Chapter 15: The new vice president
At those words, Elena’s jaw fell apart. "What? Are you sure there is not some mistake?"
"I am afraid there is not," Owen replied seriously.
Elena couldn’t believe it. Her breathing quickened.
Noah’s repeated refusal to check this matter further flashed through her mind.
’Was it really him?’
The question tightened painfully around her chest.
She shook her head, unwilling to believe it.
’It can’t be him. Noah wouldn’t do this.’
Then again, he had already caused the death of their child. If he could do something that cruel, what else was he incapable of?
Pain stabbed through her heart.
Then Tessa’s pale and panicked face crossed her mind. Why wouldn’t she want to find out who the person was who had humiliated her?
Elena had already suspected Tessa might be behind all this. Could she have secretly used his laptop to upload those photos without his knowledge?
"It had to be him," said Owen, pulling Elena out of her thoughts. "Or who else will have access to his laptop?"
Elena’s mind spun back to Noah. ’Could he really do that to me?’
The question suffocated her. She grew breathless.
"Do you want me to take an action?"
Elena blinked slowly before her gaze hardened. "No," she said sternly. "Send me whatever you found. I’ll deal with it myself."
She left the office building and went straight to the hospital, where her aunt was receiving treatment.
Ever since Elena’s mother abandoned her as a child, her aunt, Sarah, had been the one who raised her. To take care of her, she had not even married and stayed by her side through everything.
She was home.
Elena couldn’t bear the thought of losing her.
The moment Elena stepped in, Sarah grinned.
"Elena?" Even though her face was pale, her eyes lit up with joy.
Elena rushed forward and hugged her. Her shoulders shook as she sobbed.
Sarah’s smile vanished. She knew nothing about her miscarriage. But she instantly realized something terrible had happened.
"Why are you crying like this? Did something happen?" Pulling back slightly, she searched her eyes.
𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞
Elena could no longer hold it.
"Everything is finished," Elena cried brokenly. "I lost the baby. And the wedding is cancelled."
"What?" Sarah squinted, shocked. Then pain filled her eyes. "Oh, dear..."
She hugged her again, stroking her hair gently. "Don’t cry. It’s a tough time. But nothing lasts forever. It’ll pass. Sunshine will return."
Elena sobbed harder. Because she knew it wasn’t something that would simply pass. It would remain rooted in her heart for a long time.
She had always thought Noah was her sunshine, her future, her safe place. But he had extinguished that light with his own hands and pushed her into the darkness.
He had mercilessly destroyed her hope, broken her heart, and crushed her fate in love. Because of him, Elena no longer believed she would be able to love someone again. Trusting people itself now terrified her.
After crying for some time, Elena forced herself to calm down. "I am breaking up with Noah," she said quietly and looked up at her. "Will you be with me?"
Sarah clasped her hands. "Back then, the Sinclair family promised they would take care of you."
She smiled through her tears. "I truly believed Noah was perfect for you and that he would keep you happy. Seems like he failed you."
Elena broke into sobs again.
"I won’t ask what happened between you two until you are ready to tell me," Sarah continued. "But know this—I’m always with you, irrespective of what decision you make."
"Thank you," Elena whispered. "All I need is you. As long as you are with me, I can face anything."
She blinked her tears away. "I’ll come in a few days and take you out of here."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next day...
Elena arrived at the office at her usual time. As she strode over to her desk, several employees gathered around her.
"Miss Hart, today the president is announcing the new vice-president," one of them said excitedly.
"Yes," another one joined. "You are the most qualified one for this position."
"You worked so hard for this," a woman said. "You deserve it more than anyone else."
"We are all happy to have you as our vice-president."
Elena smiled. She no longer cared about the position. She had already decided to resign.
"Actually..." Just as she started, everyone’s attention shifted to Noah and the woman walking beside him.
Elena stopped talking, stunned. ’Tessa? What is she doing here?’
Whispers instantly spread across the office.
"Why is she here? And what is she doing with the president?"
"Are the rumors actually true? Is something really going on between them?"
The atmosphere suddenly turned tense with curiosity and speculation.
Noah stopped at the center of the office floor and turned to everyone. There was a subtle smile on his face, the one that always softened his features.
"I know you all are eagerly waiting for today’s announcement," he started. "There are two, in fact."
"Two?" All were excited and intrigued.
"The new vice president will be..." He paused, and everyone held their breath.
Noah gestured to the woman standing beside him. "Miss Tessa Morgan."
Tessa beamed, confidence radiating from her.
But everyone fell into a dead silence.
Their excitement soon transformed into disbelief.
"What?"
"How is that possible?"
"We all thought Miss Elena would be the new vice president. But the president actually chose someone else?"
All exchanged puzzled glances. They couldn’t believe what they had just heard.
Even Elena froze briefly. Then her lips curled into a subtle smirk. She had not expected this, but she wasn’t surprised like others.
Noah was blindly in love with Tessa. He could do anything for her.
"And the second announcement." Noah’s voice rang again, silencing the murmurs. He turned his gaze toward Elena. "From now on, Elena will be Tessa’s assistant."
"Vice president’s assistant?" a woman gasped.
"This is injustice."
Others also thought the same. They looked furious.
"Mr. Sinclair." A man stepped forward. "Please consider your decision. Miss Hart has worked hard for this company. We all expected her to be the new vice president. But you are giving it to someone new."
Noah’s face went stern. "Are you questioning my decision?"
The man faltered. "I... No... Sir... But... This is too much..."
"I have no doubt about Elena’s abilities," Noah cut him off. "But compared to Tessa, she still lacks experience and exposure. Tessa graduated from a prestigious university in Europe. She worked abroad for years."
He glanced at Tessa proudly. "She is certainly more qualified for this position."
Everyone fell silent again. No one dared argue further.
"And Elena," he continued. "She is still young and has much to learn. Working closely under Tessa will benefit her growth."
Elena said nothing. This entire arrangement was nothing but Noah trying to make Tessa happy.
"Elena," Noah called. "Bring the project files to my office and brief Tessa."
With that, he turned and headed straight to his office, Tessa following close behind.