Married to the Cold CEO

Chapter Seven

Scarlett’s eyes flashed coldly as she simultaneously activated the recording and screen-capture functions on her phone.

She stepped into Alex Harrison’s office. Without any preamble, Alex got straight to the point: “Scarlett, I heard you’ve come up with a new design file—apparently even more brilliant than the one you gave Tiffany yesterday.”

Scarlett nodded curtly. “Yes. I had another great idea, so I sketched it out right away.”

Alex’s tone turned commanding, his sneer barely concealed. “Then hand this new design file over to Tiffany. After all, you don’t really need it.”

A surge of anger and hurt boiled within Scarlett. How had she never seen through Alex’s scummy behavior? Instead of acquiescing as she usually did, she refused sharply, “No—I’m keeping this design file for myself! Besides, didn’t I already give her one yesterday?”

Alex’s face twisted into a scowl. “That file isn’t nearly as good as today’s. You think I don’t know what I’m talking about? Besides, do you really believe this design file is as crucial to you as it is to Tiffany? If she wins the judges’ favor at tomorrow’s competition, she might even earn a spot at the global contest. What have you produced in the past two years? Who even knows who you are?”

Scarlett’s expression darkened further. “I haven’t produced any work because, over these two years, you’ve been taking all my design files and giving them to Tiffany, Alex! How can you say that? I’m not giving her this time!”

Seeing that his hard approach was failing, Alex softened his tone, almost pleading now: “Scarlett, I know you have a soft spot in your heart. Tiffany is our OceanSky Jewelers’ golden ticket. Even if you’re not thinking of her, you must consider me too—we’re going to get married, and OceanSky will belong to both of us!”

He continued, his voice lowering further: “Besides, you’ve already handed over all your design files from the past two years. There’s no point in holding back now. Tiffany is about to participate in the Century Jewelry Competition hosted by Sterling Jewelers tomorrow—a contest that’s extremely important for her. At this stage, wouldn’t it be better to push her even further? Once she steps onto the world stage, wouldn’t OceanSky reap the benefits?”

Scarlett’s stubborn resolve hardened. “I’m not giving her this time! I’m keeping this design file for my own use!”

At that, Alex’s face soured to its limit. Finally, with a dismissive wave, he snapped, “Fine, fine—if you won’t hand it over, then forget it!”

Scarlett turned away, her expression twisted in disdain, and left the office. Once outside, she quickly saved the recording and screen-capture evidence, a sarcastic smile curling on her lips.

Before the end of the day, Scarlett carefully packed today’s original design file into her bag and placed the backup in its usual secure spot. Then, without drawing attention, she retrieved a miniature pinhole camera from her pocket and nonchalantly affixed it onto the vase atop her desk.

Barely a few moments later, Tiffany appeared and whispered, “Sis, did you just have a fight with Alex?”

Scarlett’s eyes flickered with icy amusement. “Why do you ask?”

With a helpless expression, Tiffany replied, “He said you two argued, then invited you to dinner—and he even wanted me to act as his messenger!”

Scarlett’s tone was flat and sarcastic. “Really?”

Tiffany nodded. “Yeah, he said the three of us should have dinner together. Judging by his tone, I knew you two must’ve had a serious spat!”

In the end, Scarlett reluctantly acquiesced to the scumbags’ wishes and joined them at one of Los Angeles’ renowned upscale restaurants. They were seated at a window table—Alex and Tiffany positioned on either side of the window, facing each other, with Scarlett seated beside Alex.

After ordering their meal, Alex and Tiffany engaged in their usual banter while Scarlett remained a silent observer. Not far away, Maxwell’s assistant entered the restaurant trailing behind Maxwell. The assistant’s eyes immediately locked onto the group by the window. Then, with an expression that was hard to put into words, he exclaimed, “Mr. Stone, Miss Scarlett is over there!”

Maxwell glanced briefly in that direction; his gaze soon fixed beneath the table, where he noticed Alex and Tiffany’s legs intertwined. A mocking smile curled at his lips as he strode purposefully toward the table, clearly ready to intervene.