Chapter 3 His Secret
The scene inside was unmistakably intimate—the kind that defied polite description.
"Excuse me—" Quinley pulled the door closed instinctively, her face draining of color as emotions crashed through her.
"Come in." Zachary's cold voice sliced through the narrow gap in the doorway.
Quinley hesitated. Professionally, as his secretary during work hours, she was obligated to obey.
Personally, as his former lover, witnessing him in a compromising position with another woman was impossible to ignore.
Her fingers trembled slightly on the doorknob, but she didn't linger outside.
If Zachary wanted her to enter, she would—even if it meant walking through fire.
"Mr. Jennings." When she reappeared, her face had transformed into a mask of serene indifference.
"Is there a change of clothes in the rest room?" Zachary asked, dabbing at a wet spot on his trousers, his face tight with annoyance.
Quinley noticed the overturned teacup on his desk and the dampness spreading across his shirt hem.
"It's entirely my fault," Alicia said apologetically. "I made your favorite black tea, but I knocked over the cup and soaked your clothes."
Her face was flushed, wisps of hair artfully disheveled, eyes shimmering.
The square neckline of her blouse revealed a generous glimpse of skin as she clutched a tissue, attempting to help Zachary dry himself. He impatiently pushed her hand away.
"Yes, there's a complete set in the rest room," Quinley replied calmly.
Zachary strode toward the rest room and closed the door behind him.
Only then did Quinley's racing heart begin to steady. She found a cloth and methodically cleaned Zachary's desk, then knelt to mop up the spill on the floor.
"Ms. Elikin, I'm sorry for the trouble," Alicia said politely, though her gaze now carried unmistakable hostility.
"It's my responsibility. No trouble at all." Quinley's voice remained neutral.
Alicia settled back into Zachary's executive chair. "Ms. Elikin, come here a moment." She opened a drawer and pulled out a long, navy-blue rectangular box.
Quinley recognized it immediately—the CDM black diamond bracelet. Only two existed worldwide, essentially priceless.
Three months ago, she had accompanied Zachary to an auction where he'd spent ten million dollars to acquire it.
She'd admired it deeply, assuming he was saving it for a special occasion with her.
Never had she imagined he would give it to Alicia.
"Help me put it on." Alicia extended her arm, offering the bracelet to Quinley.
"Of course." Quinley knelt before her and fastened it around her wrist. The black diamonds looked stunning against Alicia's glowing skin and delicate wrist.
"It suits you perfectly," Quinley complimented, bringing an immediate bloom of satisfaction to Alicia's face.
"Zach mentioned giving me a bracelet for our engagement, and I was actually annoyed. After all, something someone else has used feels... distasteful." Alicia examined the bracelet admiringly.
"But I never imagined it would be this rare treasure. Fine things are for fine people—not everyone is worthy, wouldn't you agree?"
Her words carried unmistakable warning. Whether Alicia knew about Quinley's relationship with Zachary remained unclear, but since her opponent hadn't shown her full hand, Quinley chose to play naive.
"You're absolutely right. Mr. Jennings clearly cares deeply for you. I wish you both eternal happiness together."
As they spoke, Basil McDonald from HR appeared in the doorway. Seeing Quinley, he looked uncomfortable, avoiding her gaze.
She noticed the opened envelope in his hand—her resignation letter. As Zachary's secretary, her resignation required his approval before HR could process it.
"Ms. Elikin, where is Mr. Jennings?" Basil asked.
Before Quinley could answer, Zachary emerged from the rest room in fresh clothes—white shirt and black trousers, his signature look.
"Zach, I'll get you coffee—iced Americano as usual?" Alicia offered.
Zachary nodded grimly.
Alicia glided toward the door, then turned back. "Ms. Elikin, what about you? What coffee do you prefer?"
The question caught Quinley off guard. "Thank you, but I don't drink coffee—sleep issues."
Alicia asked nothing further, flashed Zachary a sweet smile, and disappeared.
"What is it?" Zachary took his seat.
Basil immediately handed him Quinley's resignation letter. "Ms. Elikin, perhaps you should discuss this with Mr. Jennings yourself."
The black letters on white paper lay exposed before Zachary. He didn't seem surprised, though his expression darkened considerably.
"You want to leave?" he asked, his voice deceptively soft.
"Yes." Quinley stood with hands folded at her waist, her expression calm behind a practiced smile that masked her emotions—a trait she shared with Zachary.
Sensing his presence was unwelcome, Basil tactfully excused himself, closing the door behind him.
The room filled with Zachary's distinctive presence, making the hair on Quinley's arms stand on end.
To hide her unease, she busied herself organizing the scattered reports on his desk with her characteristic precision and efficiency.
