hapter 1 The Promotion That Changed Nothing

Jessica's POV

“Congratulations, Jessica. You have been promoted to head of jewelry design and technology.”

I blinked. “I…I'm sorry, what?” I asked.

My boss smiled, sliding the document towards me. “You heard me right. Three years in this company and you've outperformed designers with ten years of experience. You earned it.”

A laugh escaped my lips. Half disbelief, half excitement. “Thank you…thank you so much. I promise i won't disappoint you,” I said.

“I know you won't,” he said with a smile.

I held the paper tightly as i walked out of the office, my heart leapt in joy as i never expected to be promoted so soon.

Outside, my coworkers surrounded me. “Congratulations! You deserve it! I knew you'd get promoted!”

“Thank you,”I laughed, trying to hide my excitement. As everyone returned to work, two designers behind me continued chatting. “Did you see the news? The one about Lumiere?”

“Yes, that another anonymous jewelry collection was sold out worldwide in less than five minutes. It's unbelievable,” the other person said.

“But I still can't believe nobody knows whether Lumiere is a man or woman. And they're calling Lumiere the greatest jewelry genius in the world,” the first person said.

I paused for a brief second, then continued walking as though i hadn't heard a word.

Outside the building, i looked down at my promotion letter again. Just three years of working with the company. Head of jewelry design.

“Jerry is going to be very happy” I whispered to myself. Pulling out my phone, dialing his number__then stopped. “No…i will tell him in person “.

I could already imagine his reaction, his proud smile, the way he would pull me into a hug and say “I always knew you could do it, Jess.”

I hurried home. As i stepped into the house, i noticed the air in the room was tense. Heavy. Something felt wrong. My smile slowly faded. “Jerry?” I called softly.

But no response. I stepped further in and froze.

There he was. Jerry. Seated on the couch. Arms folded. Eyes cold and distant. Staring at me. I felt surprised because he has never looked at me with such coldness before.

I forced a smile, though a chill ran down my spine. “You are home early today. That's new.”

He didn't smile back. Didn't respond. Instead, he slowly stood up and walked toward me. Ran a hand through his dark hair. “I have good news,” I said quickly, trying to lighten the tension. “I got pro__”

“Jessica.”

My voice died instantly. Something about the way he said my name, flat, emotionless.. made my chest tightened. “Yes?” I whispered. He looked straight into my eyes. Not warmth. Not love. Nothing.

“I want a break up.”

Silence filled the room. My mind went blank. “... What?”

“I said i want a break up.”

I took a staggering step backward as his words washed over me. “Break up? This is a prank, right?”

“No, I'm dead serious,” he replied.

The promotion letter slipped from my fingers onto the floor. “Why?” I asked, staring at him.

He exhaled like he was bored. “Because i already got what i wanted.”

My brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”

His lips curled into a faint, mocking smile. “I mean you're no longer useful to me.”

My heart skipped. “Jerry…?”

“I’m tired of pretending that i love you,” he muttered with a smug look.

A knot tightened in my stomach. “What?”

He chuckled softly, and that sound…Cold, unfamiliar_sent a chill through me.

“I dated you because i needed access to everything your parents left behind.”

My breath hitched. “No…”

He shrugged. “You were the easiest way in.”

“No.” I stepped back. “You are lying,” I said, my voice cracking.

“Well, but it is,” he said calmly.

His words like a dagger stabbed deep into my chest. “You loved me…you told me you did.”

He scoffed. “I told you what you wanted to hear.”

The room suddenly felt too small, too difficult to breathe in.

“And honestly,” he continued, “I also thought I'd get something else out of it.”

My fingers trembled. “What…?

He leaned closer, voice dropping. “I thought you'd at least be a virgin. But you turned out to be disappointing.”

I froze. His words struck harder than a slap. For several seconds, I couldn't hear anything. Couldn't think.

I grabbed his shirt with trembling hands. “How could you say something like that? Jerry, i loved you! I trusted you…I gave you everything!”

He looked at my hands with disgust. “Get your filthy hands off me.” He shoved me back. I stumbled, barely catching my balance.

“Please, Jerry. Don't do this,” my voice broke, tears streamed down my cheeks.

“I already did,” he said flatly. Then he turned away, completely indifferent. “I have someone i love. She'll be moving in soon.”

“Someone else? You're replacing me already?” I asked.

