She’s Done. He’s Breaking novel Chapter 4

**Chapter 4**

Sheila’s voice rang out with authority, “Make sure the financial report analysis for Newmount Corporation is completed by the end of lunch.”

Stella returned to her desk, her heart sinking slightly.

Despite being relegated to a lowly position in the secretarial department, Sheila had a knack for piling on tasks that were far beyond Stella’s actual responsibilities. It was as if she took pleasure in reminding Stella of her new status.

Yet, Stella accepted each task with a silent nod, convincing herself that her hard work would somehow be noticed. Deep down, she knew that Tristan would only ever grant her a fleeting glance, if that.

Once she had meticulously finished the report analysis, Stella carefully handed both the digital and printed versions to Sheila. Afterward, she placed an order for her own lunch.

The company cafeteria was available, but she preferred to avoid the bustling crowd. The noise and constant scrutiny of others made her anxious. All she craved was solitude—a moment of peace away from the chaos of her surroundings.

Since she hadn’t prepared anything that morning, she reluctantly opted for takeout.

As she waited for her food, a couple of colleagues strolled back from their lunch break, animatedly discussing the latest office gossip.

“Did you see Mr. Somerton’s girlfriend? She’s practically a child! Still in college, I think?”

“Absolutely! And she’s stunning—like a living doll!”

“Did you notice how he looked at her? His gaze was overflowing with affection. Who would have thought the ice-king CEO could be so tender?”

As they passed by Stella’s desk, they paused, noticing her sitting there like a statue, lost in her thoughts.

Ever since her transfer to the secretarial department, she had become a ghost in the office, avoiding interaction unless absolutely necessary. With each passing month, she had retreated further into herself, even adopting a metaphorical mask to shield her from the world.

It was almost surreal to think that less than a year ago, she had been the esteemed executive assistant, brimming with confidence and ambition.

When the deliveryman finally called her name, she rose from her seat.

As she made her way downstairs, she encountered two hotel staff members struggling to find their way, meals in hand. They were asking the receptionists for directions. One of the receptionists swiped a card, granting them access to the CEO’s private elevator.

Stella’s eyes were drawn to one of the staff members who was carrying a bottle of red wine that cost a staggering two hundred thousand dollars. To Tristan, that was mere pocket change; he could earn that amount in less than a minute.

Collecting her tuna sandwich, she headed back upstairs, feeling the weight of the world on her shoulders.

At precisely 2:00 PM, Sheila approached her desk, a smirk playing on her lips. “Mr. Somerton wants to see you.”

Stella’s heart raced, a familiar dread creeping in. She had a sinking feeling that she knew what was coming.

As she stepped into the CEO’s office, the air felt heavy with tension, wrapping around her like a suffocating blanket. She approached his desk, her voice barely above a whisper, “Mr. Somerton.”

Tristan looked up, his handsome features sharp and unyielding. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed a stack of papers at her.

“Is this the analysis report you prepared?”

The edge of the A4 sheets grazed her cheek, a surprising sting that made her wince. She glanced down at the scattered papers at her feet—her completed report from that very morning. Supporting her belly with one hand, she bent down carefully to retrieve the documents, acutely aware of Tristan’s cold gaze following her.

As she examined the report in her hands, her heart sank. Errors leaped out at her, glaring and obvious. “Mr. Somerton, this isn’t the report I prepared,” she attempted to explain, her voice trembling slightly.

“Enough. I don’t want to hear your excuses.”

Stella’s grip on the papers tightened as disappointment washed over her. Tristan, who knew her capabilities better than anyone else, had chosen to condemn her instead. It was a bitter pill to swallow, knowing that the man she had loved so deeply harbored such disdain for her.

Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply, trying to steady herself before opening them again with newfound determination.

“I have a backup. I can send it to you now for review. You can scold me afterward if you wish, but at least you’ll see the correct report.”

Tristan’s dark eyes narrowed, a flicker of irritation crossing his features.

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