Chapter 4 Marlene stood outside the convenience store , pressing a cup of ice against her throbbing cheek . Suddenly , a handkerchief appeared in her line of sight . " Careful with that ice , " a voice said gently . " With skin that delicate , you might end up with frostbite if you keep that up . " Marlene looked up and realized it was the man who'd once called himself a doctor and advised her to try some honey water . He wore a simple jacket , but his well - proportioned frame lent the casual garb an air of effortless refinement . " Alaric Jensen , " he introduced himself , flashing a disarming smile . Leaning back against the wall , he braced his hands behind him and chuckled . " Funny thing Every time I run into you , you seem to be having a terrible day . " Marlene shot him a withering glare , and he immediately raised his hands in mock surrender , his grin widening . " Whoa , don't get me wrong . I wasn't making fun of you . " She found him utterly bizarre . Too drained to entertain his chatter , she grabbed her high heels from the ground and walked off without a word . " Hey , Ms. Fawcett ! " Alaric called after her , his voice carrying a playful lilt . " We'll see each other again ! " 0.00 % 08-2483 Chapter 4 Her steps faltered for a moment , a flicker of confusion crossing her face as she processed his words . Then she shook it off and kept walking . Days later , in a cozy cafe , Marlene sat across from Alaric , watching in mild disbelief as he polished off his third slice of cake with gusto . Alaric was the guy Marlene's aunt tried to set her up with . As Alaric reached for a fourth slice , Marlene interjected , her tone polite but firm . " Dr. Jensen , I'm really sorry , but I'm really not in the mood for dating right now . My family set this up without asking me . I'm sorry ... The cake's on me ; just eat as much as you want . " Alaric paused mid - bite , his eyes twinkling with amusement . " Well , Ms. Fawcett , if you're footing the bill , I might just clear out their entire display case . " After that little encounter , they went their separate ways . Alaric seemed to vanish from Marlene's life as quickly as he'd appeared . Monday rolled around , and Marlene dragged herself to work . With her resignation looming , Marlene was swamped with handing off projects , her days busier than ever . Even her lunch breaks were squeezed into fleeting moments of reprieve . That afternoon , Marlene was massaging her aching neck , about to steal a quick nap , when her phone buzzed with a call from Kenyon . On the phone , he demanded that she go to his office immediately . In the office , the air was thick with tension . The company's top executives filled the room , their faces grim , the atmosphere suffocating . " Mr. Burt , " one of them said , breaking the silence , " the security footage 24 83 % 08 24 Chapter 4 shows Marlene was the last person in the meeting room . " It was only then that she learned the company's finalized project proposal had been stolen . No one knew who the culprit was yet , but Marlene , being the last person there , was the prime suspect . " Mr. Burt , are you accusing me ? " Marlene asked , her voice steady despite the knot in her chest . Kenyon said nothing . His lips were pressed into a thin line , his jaw clenched like a taut blade , unreadable and cold . " Mr. Burt , this is no small matter , " another executive chimed in . " If there's a mole in the company , the situation could be serious . " " Since Marlene was the last one in the room , why not let her prove her innocence ? " someone else suggested . " Exactly . If she has nothing to hide , she won't be afraid of an inspection . If it's a misunderstanding , we'll clear it up . The executives ' voices overlapped , a chorus of suspicion , while Kenyon remained silent , his gaze distant . Marlene's fingers dug into her palms , her spine rigid with defiance . " I didn't steal anything , " she said , her voice clear and unwavering . " I would never betray the company . " A knock interrupted the room . An assistant entered , holding Marlene's purse , and without ceremony , dumped its contents onto the floor . " Mr. Burt , we searched her desk . Nothing there , " the assistant reported . The executives erupted again , their voices a chaotic buzz . " If it's not on her desk , maybe she's carrying it on her , " someone said . 67807 08 24 Chapter 4 " Exactly . If we're going to check , we should be thorough , " another added . Marlene's eyes swept over the clamoring group , realization dawning . She knew what they were about to demand . Her gaze shifted to the man she had shared a bed with for five years . In that moment , he felt like a stranger . Her voice trembled but held firm . " You have no right to search me . If you insist on an investigation , call the police and let them handle it . " But then , Kenyon's voice cut through the room , icy and detached . " Take your clothes off . " 8 70 %