Chapter 2

Early the next morning, Fiona arrived at the office to submit her resignation letter.

As soon as she stepped out of the elevator, she was greeted by a buzz of chatter coming from the office area.

Giselle was in the middle of the crowd, wearing a pink dress.

"Thank you all for your hard work. I made these snacks myself to treat everyone. Come try some," she said.

Her voice was soft, and her smile friendly. "I hope we can be friends from now on."

"Mrs. Rycroft, you're too kind," someone called out.

"Mr. Rycroft is really lucky to have a wife like you," another person chimed in.

"Word is you and Mr. Rycroft did long-distance for five years, and now you're finally together. Congrats," someone else added.

Watching all this, Fiona couldn't help but think how ironic it all was.

Seriously? Five years of long-distance? She was the one with Damon all that time.

If it weren't for her, Giselle wouldn't be playing his wife right now.

Not in the mood to deal with all that, Fiona skirted around the crowd, wanting to go find Damon.

She hadn't gone far when Giselle's cold voice called out from behind her. "So, you're the secretary, Ms. Drake?"

Giselle walked over, giving her a look that said she was in charge. "Damon talks about you all the time; he says you're quite the asset."

Fiona forced a smile. "Thank you, Ms. Hart."

"Ms. Hart? Everyone else calls me Mrs. Rycroft, and you go with Ms. Hart?" Giselle said with a mocking smile.

"I've heard you don't act like just another employee around here, more like you're the lady of the house, isn't that right?" she added.

"It's all just rumors. I hope you don't get the wrong idea, Mrs. Rycroft," Fiona replied calmly.

"Well, I'm feeling a bit thirsty. Ms. Drake, be a dear and make me a cup of coffee, freshly brewed by hand," Giselle said, her tone deliberately commanding.

At her words, the employees nearby started gossiping and exchanging glances.

Everyone knew that even though Fiona was the secretary, she never had to bother with petty chores like this.

Damon had always spoiled her; she never had to lift a finger, not even for coffee or carrying files.

"Mrs. Rycroft, since you're pregnant, it's better not to drink coffee," Fiona said calmly, looking up. "I'm Mr. Rycroft's secretary. I only handle the work he assigns. Making coffee isn't part of my job description."

"Shut up. Who do you think you are, daring to lecture me?" Giselle snapped, and with a loud smack, she slapped Fiona hard across the face.

Fiona was dazed, her right cheek numb from the slap.

Just as Fiona was about to strike back, her wrist was suddenly seized in a vice-like grip; it was Damon.

Damon gripped her wrist tightly, his expression stormy. "Fiona, what do you think you're doing?"

"Didn't you see? She slapped me," Fiona shot back.

"Damon, your secretary was picking on me first. All I did was ask her to make me a cup of coffee, but she flat-out refused and even said I had no right to order her around.

"Everyone saw it. I just couldn't take it anymore." Giselle complained, sounding all pitiful.

Damon swept his gaze over the staff, and everyone rushed to agree, nodding like crazy. "Yeah, Ms. Drake wouldn't do it and told Mrs. Rycroft to ask someone else," someone piped up.

"Fiona, how dare you?" Damon snapped, shoving her so hard she lost her balance and fell to the floor.

Her knees hit the ground, the skin tearing open, a sharp pain stabbing through her.

But Damon didn't even look at her. Instead, he leaned down to soothe Giselle. "Giselle, don't get upset. You're pregnant. You can't let yourself get worked up. She was out of line. I'll teach her a lesson."

Then Damon shot Fiona a cold, merciless glare. "If one slap isn't enough, Giselle, keep going. Teach her a lesson."

Fiona stared at him, utterly stunned. "Damon, did you really just say that?"

"Oh, I don't know, Damon. I was just upset, that's all. Didn't you say Ms. Drake is super helpful to you? I really wouldn't dare offend her," Giselle said, feigning reluctance and looking all innocent.

Damon grabbed her hand, his voice cold. "Don't worry. Let me show you. Focus the force in your palm, and make it sharp and clean."

Smack.

The crisp slap rang out across the office. Before Fiona could even process what was happening, she was sent sprawling to the floor.