Chapter 660: She Is on Glue!

Henry looked up, surprised to see Susan in his office, witnessing his uncontrolled behavior. His Adam's apple bobbed. No excuse adequately explained his anger and violence following Manuel's success.

They stared at each other silently. Finally, Susan said, "Calm yourself, Henry." Her tone was neither condemning nor consoling, simply indifferent. She turned to leave.

Henry clenched his fists, his face contorted with fury. He was distraught by Susan's apparent lack of concern, her growing disillusionment. This had to stop! He slammed his fist on the desk. He felt a violent urge to kill Manuel—Manuel's achievements were driving him to despair.

Susan returned to her office, overwhelmed with emotion. She couldn't reconcile the stark change in Henry. Her earlier indifference masked her anxiety about confronting him. She couldn't deny his resentment towards Manuel, or that his actions stemmed from his feelings for her. She felt profoundly disturbed. How could her Henry have become so…strange?

Her phone rang. Henry's name appeared on the screen. He was calling after their awkward silence. Susan preferred to avoid him, unsure how to approach the situation. Yet, she answered. "Henry."

"I'm sorry, Susan," he said regretfully.

Susan's throat tightened. Had she misjudged him, or was he simply a master of disguise? His transformation was shockingly swift. She remained silent.

"I admit I was jealous of Manuel," he confessed, his voice laced with self-deprecation. "I lack the courage to face you; I can only apologize by phone."

He didn't need to apologize; she had simply witnessed his behavior and couldn't accept it. But the words wouldn't come. She found herself falling into silence.

"As Manuel's rival, I always believed myself superior, both professionally and romantically. But I see him differently now. I used to attribute his success to your father's favoritism, but I realize how petty that makes me seem. Acknowledging his abilities terrifies me. I fear he'll replace me—in the company, and in your heart."

Susan listened, unsure how to respond to his repentance.

"When I returned to my office, I lost control. Now, I deeply regret my actions," Henry said, his self-deprecation unanswered by Susan's continued silence.

"I don't know what else to say," he sighed, a hint of bitterness in his tone. "I'm afraid I've irrevocably damaged your impression of me. I'm sorry, Susan. I'm sorry I let you down."

Susan's throat tightened again. She remained silent until the call ended.

His silence drove him mad. Previously, a show of vulnerability had always elicited Susan's sympathy. Today, however, her coldness was unbearable. He couldn't imagine their future if this continued. Grinding his teeth, he struggled to regain control. Susan was his last hope, professionally and personally, and he wouldn't lose her.

Susan worked late, then played games to pass the time. Even that offered no solace. Exiting her office, she boarded the elevator and saw Manuel. Their eyes met. Susan started to speak, but Manuel looked away, feigning unfamiliarity. She swallowed her words, her gaze fixed on the changing numbers. She hurried out as soon as the elevator reached the ground floor. Manuel glanced at her retreating back before continuing on his way.

Once in her car, Susan broke down. The tears flowed uncontrollably; it felt as if it had been going on forever, but also absurd and dramatic. She felt as though she were on glue, disconnected from reality. She was existing in a state of living death.

After regaining her composure, Susan arrived home, scrolling through a food delivery app, using the distraction to escape her troubled thoughts. Opening her door, she paused. Henry stood there, wearing an apron, preparing dinner. Honestly, she didn't want the surprise, didn't want to see him. She just wanted to be alone.

"Susan, you're back," Henry said, smiling affectionately, as if nothing had transpired earlier.

Susan's throat tightened. She couldn't refuse him—it had become a ritual. Compromise was her default setting with Henry. But this time, she thought, she would change the door password.