Chapter 1

During a crucial meeting with a major client, I stepped out for a quick bathroom break.

But Veronica, my fiancé Ryan's secretary, saw it as an excuse to fire me.

"This client is incredibly important! And you were in the bathroom for eight whole minutes! That's disrespectful to our client! The company has to fire you!"

I almost laughed. Didn't she know today's big client was my good friend?

"I'm on my period today. I'll explain it to the client. You don't need to meddle."

I shook off her hand, intending to head back to the office.

To my surprise, she was wearing ten-centimeter heels, lost her balance, and tumbled to the floor.

She glared up at me.

"How dare you push me? My dad is the CEO of Miller Corp, and I'll have him fire you right now!"

I froze.

My useless dad… when did he suddenly get another daughter?

I couldn't believe Veronica was audacious enough to threaten to fire me, all because I spent eight minutes in the bathroom.

What truly shocked me, though, was her brazen claim to be my father's daughter, right in front of me!

She was just a mere secretary; who gave her the guts to lie so openly?

Yet, many employees who overheard Veronica exchanged uneasy glances and whispered among themselves.

"No wonder Veronica became President Ryan's secretary the moment she joined the company! She has connections!"

"Miller Corp just became our biggest client. If we upset them, our company would go bankrupt in minutes. It's perfectly normal for the Miller heiress to come to our small company for a 'life experience'."

"VP Stella is in deep trouble this time!"

"The Sales Manager merely argued with Veronica the other day, and President Ryan fired him instantly. That just shows how important Veronica is to President Ryan."

As everyone murmured, Veronica slowly got to her feet.

She shot me a furious glare, her voice laced with menace.

"Stella, I'm giving you one chance."

"If you get down on your knees and apologize to me, I'll pretend this never happened…"

Before she could finish, I cut her off impatiently.

"If you're not well, go get checked out. Don't waste my time here. Move!"

I was tired of dealing with her.

My impression of Veronica was already terrible. Days ago, when I was away on a business trip, she'd just joined the company, and Ryan promoted her to his secretary that very day.

I voiced my concerns, but Ryan just shrugged helplessly. "You'll be away for about a week. I'm the only one left in charge here, and things are too much to handle. I temporarily made Veronica my secretary to help lighten the load."

"When you get back, if her work isn't up to par, we can just find a new secretary, right?"

Veronica's behavior today practically screamed "arrogant and overbearing."

Someone like her absolutely couldn't stay in the company.

Good thing the executives were having a meeting today. I'd just announce her dismissal later.

Lost in these thoughts, I reached out to push past Veronica, who was blocking the conference room door.

But that's when it happened.

My hand hadn't even touched her, when she let out a piercing shriek.

At the same time, she wildly flailed her hand, and a sharp slap landed squarely on my face.

Then, she dramatically stumbled against the conference room door, crashing to the floor inside.

The entire performance made it look like I had violently shoved her into the room.

I had to admit, Veronica was quite the actress.

Playing the victim while simultaneously slapping me — it only strengthened my resolve to kick her out of the company.

However, what unfolded next completely caught me off guard.

The executives, who were mid-meeting, gasped, staring at me and Veronica on the floor with bewildered expressions.

Ryan's face contorted in a furious grimace. He lunged forward, and in a flash, slapped me across the face.

I was stunned!

Ryan and I had been together for years. This was the first time he'd ever laid a hand on me, and it was all because of another woman.

His face etched with concern, Ryan tenderly helped the feigning, delicate Veronica to her feet, then turned to me, roaring:

"Stella, what the hell is wrong with you?"

"How dare you touch Veronica? Are you out of your mind?"

"What are you waiting for? Get over here and grovel for an apology!"

I stared at Ryan, incredulous. "Apologize for what?" I shot back.

"Do you even know what just happened?"

"Ryan, you just blindly hit me for her sake, you—"

Before I could finish, Veronica, still feigning vulnerability, spoke to Ryan.

"President Ryan, VP Stella was in the bathroom for eight minutes. I just told her about the company's new policy, as you instructed, but she attacked me before I even finished."

"I know VP Stella doesn't like me, but she can't just violently assault me like this!"

"My dad never even laid a hand on me growing up. If he finds out I was hit here, he'll be furious!"

Veronica's last statement instantly made Ryan and the executives tense up.

Ryan whirled on me, yelling:

"Stella, I'm ordering you right now: apologize to Veronica immediately, or you can expect to be fired!"