Chapter 2

The car ride to Sterling Manor was tense.

Edward tried to start a conversation a few times, but I gave him short, non-committal answers.

During dinner, we maintained a facade of harmony in front of the elders. But we both knew something had changed between us.

Back at our own home, Edward finally couldn't hold back.

He hugged me from behind, his chin resting on my head.

"Viv, are you still upset about this afternoon?" His voice held a note of weariness and appeasement. "Sophie really is just my assistant. I have no other interest in her."

I didn't push him away, just said softly, "Edward, it's not about who she is, or whether you have feelings for her."

I turned to face him. "It's about 'boundaries.' It's about the 'uniqueness' that should exist between us.

"Your private lounge is our space, just like this home.

"I don't want others to be able to barge in easily. That makes me feel our relationship isn't special anymore."

Edward looked at me deeply. "I'm sorry, Viv.

"I was careless. I didn't consider your feelings."

He took my hand. "Don't worry, nothing like that will happen again.

"That lounge, no one gets to enter casually except you."

He gave me a solemn promise.

*****

The peace didn't last long before a new storm hit.

This time, the news came from my assistant, Emily Lane.

Emily had been with me for years, loyal and capable, with her own information channels within Sterling Holdings.

While reporting on work, Emily casually mentioned something.

Emily said, "I heard Mr. Sterling recently gave Sophie an invitation to that 'Summit Private Club.' And he said she could bring friends to 'experience' it."

I knew that place.

It was an exclusive hangout for the city's top wealthy and powerful elites.

Membership screening was extremely strict; non-members couldn't even get past the door.

Edward was a long-time member. We went together occasionally.

Sometimes he'd give the rare guest invitations to important business partners.

Or as a high-level reward to a very select few core executives within the company.

But to Sophie, his new assistant, and letting her bring friends, that was suspicious.

Emily continued, "Sophie seemed really happy about it. She posted pictures on social media, visible to a specific group.

"Some colleagues saw it and are talking privately.

"Saying Mr. Sterling really gives her 'special treatment,' that she's entered his 'inner circle.'"

My heart sank, and a chill ran through my body.

What was Edward thinking?

He gave this symbol of status and privilege so easily to a young female subordinate.

This wasn't just crossing a line anymore.

Had he forgotten his last promise? Or did he just not care?

Sophie's showing off added fuel to the fire. Her little scheme was obvious.

She wanted to raise her own status, make people think she had a special connection with Edward.

Fine. If they wanted to play the "privilege" game, I'd show them what real privilege looked like.

I picked up the phone and called my father's secretary, Warren, a senior executive at Grant Enterprises. "Warren, I need a favor.

"For the Summit Private Club, book out all the guest passes for the next month, plus a few key private booking slots.

"Do it under the Grant Enterprises name, say it's a perk for company executives and their families.

"Make the announcement public, do it high-profile."

Warren got it done immediately. The Grant family's clout and influence were more than enough for this.

The Summit Club was naturally happy to oblige.

Soon, the news spread.

Grant Enterprises had secured the club's main resources for the near future as a reward for its management team.

For a while, the Grant family's lavish move was a hot topic in our circles.

And Sophie's "precious" invitation instantly became meaningless, even laughable.

When the entire executive team of Grant Enterprises could come and go freely with their families, her little "special treatment" was worth nothing.

Her whole plan to flex and drop hints totally blew up in her face. Now she was just the butt of everyone's jokes.

I heard that on the day she wanted to take her friends, she found she couldn't book any decent spot.

All the good times and areas were taken by Grant Enterprises. She apparently left looking pretty defeated.

This was my way of telling everyone, especially Edward and Sophie, who truly held the resources and power in this circle.

It also reminded them exactly who the rightful lady of the Sterling house was.

This time, I went for the jugular.

No need for a direct confrontation—sometimes, the quietest moves hit the hardest.