Chapter 3

But I had never been anyone's easy target.

Sophie's face froze for a moment, but just seconds later, she slipped right back into her signature look of innocence and vulnerability.

She said, "Clarissa, I know talking about the past makes you uncomfortable.

"But honestly, I don't have any bad intentions. I just don't want our colleagues to be misled by you.

"And now that we're both working, we really should be focusing on our careers.

"Mr. Chapman has already made arrangements. The editor-in-chief position is mine this time. Hope you don't mind?"

I couldn't help but snort with a cold laugh.

I said, "Funny you should say that. I was the one who got Patrick on board myself."

Annabell immediately jumped out, pointing at me and shouting insults.

She sneered, "Oh, you think just saying it makes it true? Have you looked in the mirror lately?

"You're just trying to piggyback off Sophie now that she's got Mr. Chapman on her side, stealing the spotlight and taking credit. Shameless."

I ignored Annabell and stared straight at Sophie.

I said, "Alright then, how about we call Patrick together? That'll settle it once and for all."

Sophie avoided my gaze, and after an awkward silence, she finally spoke, her voice hesitant. "I don't think that's necessary. Patrick's really busy with work right now. It's just a minor issue—we really don't need to disturb him."

Emma immediately jumped in, fanning the flames, acting all righteously indignant.

She said, "Sophie, you're just too soft-hearted and way too accommodating.

"If you ask me, you should just call Mr. Chapman and report Clarissa. Even better, get him to blacklist her so she can never work in this industry again. That's the only way you'll really feel better."

Sophie smiled, acting all gracious as she waved her hand dismissively.

She said, "Come on, that's way too extreme. We're all just working to get by. No need to ruin each other over this."

Seeing this, the people around her started showering her with praise.

One of them said, "Sophie is just too kind."

Another said, "Clarissa isn't even fit to be Sophie's servant."

Someone else said, "Of course. She got where she is through shady means. How could she ever compare to Sophie, who's both beautiful and kind-hearted?"

Sophie pretended to play peacemaker, but the satisfaction in her eyes was impossible to miss.

She said, "Honestly, I wish I hadn't even mentioned it. Don't say that, guys."

As she spoke, she reached for my arm, pretending to look guilty.

She said, "Clarissa, don't blame me. I was just anxious and accidentally let it slip. It's all on me..."

I jerked my arm out of her grasp.

"Since you won't make the call, I'll do it myself," I said.

Annabell scoffed, "Seriously, Clarissa, what kind of act are you putting on?"

She sneered, "You just call some random number that won't even connect and pretend Mr. Chapman's off on a business trip? Do you seriously think we're idiots?"

Annabell crossed her arms and tilted her chin at my phone.

The call just kept giving me a busy signal. That was when it hit me that Patrick told me this morning he'd be away on a business trip.

"I'm not lying," I said.

I held up my phone, showing everyone the screen.

"Look for yourselves," I said. "Patrick told me this morning he's on a business trip. He's on a plane right now, so obviously the call isn't going through."

"Give it a rest, Clarissa," Annabell said with a dismissive snort, not even bothering to glance at my phone. "Just slap his name on your phone, and suddenly he's Mr. Chapman? By that logic, I could call myself a billionaire."

Emma leaned in, glanced at my phone screen, and tossed out another sarcastic jab.

She said, "You can't even bother to make your fake story believable. Real heirs to big families don't talk like that. They say they're heading back to the family mansion for dinner with their seniors.

"The way you worded it sounds like you're just chilling at your grandma's old house in the sticks. Seriously, it's so tacky."

"What, you guys think life's just like those mini-dramas you binge online?" I shot back, my temples throbbing as I tried to keep my cool. "Rich folks are still just people. They don't talk like they're in some cheesy show."

"Give it a rest," Annabell scoffed.

She took her time pulling out her phone, wearing a confident smirk like she already had this in the bag.

She said, "I've got a friend who works as Mr. Chapman's secretary. Let me just call and check his schedule. Then we'll know what's really going on."

She dialed the number, put it on speaker, and started chatting in a familiar, almost flirty tone with the person on the other end.

When she hung up, her expression changed ever so slightly. Now she looked a little unsure as she glanced at me.

She said, "My friend confirmed it. Mr. Chapman is actually scheduled for an interview at our station."

Annabell whispered, "Wait, is she actually Mrs. Chapman?"

Emma gave her a smack on the arm.

Emma said, "Seriously? Didn't Sophie just say she was the one who talked Mr. Chapman into doing the interview? Of course he's got it on his schedule."

Annabell paused for a second, then realized what was going on and glared at me.

She snapped, "Nearly got tricked by this crazy woman."

I stared at this fence-sitter, totally speechless.

Fed up with their nonsense, I pulled the necklace out from under my shirt and flashed it in front of everyone.

"This Desert Heart? Patrick dropped thirty million dollars on it for me. That should be proof enough of my status, right?" I said.

Emma's eyes went wide, craning her neck for a better look like she couldn't believe it.

She blurted out, "Whoa, you've got one too? And it's even bigger than Sophie's."

Annabell rushed over, checked out the diamond in my hand for a couple of seconds, and then grabbed Emma's arm and pulled her into a corner, where they started muttering conspiratorially.