Chapter 662

Juniper bolted out of the mansion, gasping for air. She glanced back, but Anthony was nowhere in sight.

She let out a bitter laugh.

'He's got someone else now,' she thought. 'Why would he leave a beauty in his bed for me? He's probably thrilled I'm gone, so I don't mess up his perfect night. What a joke. I wish I hadn't come and seen it. When did I turn into such a coward, unable to face reality? It's pathetic. But I can't even be jealous-I'm not his girlfriend. No matter how mad I am, I have no right to act out. All I can do is run away like a fool. We're not together, but there's always been this spark, right? We leave work together, grab hot dogs, and he drives me home. Even if he doesn't like me much, he must feel something, right? So how could he bring another woman home? Is it all just in my head? Juniper, your wishful thinking is a joke.'

They weren't a thing, but it felt like she'd been dumped before anything even started.

Lightning lit up the night, and rain came pouring down, drenching Juniper.

The cold rain slapped her face.

'Is this supposed to wake me up? Stop dreaming. Anthony doesn't like me at all,' she thought.

Juniper stayed up all night, watching the rain. By morning, the sky was gray, and her whole body ached.

When she got up, she felt dizzy and feverish.

She touched her forehead and shook her head.

'No, I have to go to work. I don't want him thinking I'm a coward hiding away. But he doesn't care about me at all. Who am I trying to impress? It's laughable,' she thought.

When Juniper went downstairs, it was just past seven, and the housekeeper was still making breakfast.

"Ms. Cooper, you're up. Mr. Cooper and the others aren't up yet."

"Ms. Cooper?"

Juniper ignored them. She didn't have the energy to deal with Ronnie right now and had to get to work before he showed up.

Ronnie hadn't arrived by the time she left, so Juniper hailed a cab.

It was only eight o'clock when she got to the office, and there weren't many people around.

She sat at her desk, feeling dizzier and hotter than before.

'Did I catch a fever from the rain last night? But I have a ton of work to do today,' she thought.

She wanted to buy some medicine but didn't have the strength to go downstairs. So she decided to tough it out.

Nearby colleagues whispered, "She didn't get dropped off by Mr. Woods today. Did she get dumped?"

"Mr. Woods picked her up from work last night, and she got dumped today? That was fast. Was it two days or three?"

"What's so surprising? They probably slept together. Men are like that; no matter how pretty a woman is, she's trash after sex."

"Sleeping together after just two days, that's so casual."

"Yeah, she looks all proper on the surface, but it's all an act." They criticized Juniper for being easy, but they all wanted to sleep with Ronnie themselves. They just didn't have the chance, so they gossiped instead.

"Look at her, she looks terrible. She must have been dumped."

"Yeah, she was all happy and glowing yesterday, but today she looks sick and doesn't say a word. The difference is too big."

"Mr. Woods slept with her and then dumped her. Her reputation at the company is ruined. What man would want her now? Was it worth it? Totally not."

"Serves her right!"

'Yeah, serves me right. Falling for someone who doesn't give a damn about me. Isn't that just my luck?' Juniper thought, a bitter smile creeping onto her face.

"Shut up, Mr. Eilish is here." The office chatter died down instantly.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a tall figure in gray stride in. Juniper quickly ducked her head, pretending to be engrossed in her work, her hands trembling for some reason.

She only looked up after the figure disappeared into the office. Then she couldn't help but mock herself again. Wishful thinking, as usual.

Later that morning, Juniper had to deliver a document to the office. She took a deep breath before stepping in.

"Mr. Eilish, I'm coming in." She placed the document on his desk, trying to keep her voice steady. "This contract needs your signature."

'Juniper, keep it together. Don't let him see you sweat. Prove your worth at work, not just in love,' she told herself.

Anthony didn't even glance at her, just signed the document and handed it back.

Juniper took the contract and bumped into Terry on her way out.

"Terry." She nodded.

"Your face is really red. Are you okay? Do you have a fever?" Terry asked softly.

"I'm fine..." Juniper shook her head, feeling dizzy. Terry quickly steadied her.

"Do you need to go to the hospital?"

"I'm really fine." Juniper instinctively glanced at Anthony. Even Terry noticed something was off with her, but Anthony didn't. Her heart ached even more. She lowered her head and quickly left.

Terry glanced at Anthony. Something seemed off?

Back at her desk, Juniper felt even dizzier, her whole body burning up. She drank a large glass of water, but it didn't help.

It seemed she really had a fever.

Terry came over to assign work. "Take half a day off to see a doctor. You can't just tough it out."

If it were a guy, it might be different, but girls were more delicate.

Terry suggested, "Taking half a day off is fine. Mira can handle it."

Juniper shook her head. "Mira is already swamped. I can't add to her load. I'm really fine. Thanks for your concern."

"Don't be too stubborn. If you really can't hold on, take a leave, okay? I'll get back to work."

"Okay." Juniper lowered her head to look at the documents, but the numbers kept swimming in front of her eyes, making her dizzy.

The phone rang.

"Hello, Eilish Group President's Office." Juniper said.

"You ran off so early this morning. Am I that scary?" Ronnie teased, "I sent you ten messages, but you didn't reply to a single one. That's cold."

"I'm very busy right now. That's it."

Ronnie said, "Hey, wait. I'm going on a business trip for half a month. You don't seem happy. Are you disappointed? Have you fallen for me and can't bear to see me go?"

Juniper wanted to smash the receiver into his face.

Juniper said coldly, "No, I just don't want to talk to you."

Ronnie retorted, "Clearly, you can't bear to see me go. Stop being stubborn. Alright, since you can't bear to see me go, I'll cancel the trip."

"Are you messing with me?"

Ronnie replied, "No, I was really going on a business trip, but I can't bear to leave you, so I'll send someone else."

"No need. Just go. The farther, the better."

Ronnie teased, "You say you want me to go far away, but deep down, you want me by your side. Why are you so contradictory?"

"It's not that I'm contradictory; it's that you're wishful thinking." Juniper was feeling terrible, and his pestering was like adding fuel to the fire.

Ronnie said, "Alright, I know you can't bear to see me go. But we can't meet tonight; I have to attend a social event."