Chapter 3
I became the most mysterious new hire in the marketing department.
No one had a clue about my past.
All they knew was that the CEO himself called David Cole, the marketing director, and made sure he took me under his wing.
David handled me with kid gloves, never giving me any real work or daring to order me around.
My coworkers were all curious, and the rumor mill was in overdrive behind my back.
Some guessed I must have had some powerful backer.
Others whispered that I was Edward's other woman on the side.
After all, my timing was just too perfect.
I started on the exact same day Edward introduced Sophie as his wife.
I couldn't care less about all the gossip.
I just showed up on time every day, kept my head down, and focused on learning the ropes.
Edward was about to snap.
I could sense it in the air.
He started holding nonstop executive meetings, locking himself away in his office all day, barely showing his face.
He was too scared to even look at me.
If we bumped into each other in the hallway, he'd turn tail and bolt down another corridor like he'd just seen a ghost.
If we ended up in the same elevator, he'd stare at the floor, tense as a spring, refusing to meet my eyes.
Meanwhile, Sophie was enjoying her moment in the spotlight, basking in her newfound glory.
She was carrying the latest designer bags and wearing even more expensive jewelry.
Everyone in the company called her "Mrs. Grant."
Sophie started meddling in company affairs, throwing her weight around and nitpicking every department's work.
The marketing department quickly became her favorite target.
Every time she showed up, she always made sure to swing by my desk and look me up and down like she owned the place.
Then, making sure everyone could hear, she'd start loudly criticizing my work.
"Charlotte, this report's formatting is a mess. Do it over.
"This font is tiny. Are you trying to make everyone go blind?
"How did you even get hired? Even the interns could do a better job than you."
David stood off to the side, looking awkward but not daring to say a word.
Everyone in the office looked at me with pity.
I never argued back.
I just nodded to everything she said.
"Okay, Ms. White.
"I'll get right on it, Ms. White."
"Thanks for the pointers, Ms. White."
The more I played along, the more she strutted around like she owned the place.
She probably saw me as just another pretty wannabe, hoping to snag a spot at the top, only to get steamrolled by the official Mrs. Grant, the queen bee herself.
That afternoon, Sophie strutted in again.
She slammed a file down on my desk.
"Charlotte, Mr. Grant wasn't happy at all with this proposal. You'd better get it done today. He wants it on his desk first thing tomorrow." Her tone was all sharp edges and attitude.
I picked it up and took a look.
It was a brand-new project about developing that piece of land out west.
That land was actually owned by my family.
I'd planned to make it a gift for our third anniversary, to bring it into the company.
Now, it had become just another weapon for Sophie to make my life difficult.
This proposal was a mountain of work. There was no way I could finish it in just one night.
"Ms. White," I said calmly. "This much work in a single night..."
"What, you can't handle it?" Sophie cut me off, her voice slicing through the air. "If you can't do it, then get lost. This company doesn't pay slackers."
Everyone around me ducked their heads, pretending to be busy.
I looked at her face, all contorted with jealousy and smugness.
Suddenly, this all just felt pointless.
I nodded. "Alright, I'll do it."
Sophie gave a dismissive snort and strutted away in her high heels, like a victorious peacock showing off her win.
I spent the whole afternoon digging through the proposal materials.
Edward never showed his face the entire afternoon.
I knew Sophie was acting on her own.
And I also knew Edward was turning a blind eye.
Maybe this was his way of trying to force me out.
As long as I left the company and was out of the picture, he could just pretend none of this ever happened.
He could keep living in his own little delusion.
By the time night rolled around, the office was deserted.
I was the last one there.
In that empty building, the only thing breaking the silence was the sound of my fingers flying across the keyboard.
I didn't work on that proposal.
Instead, I opened an encrypted file and typed in a long, complicated password.
On the screen, Edward's complete financial history from the past few years was displayed, including every fund transfer between him and an offshore account.
I went through every single transaction, one by one.
The more I read, the colder my smile grew.
He was even greedier, and more foolish, than I'd ever imagined.
It was midnight.
My phone rang.
It was an unknown number.
I picked up.
On the other end was a voice, old but achingly familiar. "Is... is that Charlotte?"
It was Edward's mother, Lauren Grant.
"Lauren," I called softly.
"It's me," Lauren said, her voice weary and full of worry. "Charlotte, did something happen between you and Edward?"
My heart sank.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"Edward he just called me," she said, her voice trembling with worry. "He said that this weekend, he's bringing his 'girlfriend' home for dinner."
Her voice trembled with confusion and worry.
Lauren said, "I asked him about you, and he said you were on a business trip.
"But something just doesn't feel right. He's never said things like that before."
I went quiet.
Edward was really committed to playing out this charade.
He wasn't just after recognition at the company. He wanted his family's approval too.
He was planning to make Sophie the real Mrs. Grant, no more hiding, no more playing games.
"Charlotte, please, just tell me the truth," Lauren said, her voice trembling with tears. "What's the story with that woman? Is Edward out of his mind?"
I closed my eyes.
When I opened them again, everything felt sharp and clear.
"Lauren, don't worry," I said, my voice steady.
"Just stay home this weekend.
"When they arrive, don't say a word, don't do anything.
"Just act like you don't know that woman."
"And act like you don't know him, either."