Part 3Silent Echoes: Leaving the Playboy for the Billionaire

In a split second, he grabbed his suit jacket and wrapped it tightly around the girl, covering her completely.

It was a deeply protective gesture.

A storm of uncontrollable emotions raged in his eyes.

The heavy, sickeningly sweet scent of perfume solidified in the air. The atmosphere was suffocating.

After a long silence, he gritted his teeth and spat out two words:

"Get out!"

I didn't know how I managed to control my body, but I took a step forward.

I walked over to the mahogany desk.

I set the lunchbox down.

"Do you have anything else you want to say, Declan?"

The veins on his forehead bulged. He bit his lip.

His beautiful eyes looked like they were covered in a layer of fog.

Declan bit his lip until it bled, finally regaining a shred of clarity.

The scene was incredibly ugly.

When had Declan ever looked this pathetic in front of me?

His voice was laced with fury.

He enunciated every word: "Get. Out. Now."

I didn't linger. "Okay. Whenever you're free, Mr. Cross, we can have a proper talk."

I closed the door behind me. My crushed heart shattered into a million pieces on the floor.

I could never pick it back up.

From inside, I heard a loud CRASH.

Declan had smashed a glass against the wall.

Before I left, I caught Blair shooting me a triumphant, mocking look.

But I didn't care anymore. I was tired.

I just wanted to leave this place. Fast. As far away as possible.

Unable to wait for the elevator, I ran down the stairs like a madwoman.

My heart was in agony, tears blinding my vision.

I missed a step and tumbled forward.

"Are you alright?"

A deep voice came from above me.

A strong, firm hand gripped my waist.

"I'm fine. Thank you."

I quickly stood up, turning my head to wipe away my tears so I wouldn't look completely humiliated.

I took a deep breath to compose myself.

I looked up to see a man in a bespoke black suit, bending down to pick up my purse.

His long legs bent slightly, the fabric pulling taut over his lean, muscular waist.

His proportions were perfect, incredibly striking.

It was Asher Pierce, currently the biggest corporate partner of Cross Industries.

"Declan... he's a bit tied up right now. You might want to reschedule, Mr. Pierce."

He smirked, raising a slashed eyebrow:

"Who said I was here to see him?"