Chapter 2

A secret? What secret?

I kept trying to call this number, but its line was busy every time.

Pushing aside my doubts for now, I drove to the office. There was still a ton of work waiting for me.

Today was the monthly board meeting.

As soon as I stepped into the conference room, I spotted Edward and Sophia.

Edward was sitting next to the head of the table with that arrogant look on his face.

Sophia was fussing over him, straightening his tie like she was the hostess.

On her wrist was that flashy diamond bracelet I'd had my eye on before—but Edward had said it was too gaudy and refused to buy it for me.

When I walked in, Edward barely lifted an eyelid, his voice dripping with a touch of vengeful glee.

He sneered, "Well, well. Didn't expect Ms. Linley to actually show up to work. Honestly, I figured you'd just stay home and cry your heart out."

Sophia gently coaxed him, her voice sweet and soft. "Edward, don't say things like that."

Then she turned to me with that innocent look. "Charlotte, I'm really sorry. It's all my fault. We've known each other since we were little, and we've always teased and joked with each other. I honestly didn't think it would bother you."

She added, "If you're mad, just let it out on me."

Watching Sophia pull her innocent act while playing the victim made me want to throw up.

My dad just sat to the side, frowning at them, but he stayed completely silent.

I knew exactly what was weighing on my dad's mind.

Five years ago, a car accident took my mom and brother from us.

Overnight, the Linley family lost its two pillars, and running the business became even harder.

My dad valued the marriage alliance with the Sterling family, but what he really cared about was Edward himself. He hoped that Edward, his future son-in-law, would step up and take on the heavy burden of the family business.

But now, I'd grown up. I could handle things myself.

I walked right over and took a seat beside my dad.

"Dad, I checked out the project proposal. There's a real issue with the risk assessment for the Southeast Asion market," I said straight to him.

My dad paused, surprised by my sudden input.

Edward scoffed, "I did that myself. What, you really think there's something wrong with it?"

"There's a major problem," I shot back, tossing a file onto the table. "The numbers you pulled are way outdated, and you didn't even take into account the latest trade regulations in Southeast Asion.

"If we go with your plan, the first batch is pretty much guaranteed to get stuck at customs, and we'll be facing a loss of at least several million."

The room was abuzz with whispers and shocked murmurs.

All eyes turned to Edward.

His face flushed red, and then drained of color—clearly, I'd struck a nerve.

"Nonsense!" Edward snapped, his anger boiling over, eyes blazing with frustration.

I shot right back at him, locking eyes. "You know damn well if I'm talking nonsense or not."

Unfazed, I squared my shoulders and spoke up. "Mr. Sterling, if you can't even get the basics handled, honestly, how am I supposed to trust you to take charge of this project?"

Sophia saw the commotion and immediately switched on her pity act again.

She said, "Charlotte, Edward's been working nonstop for this project, barely sleeping at all. How can you say that about him? He really just wants what's best for both our companies!"

"Oh?" My smile was all surface. "So acting 'for the good of the company' means you can just make a joke out of a deal worth millions?"

I added, "Ms. Goodwin, this is a meeting room, not somewhere for you to put on an act. If you're so worried about Edward, maybe spend less time playing the victim and more time urging him to actually step up, instead of muddying the waters here."

Instantly, Sophia's face flushed red, the color of utter humiliation.

I ignored Edward and Sophia, shifting my focus to the board members.

"Guys, we all know how crucial this project is. I propose that I take full responsibility for every aspect of it, so we can make sure nothing goes wrong," I said.

My dad's face lit up with relief and pride, and he was the first to voice his support.

The rest of the board members nodded in agreement.

Edward sat there, his face thunderous and nearly black with humiliation.

He never would have thought the girl who always did whatever he wanted would drag him through the mud like this, stripping him of every last shred of dignity in front of the whole crowd.