Without hesitation, he answered, “Yes.”

The words hit harder than anything else as i felt something inside me collapse.

“So pack your things and get out.”

I stood there for several seconds, then bent and picked up the letter i had dropped before forcing my feet toward the stairs. Each step felt heavier than the last.

Inside the bedroom, I quietly pulled out my things. Folded, pack. Then i opened the bottom drawer, my fingers brushed against something familiar.

A small velvet box. I stared at it for a long moment, before i slowly opened it. Inside rested a folded jewelry sketch. My fingertips traced the paper, as thousand memories threatened to surface. “Not yet,” I whispered.

Some secrets were safer buried. Closing the box, I slipped it into my luggage before zipping everything shut. Dragging my luggages downstairs.

Jerry didn't even look up from his phone. I stopped to look at him. “Are you absolutely sure this is what you want?”

Finally, he looked at me. “Yes.” voice firm.

Cutting the last thread of hope i had.

A bitter smile curled on my lips. “Then i hope you never regret it.”

Without another word, I dragged my luggages toward the door. I didn't cry, not anymore. The moment I stepped outside, my phone vibrated. An unknown caller. The caller ID displayed only two words.

L. Headquarters. I stared at the screen, my fingers tightened around the phone. After several seconds…i pressed decline. “This isn't the time,”I whispered.

But immediately my phone vibrated again, this time, it wasn't a call. It was a text." We found the person who stole your original designs." My steps came to an abrupt halt, causing my heart to skip. Then another message arrived, "The buyer is in Kyoto."

Slowly, I looked back at the house that had once been my home. A cold smile spread across my lips. "Jerry..." Looks like our game is only just beginning.

2 A Friend’s Warning Ignored

Jessica's POV

The cold night air hit my face as I dragged my luggages down the empty street. “Where do I even go from here?” I whispered.

For a moment, i simply stood there. Then one name came to my mind. Brenda. My best friend. I quickly pulled out my phone and dialed her number.

She answered on the first ring. “Hello, Jess?”

“Are you home?” My voice sounded hoarse.

There was a brief silence.

“What happened?,” she asked immediately.

“I will explain when i get there,” I replied.

“I'm waiting.”

Twenty minutes later, I stood outside Brenda's apartment. Before I could knock, the door flew open. “Jess!”

Her smile disappeared the moment she saw my swollen eyes and the luggages besides me. “What happened?”

“Can I come in first?” I said.

She stepped aside immediately. “Of course.”

The moment the door closed behind us, she turned to face me. “Sit.” I lowered myself onto the sofa. Then she handed me a glass of water. “Start talking.”

I stared at the glass for several seconds before speaking. “Jerry broke up with me.”

Brenda blinked. “... What?”

“He said he never loved me. He admitted he only dated me because of my parents inheritance.”

The glass slipped from Brenda's hand and landed on the carpet. “What did you just say?”

“He used me,” I continued, “He confessed to everything.” Brenda slowly sat beside me. “He said I wasn't useful anymore,” I said as my lips trembled.

Brenda's eyes widened. “That shameless bastard!”

“He already has another woman, and told me to leave the house because she's moving in,” I said.

For several seconds, Brenda couldn't speak. Then she suddenly stood up. “I knew it!” I looked up.

“I warned you about him, Jess.” She sighed heavily. “The first time I met him, something about him felt wrong. And I told you he looked like a man with hidden motives. But you defended him.”

“Yes, i remembered,” I whispered.

“You even told me I was overthinking it,”she said. And a bitter smile appeared on my lips.

Brenda shook her head. “I wasn't trying to ruin your relationship. I was only trying to protect you.”

“I'm sorry. I thought I was actually doing the right thing,” i whispered.

She looked at me for a long moment before pulling me into a hug. “ I’m not angry with you.”

The warmth of her embrace almost broke the wall I'd been trying to hold together.

“I'm sorry,” i whispered again. “I should have listened.”

“It's okay, it's over now,” she said, patting my back.

“No,” i said, as I slowly pulled away. “It's not.”

Brenda frowned. “What do you mean?”

I wiped away the tears on my face. “He stole my parents inheritance, my future and even mocked my dreams.”

Brenda clenched her fists. “Yes,I know.”

Then i continued, “But he didn't steal everything.” She looked confused. “I don't understand?”

I hesitated.

