CHAPTER FOUR

SCARLET'S POV:

I took a step back, distancing myself from him, and asked, "What are you trying to do?" His face twisted into a sarcastic smile as he replied, "Why? Do you want this all for yourself? Are you after my status and money?" Anger surged through me as I raised a finger and pointed at him, "Don't you dare, sir! I have no ulterior motives, and who told you that I want you?" He picked up his phone from the table, keeping his eyes fixed on me, his gaze predatory. He showed me a text message, accusing me of being a gold digger. My mind quickly went back to the events of last night. Laila had taken my phone. She must have sent that message, making it seem like I wrote it. I bit my lower lip and replied, "It's true that I have feelings for you, but I am not after your money or anything material. I love you for who you are, not your status."

He moved away from me, walking back to his chair, and said, "I have no space for anyone in my life. I loved my wife, and no one can replace her." Folding my arms, I retorted, "She may have passed away years ago, but I'm not here to replace her in your heart." He looked up at me, his eyes filled with skepticism, and said, "Yes, she's gone, but I don't want to give her space in my life to someone who might be after my money." My heart sank, and I struggled to find the right words to defend myself. Before I could respond, he pointed towards the door and coldly said, "You can leave. Let's pretend like nothing happened."

Furiously, I stormed out of his room, feeling a mix of embarrassment and hurt. Tears streamed down my face as I made my way to my room to gather my belongings. I couldn't work here anymore. How could he accuse me of being a gold digger? And how could Laila betray me like this? As I walked out with a box of my things, Laila confronted me, "Hey, what's going on? Why are you leaving with that box?" Looking at her, I couldn't contain my emotions any longer and yelled, "You texted Mason using my phone! How could you do this to me? I needed time, I was waiting for the right moment, but you ruined everything! Now he thinks I'm just after his money!" I brushed past her, not wanting to endure any more humiliation. I hailed a taxi and headed straight back to my home.

MASON'S POV:

I was engrossed in my work, carefully studying the different shades on the card when Laila barged into my room. "What did you say to Scarlet? She left in tears with all her belongings," she exclaimed in anger. I simply nodded and shrugged my shoulders, replying with indifference, "Well, it's good she left on her own. Least I didn't have to kick her out." Her frustration grew, and she continued, "Scarlet loves you, Mason. She had kept her feelings hidden inside her, and I was the one who texted you pretending to be her so you could see her love for you. But you accused her of being a gold digger!"

Leaning back in my chair, I set the shades card aside and closed my eyes, feeling a sense of regret wash over me. "You knew I wouldn't love anyone else," I said, my voice filled with resignation. "So why did you let her fall in love with me? Why did you give her false hope?" Laila's voice rose, filled with frustration, "For God's sake, Mason, wake up and see the truth! Your wife is gone, and you deserve happiness. You can't go around accusing someone without knowing the full story. Scarlet didn't even plan on telling you her feelings, but I pushed her to, and she still hesitated. So I took matters into my own hands and texted you as her. You broke her heart, Mason." With that, she turned on her heel and left the room. I felt like an utter fool. Had I done something terribly wrong?