When She Turns Her Back Novel

Chapter 428 Chapter 429 Troy answered the employee's question, saying they were just friends. Teresa wasn't surprised at all-she knew Troy well enough to predict exactly how he'd handle this kind of situation. The employee could tell Troy wasn't being totally upfront, but he didn't push it. Instead, he grinned and said, "But Mr. Hamilton, your friend is gorgeous. Any chance I could get to know her?" Before he could finish, Troy cut him off. "Is your work finished, or do you just have too much free time?" Hearing that, the employee could tell Troy was about to snap.

He quickly stammered, "I'm on it, Mr. Hamilton! Right away!" With that, he scurried off. Troy didn't stick around in the lobby either. He knew all too well that the place was crawling with people- every extra second he stayed was just asking for trouble. Once they were in the executive elevator, Troy didn't have time to look after Teresa. He kept his head down, tapping away on his phone, handling some urgent business. Teresa just watched him, saying nothing. The moment Teresa stepped out onto the executive floor, she spotted someone she knew-Melanie Harris.

Melanie was standing right by the elevator, rocking a tailored business suit, her makeup on point, and her whole look polished and professional. From the way she was posted up there, it was obvious she'd been waiting for Troy. Melanie's eyes widened for a split second when she saw Teresa come out of the elevator with Troy. But she quickly hid whatever she was feeling and gave Troy a professional smile. "Mr. Hamilton, are you done with your work?" "Yeah, I'm done," Troy replied. Even as he answered, Troy didn't spare Melanie a single glance.

Melanie was the heiress of the Harris family, but for Troy, she was willing to step down from her privileged position and work as his assistant. Over the years, Melanie had secretly dealt with countless women who tried to cozy up to Troy. But even after all that, she still couldn't make herself his official partner. But then there was Teresa. To Melanie, Teresa was just plain-average looks, average grades, and a regular family. So why did Troy treat her like she was something extraordinary?

་IIt 420 Melanie just couldn't wrap her head around it, and seeing Teresa now just made her even more upset. But she kept that dislike buried deep inside. Troy gently supported Teresa as they slowly walked into the office. Melanie stood behind them, watching Troy fuss over Teresa so carefully, and her heart clenched tight. Her eyes turned red as she thought bitterly to herself, 'I was born a true heiress, and yet for Troy, I ended up working as his secretary Always on call, juggling a million things-this job was a mess, but Melanie had stuck it out for years.

All this time, she'd always been the only woman around Troy, but now, things were different. Even after Troy admitted he liked Teresa, Melanie just couldn't let it go. After all these years of giving him everything, how could she just let all her hard work go up in smoke? By the time Melanie snapped out of it, she found herself hurrying after them into the executive office. When she walked in, she saw Troy helping Teresa settle into his own chair. Melanie had never even been allowed to sit there, but now Teresa just sat down as if she belonged there.

Teresa had barely sat down when Melanie walked in, and Troy immediately noticed. He turned to Melanie and said, "Melanie, could you make two coffees for us? Mine's the usual, and make Teresa's with extra sugar and milk." Melanie froze, staring at Troy in disbelief. She pointed at herself and stammered, "Mr. Hamilton, you... you want me to make coffee for her?" Troy just looked at her, his expression calm and indifferent. "Is there a problem?" Melanie had been Troy's secretary for years, and making tea or coffee was nothing new to her.

She'd always been willing to do it before, but only because Troy was talking business with clients or colleagues. But now, it wasn't about work at all-he was going out of his way for another woman. Melanie's eyes reddened, and she said, her voice full of grievance, "Mr. Hamilton, I'm not here just to serve drinks. Making coffee and tea isn't my only job." At this moment, Troy and Melanie were nothing more than boss and secretary. Troy replied, his tone cool and commanding, "Melanie, make no mistake about your position. It's still work hours, and you're my secretary.

If I ask you to do something, you're expected to do it." It wasn't that Troy was being harsh with Melanie-this was simply how things had always worked between them. After work, they could be friends, or the obedient children their families wanted. But on the clock, it was strictly boss and secretary. Melanie's eyes filled with tears, and she shot back without hesitation, "I'm not making coffee." Troy was about to scold her, but Teresa gently tugged his sleeve and whispered, "Troy, I don't want coffee.

Don't put her on the spot." Even though Teresa's voice was barely a whisper, Melanie had spent years navigating this world-she caught on right away. She couldn't make out Teresa's words, but just from her expression, Melanie knew Teresa was trying to plead for her. But Melanie didn't want that kind of favor. She snapped at Teresa, her voice shaking with anger, "Teresa, I don't need your fake sympathy. I don't need you to plead for me. It's because of you that things between Troy and me are like this now.

If you really cared about me, you'd just get lost..." Before Melanie could finish, Troy stepped in front of Teresa, his face dark and his eyes sharp as he fixed Melanie with a cold glare. His voice was low and icy as he warned, "Melanie, I never forced you to be my secretary. You were hired through proper channels. If you don't want the job, you can leave right now. But if you think you can insult Teresa, you have no right." "Troy, you jerk! You're scolding me again!" Melanie cried out, her voice cracking. She broke down completely, tears streaming down her face. Troy's face was cold as ice.

He didn't even look at Melanie-he just pointed toward the elevator and said, "Get out." Melanie stood there, frozen, staring at Troy in disbelief. "Troy, do you even know what you're saying?" "I'm fully aware of what I'm saying," Troy replied, his voice cold and steady. "Troy, you... you'll regret this," Melanie choked out, her voice trembling. With that, she ran out of the executive office, sobbing. Troy didn't call after her. He just let her go. As a secretary, Melanie was flawless at her job. But Troy couldn't tolerate it when she brought her personal feelings into the mix.

Ever since Xavier's birthday, Melanie had kept her head down and behaved herself, never once mentioning her feelings for Troy. So Troy let her stay on as his secretary. But now, she'd just blurted all that out in front of him and Teresa. Troy thought to himself, 'I can't let Melanie stay any longer.' Teresa watched Melanie run off, then looked up at Troy and gave him a gentle nudge. "Why don't you go after her?" Troy didn't even hesitate. "No." Teresa frowned. "But she's still your secretary..." Troy just shrugged, completely unfazed. "So what?

I don't keep anyone around who has divided loyalties." Teresa fell silent. She knew there was no use arguing with him. Once Troy made up his mind, no amount of talking could change it. After a moment of silence, Troy walked around to the back of Teresa's chair. He leaned down, protectively wrapping an arm around Teresa as he reached for the mouse and queued up a TV show. Once the show was playing, Troy grabbed a few snacks and set them down within Teresa's reach. "I'll be working over here. If you get bored, just watch TV and snack on these. When I'm done, we'll go out for dinner," he said.

Teresa's heart skipped a beat at how thoughtful he was. "Thank you," she said softly. When Troy heard her say thank you, he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, smiling softly at her. "Why are you thanking me? You know I'm supposed to take care of you." Teresa didn't reply, just drifted off, deep in her own thoughts. She never thought a guy could treat a girl this well. Even Charles with Naomi probably wasn't this attentive. And suddenly, Teresa found herself wanting to hold onto this rare warmth, not let it slip away.

Just like Troy said-if she didn't hold on to him now, was she really going to let him end up calling someone else his wife? He was such a great guy; it wouldn't be hard at all for him to find someone even better than her. Editorial board Editorial Board: Our editorial team works behind the scenes to refine each chapter, maintain consistency, and deliver the best reading experience.