Chapter 1

After I finished my Ph.D., my cousin Andrew Monroe begged me to come back and help out at his company.

When I arrived at the company, his wife Emily Monroe sat down and said, "You passed the interview."

I thought Andrew had already put in a good word for me.

But Emily said smugly, "You're the only one who didn't stare at my husband's photo when you walked in."

Emily warned, "Let me warn you, my husband is way more handsome than he looks in that photo. If you ever cross the line, I'll kick you out like the others."

Emily went on, "And even if my husband ever shows interest in you, you're a pit stop, while I'm his real home. Got it?"

Just as I was left speechless by her words, Andrew sent me a voice message: "Hey, sis, come work at my company. I'll treat you like royalty."

The air suddenly went dead silent.

A few seconds later, Emily snatched my phone, her face twisting with rage. "Oh, you've got some nerve. Trying to seduce my husband and then parading it right in front of me.

"I knew it. Every woman who comes to interview at my husband's company is all here for my husband.

"Don't think I don't see through you little bitch. You're all trying to climb the ladder by seducing the boss, aren't you?"

I stared at her, a bit stunned.

I'd heard the Monroe Family's new bride was a delicate little princess, but I never thought she'd be this over the top, treating that slick guy Andrew like he's some priceless treasure.

Emily was getting more and more agitated; she was practically hyperventilating.

I quickly snatched my phone back, trying to explain, "You've got it all wrong. Andrew is really my brother..."

But that only made her angrier. She put her hands on her hips and snapped, "Are you explaining now? Planning to act as a pick-me girl?"

Emily scoffed, "No wonder my husband keeps telling me not to come to work because he's worried I'll get exhausted. Turns out he's afraid I'll get riled up by clueless homewreckers like you."

With that, she stormed over to the office door, flung it open, and shouted down the hallway, "Where's HR? Get your ass in here."

Soon, a woman in her forties or fifties came running over, looking panicked. "Mrs. Monroe, what's wrong?"

Before she could finish, Emily flung the pen straight at the woman's face.

"How did you even hire her?" Emily pointed right at her nose and snapped, "Didn't I tell you not to bring in any woman with bad intentions toward my husband?

"If you make me sick with anger, you'd better watch out. My husband will come for you."

The HR woman panicked, shot me a quick look, and blurted out, "Mrs. Monroe, I didn't hire her.

"You know, all the women I bring in are over thirty-five, and they have to be married with kids."

Then she jabbed a finger at me and snapped, "Who the hell are you? Can't you read or are you blind? Why are you barging into someone else's company?

"Apologize to Mrs. Monroe right now, and then get out."

I instinctively took a step back, frowning. "Andrew Monroe brought me in himself. If you don't believe me, I can call him right now."

But as I picked up my phone, Emily reached out and knocked it to the floor.

She glared at me, her eyes full of venom. "My husband hired you himself?

"Oh, so you're admitting it now? You're his little side chick, huh?

Emily taunted, "What, you think you can call him to come save you now? Too late."

My heart sank. "What are you trying to do?" I asked.

"Didn't Andrew tell you that I'm the heiress of Johnson Holdings?" I warned, "If you dare touch me, he'll make you pay."