He leaned back, his cool gaze fixed on her hands—slender fingers and soft palms that moved with such purpose.
At work, those hands transformed chaos into order. In private, they possessed a different magic—igniting fire wherever they touched him.
"Why do you want to leave?" Zachary finally asked after a long silence.
"I need a change of environment," Quinley replied with her gentle smile.
"Is the environment here unsatisfactory?" he countered.
Quinley finished organizing the reports and returned to her previous position. In his presence, she always maintained a respectful demeanor, rarely showing casualness.
"It's excellent."
As his secretary, he had provided her with a private office—small but furnished to executive standards, decorated specifically to her preferences.
"Then why leave?" He pressed relentlessly.
Quinley understood what he was really asking but chose not to answer.
Zachary didn't pursue it further. He leaned back, seemingly frozen, his fingers tapping intermittently on the desk.
The room was so quiet that each tap landed directly on Quinley's heart. His patience was legendary—great leaders must have extraordinary patience.
"Mr. Jennings, if there's nothing else, I should get back to work."
Quinley sought an excuse to leave, turning to go.
"Compile the briefings from the past five years. I need to review them."
He was angry, flexing his authority.
"Understood." Quinley acknowledged, then asked, "When do you need them?"
"Friday."
A tight deadline for a massive workload. He was certain she couldn't complete it.
But Quinley simply agreed. "Very well."
No sooner had she returned to her office than Lily rushed in, eyes brimming with tears, and threw her arms around her.
"This is all my fault! I'll explain everything to Mr. Jennings—tell him it has nothing to do with you and beg him to let you stay."
News of Quinley's resignation had spread quickly within their circle. Lily, convinced it was her mistake, was consumed with guilt.
"This has nothing to do with you. Resigning was entirely my decision."
Quinley explained, but Lily's tears continued.
"Why leave? Everyone's desperate to get into Apex Global Group, and here you are, giving up the chief secretary position after finally earning it!"
Apex Global Group was preeminent in Rosewood City, unmatched in strength and prospects.
Thanks to Zachary's favor, just three years after college graduation, Quinley had reached a pinnacle most could only dream of.
Leaving meant she would never find a comparable platform, nor a superior like Zachary.
But she had compelling reasons—reasons she saw no need to share.
"Focus on doing well. Before I leave, I'll help complete your internship evaluation."
Quinley saw her younger self in Lily. As a mentor, she was happy to offer support where she could.
Lily expressed profound gratitude before leaving, and Quinley immediately immersed herself in work.
The briefings were challenging, but she was no novice. Data compilation required immense patience—a task others might have refused, but to appease Zachary, she had to comply.
As she worked, a soft knock sounded at her door.
"Come in." Her fingers continued flying across the keyboard, eyes fixed on the screen.
Someone entered but remained silent while Quinley completed her report. Only then did she look up to discover Alicia standing there.
"Ms. Davis?" Surprise colored her voice.
Alicia smiled warmly, dimples appearing at the corners of her mouth. "You seemed busy, so I didn't want to interrupt. Since you don't drink coffee, I brought you warm milk instead."
Quinley rose hastily, slightly flustered. "Thank you. How much? I'll pay you."
"No need—it's just milk," Alicia declined.
But Quinley insisted, reaching for her phone.
After a moment's hesitation, Alicia smiled again. "You're truly principled, I see."
She took out her phone and opened Facebook. "Add me first."
Quinley had only intended to transfer money, not become social media friends. But unable to refuse politely, she complied.
Alicia quickly accepted the request. "I'll let you get back to work—I need to see Zach about something."
She was like a blooming white flower, elegant with a subtle fragrance.
Quinley sat down, holding the milk awkwardly.
Alicia was no ordinary adversary. From her first appearance, she had tested, intimidated, and pressured.
As long as the true nature of things remained veiled, Quinley could manage. But if her relationship with Zachary were exposed, she couldn't imagine how Alicia might react.
Lost in these thoughts, her mind grew chaotic.
Quinley transferred money for the milk, which Alicia accepted after considerable delay.
Alicia's social media had no privacy restrictions, allowing Quinley to browse freely. Each post featured exquisite images showcasing refined taste and cultivation.
The most recent update caught her eye—a photo of Riverwalk's evening lights. No caption.
Quinley opened the image, zooming in and out. As she adjusted the view, her gaze fixed on the overlapping shadows cast by streetlights.
Like a detective, she carefully compared the shadow outlines and made a startling discovery—one silhouette was unmistakably Zachary.
The date was May 21st.
Their three-year anniversary.
The day he claimed to have a business engagement, standing her up.