Chapter 3 · His Secretary, My Spy

My dad couldn't say no to me, so he had no choice but to give in.

He said, "Leona, I don't expect you to marry someone from the same social circle. I only want you to be with someone who genuinely cares about you.

"I can support him, but you need to make sure you know whether he's truly a good man or just pretending to be one."

For the first two years of our marriage, Cyrus treated me with genuine care.

He remembered every anniversary, cooked for me, and never left my side when I was sick.

His business boomed, and he soon became a respected wealthy businessman. I, as his wife, became the one everyone envied.

I thought I had found Mr. Right.

But about a year ago, my dad's company faced a crisis when an important partner from the Sorano region unilaterally broke their contract.

My dad was overwhelmed, but Cyrus volunteered to help, saying he knew a senior executive at the other company and could mediate.

Cyrus spent two weeks in the Sorano region and returned with great news.

The contract was saved.

Everyone in the family sang his praises, and my dad finally let his guard down, starting to favor Cyrus with even more of the company's core resources.

I felt honored, convinced that Cyrus was the most capable man on earth.

But later, I happened to stumble upon some undeleted emails on his old phone.

One of them was an email Cyrus had sent to the CEO of the Sorano partner company.

In it, he laid out all the financial loopholes and technical shortcomings of my dad's company, and suggested that if the CEO played along—first breaking the contract, then signing a new one—Cyrus could use the whole act to win more trust and authority within the Tanner Group.

In return, he promised to gradually hand over the Tanner Group's core technology to them under the guise of "cooperation."

The email was sent right before Cyrus left for Sorano.

It turned out the whole crisis was nothing but a scheme he orchestrated from beginning to end.

He used my father's trust and exploited my love, turning the Tanner family into nothing more than a stepping stone for his own ambitions.

In that moment, my heart turned to ice.

Without making a fuss, I secretly backed up all the evidence.

Then I went to find my dad.

He sat in silence for what felt like ages after reading everything. Finally, he said, "Leona, whatever you decide, I've got your back."

And that was how Judith entered the scene.

Judith was the daughter of my dad's most trusted assistant. She had just graduated from a top business school overseas, and she was sharp, quick on her feet, and loyal.

For three months, I groomed her into the perfect candidate: an impressive background, outstanding abilities, but still carrying that air of innocence and inexperience.

Then, through a seemingly random job fair, she seamlessly joined Cyrus's company.

Cyrus, with his oversized ego, always had a soft spot for young women who were not only talented but also idolized him.

True to form, Judith became his right-hand secretary and the person he trusted most, all within just half a year.

Now, it was time to reel it all in.

On the TV screen, the host was announcing the results of the bid.

The host said, "After careful deliberation by the committee, I am pleased to announce that the winner of the Starview Square commercial complex project is the Tanner Group!"

The Tanner Group was my dad's company.

I picked up my cup of coffee and took a gentle sip.

I could imagine the look of shock and disbelief on Cyrus's face right now.

He must be wondering how his carefully crafted, foolproof "Plan B" could have been snatched away by the Tanner Group.

He might suspect there was a mole in his company, but he would never suspect Judith, the one he trusted most.

He would think he was out of luck, or that the Tanner Group was simply too powerful.

*****

At 10 PM, the villa door burst open from outside.

Cyrus stormed in, reeking of alcohol, his tie crooked and his eyes bloodshot.

As soon as he walked in, he slammed his briefcase onto the floor, sending papers flying everywhere.

"Why is it Harvey Tanner?" Cyrus roared, furious.

He was like a trapped beast, growling in frustration.

Harvey was my father.

I stood up from the couch and walked over, wanting to help him out of his jacket.

But he shoved my hand away so hard that I stumbled back.

"Don't touch me!" Cyrus snapped.

He stared me down, demanding, "Was it you? Did you say something to your dad?"

Chapter 3

My dad couldn't say no to me, so he had no choice but to give in.

He said, "Leona, I don't expect you to marry someone from the same social circle. I only want you to be with someone who genuinely cares about you.

"I can support him, but you need to make sure you know whether he's truly a good man or just pretending to be one."

For the first two years of our marriage, Cyrus treated me with genuine care.

He remembered every anniversary, cooked for me, and never left my side when I was sick.

His business boomed, and he soon became a respected wealthy businessman. I, as his wife, became the one everyone envied.

I thought I had found Mr. Right.

But about a year ago, my dad's company faced a crisis when an important partner from the Sorano region unilaterally broke their contract.

My dad was overwhelmed, but Cyrus volunteered to help, saying he knew a senior executive at the other company and could mediate.

Cyrus spent two weeks in the Sorano region and returned with great news.

The contract was saved.

Everyone in the family sang his praises, and my dad finally let his guard down, starting to favor Cyrus with even more of the company's core resources.

I felt honored, convinced that Cyrus was the most capable man on earth.

But later, I happened to stumble upon some undeleted emails on his old phone.

One of them was an email Cyrus had sent to the CEO of the Sorano partner company.

In return, he promised to gradually hand over the Tanner Group's core technology to them under the guise of "cooperation."

The email was sent right before Cyrus left for Sorano.

It turned out the whole crisis was nothing but a scheme he orchestrated from beginning to end.

He used my father's trust and exploited my love, turning the Tanner family into nothing more than a stepping stone for his own ambitions.

In that moment, my heart turned to ice.

Without making a fuss, I secretly backed up all the evidence.

Then I went to find my dad.

He sat in silence for what felt like ages after reading everything. Finally, he said, "Leona, whatever you decide, I've got your back."

And that was how Judith entered the scene.

Judith was the daughter of my dad's most trusted assistant. She had just graduated from a top business school overseas, and she was sharp, quick on her feet, and loyal.

For three months, I groomed her into the perfect candidate: an impressive background, outstanding abilities, but still carrying that air of innocence and inexperience.

Then, through a seemingly random job fair, she seamlessly joined Cyrus's company.

Cyrus, with his oversized ego, always had a soft spot for young women who were not only talented but also idolized him.

True to form, Judith became his right-hand secretary and the person he trusted most, all within just half a year.

Now, it was time to reel it all in.

On the TV screen, the host was announcing the results of the bid.

The host said, "After careful deliberation by the committee, I am pleased to announce that the winner of the Starview Square commercial complex project is the Tanner Group!"

The Tanner Group was my dad's company.

I picked up my cup of coffee and took a gentle sip.

I could imagine the look of shock and disbelief on Cyrus's face right now.

He must be wondering how his carefully crafted, foolproof "Plan B" could have been snatched away by the Tanner Group.

He might suspect there was a mole in his company, but he would never suspect Judith, the one he trusted most.

He would think he was out of luck, or that the Tanner Group was simply too powerful.

*****

At 10 PM, the villa door burst open from outside.

Cyrus stormed in, reeking of alcohol, his tie crooked and his eyes bloodshot.

As soon as he walked in, he slammed his briefcase onto the floor, sending papers flying everywhere.

"Why is it Harvey Tanner?" Cyrus roared, furious.

He was like a trapped beast, growling in frustration.

Harvey was my father.

I stood up from the couch and walked over, wanting to help him out of his jacket.

But he shoved my hand away so hard that I stumbled back.

"Don't touch me!" Cyrus snapped.

He stared me down, demanding, "Was it you? Did you say something to your dad?"