Partners in Scheme

30. The Broken Doll

The next day I went to the office, everybody was staring at me as I walked up to the elevator.

Last night I had received an official mail from Devon asking me to retrieve my promotion papers and get started on the job. And so here I was, ready to become his puppet once more.

My lips twitched into a sour smirk at the thought as I stepped into the crowded elevator.

I was indeed a puppet for him. He saved me from charges and somehow convinced other shareholders to not press any against me. He saved me from getting arrested, losing my job, dragging Yuvan through the mud with me, and ultimately ruining our lives. Officer Davis Had been right. Devon Harlington saved me.

But did I want him to?

The elevator pinged before I could think of an answer.

I stepped into the familiar top floor, as silent as ever. My heels clicked softly, echoing through the grand corridor. My eyes dropped on a young man with shaggy hair and a suit across from the glass cabin beside Devon's door. Once upon a time, that used to be my place to sit through the day.

I walked up to the cabin and knocked on the glass door. The man looked up from his laptop and raised his brows—recognition of some kind flitted through his eyes.

I pushed the door and moved to his white desk.

"Appointment with Devon Harlington," I said, eyeing the nameplate on his desk.

'Gregory Martins,
Executive Assistant'

He nodded. "Let me check."

He dialed on the office phone.

Devon picked up and they talked for a while. After that, the assistant, Gregory, nodded at me. "You can go."

"Thanks," I spoke in the bleakest of voice that I could muster and left to get a certain CEO.

I knocked on his door and stepped inside after hearing his approval. The door clicked shut behind me as I met his dark gaze, proud like a victor of a war.

"Welcome, Miss Hayes."

I still couldn't believe there was a time when I used to admire those eyes, that smooth deep voice so much. I was a blind fool.

A shuddering breath escaped my lips as I stepped forward.

"Good morning, sir. My joining letter." I handed him the file in my hand.

Devon scoffed, tossing it aside. "I'll see it later. Sit down. Don't hurt those pretty legs."

I sat down like a well-cogged doll, or was it a well-cogged doll with broken wings?

Devon hummed, leaning forward with his arms on the table. "Now, tell me. How does it feel to be back?"

"Good," I responded in a calm voice, my eyes cast down at the blue paperweight on the table.

"I bet Sawyer was making you bend your back with work, both at the office and..." The way his lips stretched into a smirk had my skin crawl.

My fists clenched my skirt underneath the table. "When are you going to get him out?"

"Who again?"

Such baby innocence...

I met his gaze with a firm determination. "Sawyer Ronnes."

His smirk widened. "You want him out?"

"You have everything under control. Why fear a snake with broken teeth?"

His smirk wiped faster than a blink. "That snake still tried to hiss at me. With the help of his little friend at that. This is just a necessary precaution."