For years, I had kept one part of my life hidden from everyone. Even Brenda didn't know the full truth, there was a reason I had disappeared from the international jewelry scene. A reason I had abandoned the name that once shook the industry.

Not yet….It was too soon. I forced those memories back into the darkness. “Nothing,” I said quietly.

Brenda studied my face. “Jess….”

“I have cried enough,” I said.

“Then what are you going to do?,” she asked, her curiosity piqued.

I looked up, my eyes hardened. “I'm taking back everything that belongs to me.”

Brenda searched my eyes. “How?”

A small smile appeared on my lips. “The same way Jerry played his game….,” my voice low, steady. “I will play mine.”

Brenda’s face etched with worry. “Jess, don't do anything reckless.”

“I won't. But revenge changes people, I'm already changing,” i whispered.

She fell silent. After a long pause, she asked softly, “So…what's your first move?”

I didn't answer immediately, I just walked toward the window and stared at the glittering lights of Kyoto. “ I don't Know. but one thing is certain, I'm taking all step by step.”

Brenda froze. “Jess…?”

I smiled without turning around. The city had taken everything from me, Now it would watch me take everything back.

Chapter 3 The Proposal

Jessica's POV

The next morning, I woke up feeling as though i hadn't slept at all. Every time I closed my eyes, Jerry's words echoed in my head. “You're no longer useful to me.”

I squeezed my eyes shut before forcing myself out of bed.

“No,” I whispered to my reflection as I stood before the mirror after getting dressed. “You don't get to break me.” I took a deep breath. “Jessica Addams…today is the first day you start taking your life back.”

With that, I grabbed my handbag and left Brenda's apartment.

By nine o’clock, I was already at the jewelry company. The familiar scent of polished wood and fresh coffee greeted me as I entered the design department.

“Morning, Jessica! Congratulations again on your promotion. You deserve it,” my colleagues said.

I smiled politely. “Thank you.” The smile on my face were convincing enough. No one would ever guess that less than twenty-four hours ago, I had lost my home…my relationship and nearly everything I owned.

I sat before my computer and opened the latest necklace collection I had been designing.

The elegant curves, the balance of gemstones, the intricate details…

Jewelry had always been the one place where my heart remained honest. My phone vibrated.

Brenda: have you eaten?” A small smile found my lips. “Already at work” I typed.

Her reply came almost immemdiately. “You are unbelievable.

“I will survive,”I messaged.

“ Let's meet up later, for lunch. No excuses.” She messaged again.

“Fine,” I typed back before slipping the phone back into my pocket.

As i looked at the design on my screen, my fingers paused over the mouse. The pendant…it resembled one of the earliest concepts I had created years ago.

Back then, no, I closed the file immediately. That part of my life no longer existed or at least that was what everyone believed.

By Afternoon, I and Brenda met at Zadmak Spicy Restaurant. The restaurant buzzed with conversations and clinking glasses.

I sat by the window, untouched food in front of me, fingers wrapped around a glass of water I hadn't tasted.

“Jessica, you need to eat,” Brenda said.

“You go ahead and eat, Brenda. I'm not hungry,” I whispered.

“But you need to eat. You've barely eaten since yesterday,” Brenda persuaded, tone laced with concern.

“And i said I'm not hungry. I'm fine.”

She sighed. “You said that yesterday too.”

“I wasn't lying. I will be fine,” I muttered. But Brenda wasn't the type who takes no for an answer without a tangible reason. Then she asked, “When?”

“The day Jerry regrets it,” I replied.

Brenda leaned forward. “And how exactly are you planning to do that?”

Just as i wanted to answer, movement near the private dining area caught my attention. A tall man walked in, and every conversation around him seemed to lower without anyone asking.

His expression calm. Unreadable. Wrapped in a perfectly tailored black suit.

Power seemed to follow him effortlessly. My eyes narrowed. “Who is he?”

Brenda followed my gaze. “You seriously don't know him?”

“No, i don't,” I replied, my gaze still fixed on him.

“That's Alexander Knight. I'm surprised that you are the only one who doesn't recognize him.”

I paused. Alexander Knight? The CEO of global tech company?,” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Brenda nodded.

My grip tightened slightly around the glass, as my head did an arithmetic calculation.

“Hmm…this means power, connections, access. Everything that i need. This is it, Jessica. Go try your luck, you wouldn't want to miss this opportunity, would you?” My mind screamed at me. Then a faint smile grease my lips.

