Chapter 2

Once I pulled myself together, I went straight to HR with my resignation letter.

Edward had made a big production of firing me, then brought me back just as publicly and even announced he'd personally oversee all my assignments from then on.

So when HR saw my letter, she hesitated.

"Maybe I should run this by Mr. Foster first?"

I stopped her quickly and pointed to the private seal on the letter—the one I'd stamped myself without Edward knowing.

I was the keeper of his seal. Might as well use my access for something worthwhile.

The moment she saw it, she processed everything without another word.

Resignation contract in hand, I took one last look at Edward's office and walked out without looking back.

To him, I was just another replaceable secretary.

Someone else would slide into my spot within hours, and he'd forget I ever existed.

The second I got downstairs, I collided with Edward.

I hid the contract behind my back instinctively, then noticed the woman beside him.

Edward frowned, annoyed. "Watch it. You almost bumped into Charlotte."

It clicked—this was Charlotte Evans, his fiancée.

She was sweet and elegant. Everything I wasn't. No wonder he liked her.

I started to apologize, but Edward's eyes locked onto my hand. "What's that?"

I shook my head nervously.

He reached for it, but Charlotte cut him off. "Edward, is this Ms. Wilcox you mentioned?"

Edward hesitated, then nodded.

Charlotte flashed me a sweet smile. "Nice to meet you, Ms. Wilcox."

I forced a smile back. "You too."

Suddenly, she looped her arm through Edward's. "Edward, since we're heading to a party anyway, why don't we bring Ms. Wilcox? I'd love to see her professional skills."

I opened my mouth to decline, but Edward tossed me his car keys.

"Just wait here," he said.

So I ended up at the party with them.

The moment we walked in, Edward's gaze stayed fixed on Charlotte.

He was all patience and warmth, helping her network, introducing her around—more thoughtful and gentle than he'd ever been with me.

Masking the pain in my eyes, I had barely settled into a corner when Charlotte appeared with a middle-aged man.

"Julia, this is Mr. Leigh. I heard you two know each other. Foster Group has a project coming up with him, so why not catch up and see if you can smooth things over?"

The moment I saw that middle-aged man, my blood ran cold.

Peter Leigh. The same man who'd tried to assault me when I was starting out. Even now, just seeing him made my skin crawl.

I shot Edward a desperate look, but he ignored me completely and pulled Charlotte behind him protectively.

"We'll leave you two to talk," he said.

With that, he walked away with Charlotte. I tried to follow, but Peter blocked me.

He reeked of alcohol, clearly wasted. His hand slid down my arm straight to my waist.

I shoved him off, fighting the urge to throw up, but that only made him angrier.

His hand shot to my throat, squeezing. Veins bulged in his neck as he leaned in close. "Don't be stupid. You should feel lucky I even want you."

With that, he licked his lips, eyes roaming over me.

His grip tightened, choking back my cry for help. All I could do was watch in terror as he moved closer.

In a split-second of pure desperation, I grabbed a wine glass and smashed it against his head.

As he passed out, I slumped against the wall, gasping, sweat pouring down my face.

I looked up and caught Charlotte's knowing gaze across the room. Then everything went black.