Chapter 3

"Vivian Moore!" Alexander snarled, biting out each syllable through clenched teeth.

"Do whatever you want at home—no one gives a damn!

"But don't even think about touching anything in my company.

"This isn't the place for your crazy stunts."

Staring at his livid face, I grinned and picked up the contract.

Page by page, I shredded it into tiny pieces.

Then, I tossed the shredded bits up in the air.

The confetti-like pieces fluttered down, landing on Alexander and Emily.

That was the last straw for Alexander. He lunged forward in a fit of rage.

He bellowed, "Vivian!!! What the hell are you up to? Have you completely lost it?"

I took a step back, the smile fading from my lips.

"Lost it? Alexander, I'd say you're the one who's off your rocker."

I glared at him, all traces of playfulness gone from my eyes.

"I'm the one who clinched this deal. Now that I'm ticked off, I'm trashing it. What's the big deal?"

This project had been stuck forever; the other side was as stubborn as a mule, and Alexander was tearing his hair out over it.

Fortunately, the client's project head was William Watson, an old friend of my father who'd watched me grow up.

I gave him a call, dropped a hint about Alexander's company, and asked if he could cut them some slack.

William didn't hesitate to agree.

Later, Emily was the one who went through the motions and got the contract signed.

Alexander snorted, disbelief written all over his face. "You got this? Vivian, you're really reaching with that lie.

"Emily slaved over this project for over a month. She put in long hours, day in and day out, preparing mountains of materials.

"And now you come in, tear up the contract, and have the nerve to claim it was you? You've got some nerve!"

Emily started sniveling right on cue.

She looked up at Alexander, tears streaming down her face.

"Mr. Grant, I've been working on this project for weeks, staying up late every night, putting together piles of documents..."

"I know Mrs. Grant doesn't like me, but... but she can't just accuse me out of nowhere and pretend all my hard work meant nothing..."

Her shoulders shook as she cried, like the world was ending for her.

For the first time, I actually bothered to look Emily straight in the eye.

"Oh? You claim you landed it?" I drawled, pure sarcasm in my voice.

Emily's sobbing hit pause for a moment.

I pressed, not letting up. "Then tell me, how did you pull it off? Where's the project proposal? Go ahead, show me.

"Or better yet, why don't you call Mr. Watson at Kenton Company right now and ask him—did he sign with you, or was it all for my sake?"

Emily's face went ghostly pale in an instant.

She opened her mouth, looking helplessly at Alexander, but just stammered, unable to get a single word out.

I let out a mocking laugh. "Ha! Taking credit for something you didn't do. Ms. Lane, you've got some gall.

"As a secretary, you're no good at your job and spend all your time on dodgy schemes."

I gave her a once-over, eyeing that absurdly short, body-hugging dress and those fishnet stockings.

I continued, my tone dripping with sarcasm, "Dressing like that for work—who are you trying to seduce?

"Or do you really think you can land a contract just by using your body?

"Who the hell wears fishnets to the office and calls themselves a professional?

"Do you actually think you're some kind of seductive little wildcat?"

I caught sight of my necklace, part of it still dangling from her ankle.

"And seriously, who do you think you are, turning my necklace into an anklet? Take it off. Now!" I snapped, my voice sharp and cold.

Emily flinched, and Alexander immediately stepped in front of her, shielding her.

"Vivian! Don't go too far!" Alexander snapped, his voice sharp with anger.

Fed up with the nonsense, I just motioned to my assistant. "Take that necklace off her ankle."

Emily let out a shrill scream and tried to back away, but the assistant grabbed her and yanked the necklace off.

The assistant then handed it to me.

I grimaced in disgust. "Trash it. It's a piece of junk."

Turning to Alexander, I snapped, "Fire her. Now. I don't want to ever lay eyes on this woman in the company again."

Alexander's chest was heaving with anger. "Vivian, you're being totally nuts! Emily's a hard worker and great at her job.

"Why should I fire her just because of your personal grudge?"

He glared at me, eyes blazing with fury.

I asked again, my voice calm and steady, "So, you're refusing to fire her?"

Alexander retorted defiantly, "Yes! I won't fire Emily, ever!

"She's done nothing wrong! You're the problem here! You're the one causing all this drama!

"Now! Get out of here, and take your damn zoo with you!

"If you don't move, don't blame me—I'll have security drag you out myself!"

I let out a bitter laugh. "Fine. Alexander, mark my words—you haven't seen anything yet. Don't come crying when you regret this."

I spun around and started to leave, but before I could take more than a couple of steps, the security guards Alexander had called blocked my path.

Clearly, they'd been ordered to "escort" me out—more like kick me out.

"Get out of my way!" I yelled, struggling against them.

But in the end, I was manhandled and hauled out.

"Alexander, you bastard! Let go of me! You'll regret this! I'm not done with you!" I screamed, my voice echoing through the office.

Everyone stopped to watch the show as I was dragged out, kicking and screaming.

Alexander just stood there, not giving a damn as I was hauled off. Emily was right next to him, looking way too pleased with herself.

Once I got back to the villa, I stormed into the walk-in closet and started stuffing my clothes and stuff into a suitcase haphazardly.

Then I pulled out my phone and called my dad, Vincent Moore.

Fighting back tears, I spilled the beans about what had happened today and all the past grievances.

"I can't take it anymore! I'm done—I want a divorce!" I sobbed, my voice shaking with anger and frustration.

Vincent's angry voice came through the phone. "Vivian, sweetheart, don't cry. I'm overseas right now, but I'll be wrapping up this project by tomorrow.

"Once I'm back, I promise—I'll stand up for you and make things right."