Chapter 3

"H... Hi, Mrs. Linwood." Ryan stammered.

His voice was shaky, and even addressed me Mrs. Linwood.

I didn't say a word.

I just took off my sunglasses and gave him a slow, scrutinizing gaze from head to toe.

He squirmed under my stare, sweat gathering on his forehead.

"I-Is there something I can help you?" he stammered.

He stammered out the question, barely able to get the words out.

I turned off the engine and stepped out of the car.

My high heels clicked sharply against the concrete.

In the empty parking lot, each step echoed like a drumbeat pounding in his heart.

I walked right up to him and stood firm, not giving him any room to breathe.

We were standing so close.

His cheap cologne was practically invading my senses.

"Who put you up to this?" I cut straight to the chase.

My voice was low, no nonsense, and icy cold.

Ryan's eyes darted away, too scared to meet my gaze.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about." he stammered.

"You don't know?"

I let out a low, chilling laugh.

"Do you need me to spell it out for you?"

"Yesterday, in the staff cafeteria, at my reserved spot."

His face went even paler.

"T-That was a misunderstanding. I really didn't know it was you.." he stammered.

"Oh, really?"

I cut him off before he could finish.

"I don't have patience for nonsense,

"Let me ask you one more time. Who put you up to this?"

He gritted his teeth, refusing to back down.

"No one told me to do it. Sorry I didn't recognize you." he insisted.

"Fine." I nodded.

"So, I guess you're not planning to say anything."

I took out my phone from my bag, not even sparing him a glance as I began to operate it.

"I was actually planning to give you a chance,

"After all, you're still young. You've got your whole life ahead of you."

"But since you refused to take the easy way and insist on making things difficult, don't blame me for what happens next."

Ryan's eyes were glued to me, nervous as hell.

"W-What are you planning to do?" he stammered, his voice trembling.

"Nothing." I replied.

I slipped my phone back into my bag, looked up at him, and smirked with an icy smile.

"Do you really think Andrew fired you just because you pissed me off?" I asked, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

He froze, caught off guard. "Isn't that why?"

"Of course not." I replied.

I slowly adjusted my collar, making sure every fold was perfect.

"He made you pack your bags because you messed up and let his secret slip,

"Not only did you fail to embarrass me, you actually made me start suspecting something,

"So, what do you think he'll do to a fool who ruined his game?"

Ryan was panicking now.

He knew better than anyone just how ruthless Andrew could be.

"I-I was wrong, Mrs. Linwood! I really messed up!"

He looked like he was about to break down in tears.

"Tell me, who put you up to this?"

There wasn't a shred of warmth in my tone.

"Then pack your things, get out of this city, and never come back,

"Otherwise, I can't guarantee you'll see the sun tomorrow." I said, my voice cold as ice.

He completely lost it.

"I-It was Director White, Vivian White."

Vivian White. Head of Marketing.

The youngest female executive in the company. A renowned force of nature, fiercely competent.

Andrew's right hand.

I'd seen her a few times at the company gala.

She was stunning, and when she smiled, those two little dimples made her look sweet and innocent, like she couldn't hurt a fly.

So, it was her all along.

"What did she tell you to do?"

"S-She said you were just a housewife, never been out in the real world, and way too weak to handle anything,

"She told me to give you a hard time in the cafeteria, hopefully make you angry enough to leave,

"And... she said she'll replace Mr. Linwood sooner or later." he stammered.

As I listened, my heart stayed steady.

No anger, only a cold finality.

Turns out, this is how they see me.

Weak, easy to bully, and never seen the real world.That's good.

I looked down at Ryan, who was now slumped on the ground, not a shred of pity in my gaze.