Brenda noticed the change in my expression, she grabbed my wrist. “I know that smile, don't even think about it.”

“I don't know what you are talking about. Think about what exactly?,” I pretended.

Brenda frowned slightly. “That look on your face says it all, so don't even try to play dumb with me.”

“I will be right back,” I whispered softly, leaving.

“Jessica.”

“I won't cause trouble,” I said.

“Don't, Jessica__”

Ignoring her protest, I walked toward his table. He didn't look up. “Hi, excuse me,” I said.

But no response. I exhaled softly. “Mr Knight.”

Then his gray eyes lifted slowly, sharp, cold, assessing. “...Do i know you?”

I shook my head. “Then you have ten seconds, and straight to the point,” he said flatly.

“I’d like to discuss a business proposal.”

“That's one second wasted,” he said. “I'm having lunch.”

“It concerns something you've been searching for,” I said.

That made him paused. “What exactly have i been searching for?”

I met his gaze without flinching. “Lumiere.”

Immediately the indifference in his expression shifted, only slightly but i noticed. “Sit.”

I took the seat opposite him.

“Who are you?” He asked.

“Jessica Addams,” I answered.

“ I asked who you are,” he said.

“I already answered.” His gaze remained fixed on mine. “You mentioned a name very few people know.”

I smiled. “I know.”

“How?” h asked.

“I've worked in this industry long enough to know what people are looking for,” I replied. He didn't respond. Instead, he leaned back again. “Go on.”

Then i continued, “I know you've been trying to find Lumiere and I also know why.”

His eyes narrowed. “Tell me.”

“You believe finding Lumiere will give Global tech an advantage in the luxury market,” I said.

A faint smile appeared on his face. “You have done your homework.”

“I always do,” I muttered.

“And what do you want?” He asked.

“I want a fake marriage.”

He blinked once, then laughed softly. “I beg your pardon?”

“I want you to marry me. It will be just a one year agreement with no strings attached and once it's expires, we'll both go our separate ways. Also i won't interfere in your personal life,” I said without hesitation.

Alexander stared at me like i have just entertained him. “Really? And in return?”

I nodded then continued, “We both get something we need.”

He studied me carefully. “I don't make life changing decisions with strangers.”

“Neither do i,” I said sincerely.

“Then why propose one?” He asked.

“Because ordinary solutions won't solve extraordinary problems.”

The corner of his mouth lifted. “You speak confidently.”

“I speak after thinking.”

“And what exactly do you think I gain from marrying you,” He asked.

I folded my hands neatly on the table. “I can't promise to introduce you to Lumiere. But i can promise something just as valuable.”

His expression hardened. “What?”

“When the time is right…I'll make sure you understand why that name matters,”I added.

Alexander remained silent. Then, a waiter approached. “Sir, should I clear the table?”

“Leave us,” he ordered. The waiter immediately stepped away. Several moments passed, before Alexander finally spoke. “I don't know whether you're courageous or…reckless.”

“I have been called both,” I whispered.

“And if i refuse?” He asked, staring at me deeply.

I smiled faintly. “Then i walk away.”

“Are you sure? No drama? No begging? And you'd simply accept it?” He asked.

I shook my head. “Yes.”

He watched me for another long moment, then reached into his pocket and placed a business card on the table. “My private number.”

I looked at it without touching it.

“I haven't agreed,” he said. “But i haven't rejected your proposal either.”

“I know,” i answered. Then our eyes met.

“If i decide you are wasting my time…” His voice calm. “You will never get a second chance.”

I picked up the card. “I understand,”i said, and stood up. “So do we have an agreement?”

“We have….” He paused, “..a conversation that isn't finished.”

I nodded. “Alright, i will wait.”

As I walked back toward Brenda, I could feel his eyes following me.

“What happened?” Brenda asked immediately.

I slipped the card into my purse. “He didn't say yes.”

“He didn't?” Brenda asked.

I smiled. “But he didn't say no either.”

Derek, approached Alexander. “Should I investigate her, sir?”

Alexander looked toward the entrance where I had just disappeared into the afternoon crowd. “Yes,” he said, and picked up his untouched coffee. “Find out everything.”

Derek nodded. “And if she really knows something about Lumiere?”

Alexander's gray eyes darkened. “Then Jessica Addams has just become the most interesting woman in Kyoto.”