After Eight Years, He Walked Away Like I Was Nothing - Chapter 30: Chapter 30

Chantelle’s POV
The moment I stepped off the plane, I spotted Cliff waiting near the exit, tension written all over his face.
As I approached, the tightness in his expression eased slightly. He stepped forward, took my luggage, and asked in a calm voice, “How are you feeling?”
I didn’t answer; I just gave him a tired nod.
Too much had happened. My body had been pushed to its limit.
If not for sheer willpower keeping me upright, I might’ve collapsed right there in the terminal.
Cliff must’ve seen it in my face because he didn’t press me with more questions.
We got in the car, and he drove me to an apartment.
It wasn’t anywhere near as luxurious as Lachlan’s estate, but for the first time in a long while, I felt… at ease.
‘At least here, I don’t have to brace for criticism or accusations from anyone. At least here, I don’t have to worry that someone might force my hand into a bowl of boiling soup the next second.’
I placed my luggage down and turned toward the door, where Cliff still stood, lingering as if unsure whether to stay.
I was about to see him off, but there was something in his eyes, like he wanted to say something.
But probably seeing how worn down I looked, he swallowed the thought.
“I’ll head out, then,” he said quietly. “This is the place we’ve arranged for you for now. Once you settle in at work, you’ll have the option to move elsewhere.”
He explained the rest in careful detail. I nodded, offered a few polite words, and saw him at the door.
The Cliff I’d known when I was with Lachlan hadn’t been like this at all.
‘Is this what changes when someone stops seeing you as a rival… and starts seeing you as something else?’ I wondered.
I didn’t dwell on it. I simply closed the door.
With the luggage finally set aside, a rare sense of freedom washed over me.
The apartment was spacious—more than enough for just one person.
I set my mother’s urn on a quiet shelf by the window—somewhere calm, where the light could reach her.
Then I lit a small candle and folded my hands in front of me.
“Mom,” I whispered, “I’m not with Lachlan anymore. I’ve started a new job. Things are going to get better.”
By the time I’d finished talking to her as if she could hear me, my eyes had gone red.
‘It should’ve been a miracle—Mom waking from the coma. But I lost her before she even understood the truth—her daughter has never destroyed someone else’s marriage.’
The thought hit me like a blow, making me sob. The grief I’d tried so hard to bury resurfaced, and with it, the fury.
The hatred I felt for Kirsten flared up again, burning through my chest.
Lachlan had done everything to protect her.
There was nothing I could do about them now.
But I’d spent seven years at Lachlan’s side—as his secretary and his wife.
I knew the ins and outs of Gurfinchel Group better than most. And if I ever got the chance—just one real chance—I wouldn’t hesitate to strike back.
My hands curled into fists. But the exhaustion creeping through my bones left no room for revenge tonight.
Afterwards, I dragged myself into the bedroom. Within seconds, I fell into a sleep with no nightmares.
The very next morning, I reported to work at Cliff’s company.
It was strange. Normally, someone like me—poached from a rival firm—would be under close watch for a while.
But from day one, Cliff placed me directly into the role of chief secretary.
Not just any secretary—his chief secretary!
That meant full access to sensitive internal matters… right from the start.
It caught me off guard. I didn’t voice it, but he must’ve sensed what I was thinking.
“Stay by my side for the next few days,” he said. “Get a feel for the operations. I’m sure it won’t be too difficult for you.”
He glanced at me. “If you’re interested in trying a different position later, I’ll approve that too.”
Hearing this, I furrowed my brows.
I had originally assumed he wanted to use me to dig up secrets from Lachlan’s company. I thought all this treatment was just bait.
If that were the case, I’d gladly accept the perks while they lasted.
But now, it didn’t seem like that was his goal at all.
I tried to hold back, but I couldn’t help asking, “President Coulthard, aren’t you worried I might be a spy sent by Lachlan? You’re already giving me access to everything. What if…”
I trailed off, but he understood exactly what I meant.
He suddenly stopped in his tracks. “Why would you think that?” he said, looking me straight in the eyes. “Can’t it just be because I trust your mom?”
His voice was calm, but his gaze was unwavering.
I stared at him in confusion. I didn’t understand.
He explained, “I’m doing this for you—not for Gurfinchel Group’s secrets. I have my own way of competing with them. I don’t use underhanded tactics.”
He paused.
“Especially not when it involves you.”
His eyes locked onto mine, and for a second, I had to turn away.
There was something in that look—warmth, maybe. Affection, even.
‘But that can’t be. There’s nothing between us. There shouldn’t be,’ I thought.
With that, I composed myself quickly.
“President Coulthard, I don’t have any special requests,” I said evenly. “I’m fine staying on as your secretary.”
He coughed, suddenly flustered. The tips of his ears even turned red.
“I—I’ll be in my office,” he mumbled, then turned and walked away a little too quickly.
I watched his retreating figure, my expression blank. But inside, my confusion only deepened.