Chapter 2

Thomas's parents had been supporting me since I was a kid, so when I graduated, I turned down all the other job offers and joined the Simmons Group as his personal assistant.

No matter how much he tried to make things difficult for me, I never quit. I saw the company as my own home.

But I never expected that this sense of belonging would make Thomas see me as a schemer.

He scoffed, "Our company? Who do you think you are? You're not even Mrs. Simmons, and you're giving me orders?

"Sean is the richest man in Roynfort. People are lining up at his door just to work with him. You really think he'd do business with us just because you looked after his mother? Do you think I'm a three-year-old?"

He just wouldn't believe me, and tears started to well up in my eyes.

Sean let out a sigh, like he'd finally had enough. He took the phone from me and said, "Thomas, you should count yourself lucky to have an assistant like her.

"It was her sincerity that won me over. I'll just pretend I didn't hear your nonsense earlier. Get over here and sign the contract."

Thomas paused and started spewing even filthier words. "Who the hell are you? Claire's boy toy? You think I'll show up because you tell me to? Who do you think you are?

"There's no way you're Sean. The real Sean wouldn't be moved by something so petty."

He let out an exaggerated laugh. "Claire, you really will do anything to latch onto me, huh? Now you're hooking up with some other guy, trying to use this to threaten me. Is that it?

"You think I'd marry trash like you? Don't even dream about it."

The call was abruptly cut off. With tears clouding my vision, I looked at Sean.

He wrapped his coat around me. "Claire, you've more than repaid the kindness you owed."

I froze in place, shocked. I never expected Sean to know about my history with the Simmons family.

It was Thomas's parents who put me through school, so I did everything I could to get resources and help him build his company.

I kept swallowing my pride, but I never thought he'd keep pushing it. His insults got nastier every time.

I could still remember Thomas's parents. They held my hand in the hospital beds, telling me not to let gratitude become a shackle. I wiped the tears from the corners of my eyes.

"I'm quitting. I'll hand in my resignation tomorrow," I said.

Sean shot a look at his secretary, who quickly handed over a contract.

The secretary said, "Ms. Sherman, if you've made up your mind, the Grant Group's doors are always open to you.

"We'll double your salary and holiday benefits. Plus, we'll send you for regular skill training.

"For this project, we can set up a PR department just for you to run. You'll report directly to Mr. Grant. Think it over."

I took the contract, feeling a little surprised. The terms were incredibly generous.

Sean cleared his throat. "Claire, given your talent, sticking with Thomas is holding you back. If you come to the Grant Group, I'll make sure you're promoted to vice president within a year."

I didn't hesitate, reached out, and shook his hand. "Alright. I'll join the Grant Group in three days. Mr. Grant, I'm excited to work with you," I said.

"Looking forward to it," Sean replied.

A smile flickered on Sean's face. After we went our separate ways, I quickly typed a letter of resignation and sent it to Thomas's inbox.

The next day, I walked into the office with a printed copy in hand. My coworkers kept sneaking glances at me, whispering among themselves.

"Did you hear? Claire called Mr. Simmons at two in the morning, bragging about landing a 3-million deal with the Grant Group. She didn't even try to make her lies believable."

"The gutsy get rich, and the timid starve. If she actually succeeds, we'll all have to start calling her Mrs. Simmons."

"She always says she works hard because Mr. Simmons's parents helped her. Who's buying that? Mr. Simmons's parents have been dead for ages. She talks like she's some hero. She's got no shame."

"Mr. Simmons was so pissed this morning. Word is Claire handed in her resignation. Wanna bet how long before she comes back and begs for another chance? She's pulling her usual tricks again."

I was used to all the gossip. Ignoring Thomas's secretary, who tried to block me, I marched into Thomas's office.

He just happened to be hurling an ashtray at the door. It hit me at the corner of my eye and cut my skin open. Blood streamed down my face.

Thomas was startled. He glanced at the resignation letter in my hand, and his rage intensified.

He slammed his hand on the desk, yelling, "Claire, do you have nothing better to do? Just because I saw through your plan to get into my bed, you want to quit? You must be out of your mind."

"Sign it, Mr. Simmons," I said and wiped the blood from my brow, holding back the pain. "I never tried to seduce you. Everything I said last night was true. I've already repaid you for your parents' help. I'm leaving."

"Repay me? I don't need you to repay me. You think the Simmons Group would go bankrupt without you? Dream on. As long as I'm here, the Simmons Group will be just fine," Thomas roared.