Chapter 2

I took a deep breath and decided to play along.

“Nice taste. Those earrings are pretty.”

That was exactly what she’d been hoping to hear.

She confidently tucked her hair behind her ears, looking thoroughly pleased with herself.

“Thank you, Mrs. Summers. These...”

“They were a gift.”

A gift? She might as well have stamped YOUR HUSBAND across her forehead.

Smiling, I took off my own earrings and placed them on the visitor log in front of her.

“You like them? Here, have another pair.”

With that, I turned away.

I didn’t want to see her expression, much less wait for her reaction.

She probably thought I’d taken the bait.

She probably thought she’d made me jealous and furious with my husband.

Back upstairs, I carried on with my work.

Contracts still needed signing. Procedures still needed following.

A little while later, my assistant, Olivia, came into my office.

“Director, I overheard some employees talking in the elevator...”

I raised an eyebrow at her, already knowing what she was about to say.

“About my husband and the receptionist?”

Olivia pressed her lips together. She seemed baffled by how calmly I was taking it.

I accepted the documents she was holding and spoke evenly.

“I know what kind of man my husband is. As for what kind of person that receptionist is, you’ll all find out at the annual gala.”

“Olivia, focus on your work. Don’t sink to their level.”

It was a reminder, but also a warning.

I wouldn’t tolerate gossipmongers on my team. And I certainly wouldn’t keep someone at my company just because they had an impressive degree if their character didn’t measure up.

Chloe Bennett and her little band of followers were in for a very public reality check.

After work, I took the elevator downstairs as usual and waited for my husband by the facial-recognition gates.

Chloe still had a group of women gathered around her.

They were off the clock. What they did with their own time wasn’t my business.

Then my husband came into view, and Chloe called out in a sugary voice.

“Have a lovely weekend, boss.”