Chapter 2

The employees’ murmurs died down when they met Ethan’s dark expression.

The whispered sympathy and indignation fell on his ears.

Ethan’s face alternated between pale and flushed, utterly humiliated.

Cornered by the accusations, Ethan’s tone softened for a rare moment:

“Jordan, I... I didn’t mean it like that...”

Before he could finish, footsteps echoed from the lobby entrance.

Lily was being supported by bodyguards, her face pale, stumbling as she rushed in. Her voice dripped with theatrical grievance:

“Stop fighting, please! It’s all my fault.

I shouldn’t have troubled the Vice President to buy me breakfast.”

“A poor person like me isn’t worth anything. I don’t deserve to make you angry on my account.”

“It’s all my fault. Please don’t fight because of me...”

Lily cried while actually starting to kneel before me.

“I was so thoughtless!

I shouldn’t have asked the Vice President to buy breakfast.

The Vice President did nothing wrong—it’s all my fault.

Someone like me is worthless anyway.

I might as well just jump out a window.”

She screamed and rushed toward the window, acting like she wanted to end her life.

Ethan’s face changed drastically.

He immediately rushed forward and grabbed her tightly, pulling her back with force:

“Lily! Don’t be rash! I’m here.”

After some struggle, he pulled her back into his embrace.

But during the scuffle, the top button of Ethan’s shirt popped open.

From his neck down to his chest—covered in fresh and faded red marks.

We’d been sleeping in separate beds for nearly a month now.

His late nights coming home, the perfume smell on him, the mysterious expenses, how he never let his phone out of his sight.

All the signs I’d ignored suddenly connected in that moment.

He was having an affair.

With this intern he held so precious.

My whole body went cold. Even breathing hurt.

Seeing me staring at his neck, panic flashed in Ethan’s eyes, quickly replaced by rage:

“Jordan, what’s the point of dredging up your mother’s old business?

I run this company now, and you need to listen to me.”

“Stop trying to fool me. Your mother’s illness isn’t that serious.

She said herself it’s nothing major. Why are you making such a big deal out of it?”

Bitterness surged in my chest again.

My mom had pretended she was fine so Ethan could focus on the company without distraction.

But if he’d just asked at the hospital even once, he’d know my mom would die soon without surgery.

Before I could respond, he continued:

“You think being Vice President gives you some kind of superiority?

Starting today, you’re demoted.

You’ll be Lily’s assistant and learn how to be a decent human being.”

That sentence ignited all the humiliation I’d endured today and my fury over Ethan’s affair.

I couldn’t control myself anymore.

I raised my hand to slap Lily across the face.

Ethan moved quickly, immediately shouting:

“Security! Hold her down.”

Two large bodyguards instantly rushed forward, twisting my arms and pinning me so I couldn’t move.

Ethan’s eyes turned vicious.

“Still trying to hit people? Beat her. Beat her until she comes to her senses.”

Slap after slap landed on my face. At least a dozen.

My lip split, my cheeks swelled and burned, my ears rang, darkness crept into my vision.

Ethan glared coldly at all the employees:

“What happened today—anyone who breathes a word of this gets fired immediately and blacklisted permanently.”

The bodyguards shoved me hard to the ground. Covered in filthy water mixed with tears and blood, I looked as pathetic as a drowned rat.

I tried to push myself up. Ethan walked over and crouched down in front of me.

“Jordan, if you dare call the police, I’ll stop your mother’s medication immediately and let her fend for herself.”