Jealousy Alpha's Regret novel Chapter 120

Chapter 120

Iris’s POV

I triple–checked my portfolio before zipping it closed, running my

fingers along the smooth leather edge. The design sketches inside

represented weeks of work, countless late nights, and a vision that

was purely mine–not influenced by Grey family aesthetics or Stone

family expectations.

“This competition is my ticket to a fresh start,” I murmured, carefully

placing the portfolio in my messenger bag. The weight of it against

my hip felt reassuring as I locked my apartment door behind me.

The hallway was quiet this morning, most of my neighbors already

gone for the day. I took a deep breath, mentally preparing myself for

what would likely be one of my last days at Crescent Design. The

thought sent a flutter of both anxiety and excitement through my

chest.

As I approached the elevator, I pressed the button and waited,

mentally reviewing my day’s agenda. The soft chime announced its

arrival, and as the doors slid open, my stomach dropped.

Megan Claire stood in the center of the elevator, her dark hair

perfectly styled, her crimson lips curving into a thin smile when she

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Chapter 120

saw me. The scent of her expensive perfume hit my sensitive nose immediately–vanilla and something chemical that always made me

want to sneeze.

Shit. Should’ve waited for the next one.

I stepped in reluctantly, nodding curtly in her direction before positioning myself at the opposite corner. Three other people stood between us, but I could feel her eyes on me like pinpricks against my skin.

Through the small crowd, I noticed her gaze repeatedly dropping to my midsection, lingering there with obvious curiosity. My hand

instinctively moved to rest on my stomach before I caught myself and forced it back to my side. Her nostrils flared slightly–she was trying to catch my scent, to confirm what she suspected.

I met her eyes directly for a brief moment, my face deliberately blank. I’m not giving you anything to work with anymore, Megan. Those days

are over.

When the elevator reached our floor, I stepped out first, moving with purpose toward my desk. Megan’s footsteps followed at a distance, but I refused to look back. Her presence, once so intimidating, now

felt like nothing more than an annoyance–a reminder of a life I was

leaving behind.

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Chapter 120

At my workstation, I settled in and turned on my computer. My mind

shifted into work mode almost immediately, the familiar rhythm of

checking emails and updating project files oddly comforting. Hours

passed without my notice as I immersed myself in the tasks at hand,

barely registering the office buzz around me.

My resignation letter is ready, I thought, glancing at my bag where the

sealed envelope waited. As soon as I finish these revisions to my design,

I’ll hand it in.

It wasn’t until my stomach growled that I realized it was already past

noon. I stretched, feeling the satisfying pull in my shoulders after

sitting hunched for so long. Time always flew when I was focused on

design work.

I glanced around the office, noticing most people had left for lunch.

-Taking advantage of the quiet moment, I carefully slid my iPad from

my bag, opening my competition design files for a quick review. I

needed to check one specific detail on the pendant’s clasp design

before finalizing everything tonight at home.

“Is that for the North American competition?”

I nearly jumped, quickly moving to minimize the screen. Lisa

Reynolds had appeared beside my desk, coffee in hand, eyes wide with

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