn't he just let her go? Perhaps this was just his domineering nature—his need to control. "Mr. Sinclair, you already have a fiancee. Please let me go." Kylie spoke with quiet defiance, her words causing Jonathan to pause. He released her chin, not responding. It seemed her guess had been right—his fiancee was a sore spot for him. Kylie's suspicion was confirmed by his reaction. Suppressing the pain in her heart, she continued, "For the past three years, you've treated me as a stand-in for someone else. Now that she's back, it's understandable that you would discard me. But please, I'm begging you… just let me go." Jonathan's face revealed no hint of emotion—neither joy, anger, nor sadness. He simply asked, "Stand-in? What are you talking about?" "Mr. Sinclair, you don't need to worry about my feelings. I know you hate me. I won't bother you. But I need this job. I'll work hard and stay in my place. Please, don't force me to leave this way." Tears welled up in Kylie's eyes, and her voice trembled as she spoke. Jonathan was utterly confused by Kylie's words. What was she talking about—being a stand-in, him hating her, forcing her to leave? All he had done was arrange for her to stay close to him, yet she was coming up with all these excuses to distance herself? His expression darkened. He spoke with clear annoyance, "Kylie, my patience for you is limited. Staying by my side is your best option." Kylie was stunned, her mouth opening as she tried to find something to say but couldn't. "Were you thinking of leaving me for another sugar daddy? I'd advise against it. If you try that, your life will be miserable." Jonathan gritted his teeth, his tone almost threatening as he gave her a warning. "And don't even think about quitting. If you leave here, you'll be unemployed. No company in Jorundale will hire you." At those words, all hope drained from Kylie. Of course, Jonathan had the power to cut off all her options here. It felt like there was no way out for her. She felt drained and exhausted. She turned her face away. Tears began to slip from the corner of her eye without her noticing. "Why are you crying?" Jonathan's cold voice cut through the silence as he reached up with his long, graceful fingers to wipe away her tears. He grasped her chin and turned her face toward him. Before she could react, he leaned down and kissed her. His lips were warm and soft, completely different from his usual forceful manner. This time, his kiss was gentle and tender. Kylie shuddered, wanting to pull away. However, his large, warm hand slipped to her lower back, holding her in place. Jonathan kissed her with intent, and Kylie felt a strange mix of emotions. One moment he was threatening her, and the next, he was tender and affectionate. Was something wrong with him? She tried to break free, but he only held her tighter. With no strength left to fight, her lips instinctively responded to his. Just then, a voice came from outside the door. "Mr. Sinclair, Ms. Whitfield is here."