Chapter 3

The coworkers around us began pointing fingers and whispering nastily.

"She's done for. Austin is definitely furious."

"Brooke always seemed so calm and composed. Why lose her mind like this today?"

"She's in her thirties, fighting over a man with a girl in her twenties. Look at her—how could she ever compete with Summer?"

Summer gave me a taunting glare.

"Brooke, I'll give you one last chance. For the sake of having been coworkers, get on your knees, bow your head, and apologize to me right now."

"Then eat these disgusting complaint letters. Do that, and maybe I'll ask my husband not to throw you out on the street."

"Otherwise, you won't like what's coming to you!"

I took a step forward, staring right into her eyes.

"Get on my knees for you?"

"Who do you think you are?"

The next second, I pulled two marriage certificates straight out of my purse and slapped them across her face.

"Open your blind eyes and look closely! That billionaire prince charming you're bragging about, Austin Miller, is my legal husband!"

"You're nothing but a pathetic side piece who can't even stand in the light!"

The papers struck Summer's cheek before fluttering to the floor.

She froze for a few seconds, then burst into exaggerated, mocking laughter.

"Hahahaha! Brooke, have you completely lost your mind over men?"

"Photoshapping fake marriage certificates to fantasize about my husband? Do you have any shame at all?"

She scooped up the papers, didn't even bother reading them, and ripped them to shreds.

"I always heard some older women in the company were desperate sluts, but I didn't realize it was you!"

"Knowing my husband is a major shareholder, you threw away all dignity. If you saw him in person, would you just spread your legs on the spot?"

She turned toward the guests and colleagues.

"Everyone, look at this! This woman thinks because she has seniority, she can forge fake documents and claim my husband is hers! Isn't that the most pathetic joke you've ever heard?"

A first officer who always sucked up to Summer immediately stepped out.

"Brooke, we've worked together for years. I had no idea you were this vile!"

"Who is Captain Miller? Why would a man like that ever look at an old woman like you? Get the hell out of here! Stop embarrassing yourself!"

A chorus of jeers erupted, and people began shoving me toward the door.

"Get out! Don't ruin Summer's party!"

"Shameless bitch!"

I was shoved off balance, my lower back slamming hard against the sharp corner of a buffet table.

A sharp pang shot through me. The sheer exhaustion from ten hours of high-stress dispatching hit all at once, making my vision swim with dark spots.

I braced myself against the wall, barely able to stay upright.

Summer grabbed a full glass of champagne from a tray and splashed it straight across my face.

"Get on your knees and beg, and maybe I'll leave you a desk in the basement!"

Just then, an unexpected voice cut through the chaos.

"Brooke? What are you doing here?"