Chapter 1

The day I returned from studying abroad in Paris, I wheeled my suitcase straight to my dad's corporate headquarters.

I wanted to surprise him.

But the second I reached the door of the CEO's office, a young, glamorous woman stepped in front of me.

"Who are you looking for?"

"Arthur Sterling."

Her face instantly darkened.

"So, you're the trash who won't stop harassing him?"

I stared at her, completely baffled.

"Excuse me? Arthur Sterling is my dad."

I pulled out my phone, ready to call him.

Before I could unlock the screen, the woman lunged forward and snatched it right out of my hands.

She brazenly unlocked my phone and scrolled through my chat history, her face turning crimson with rage.

"I knew it! Another little tramp trying to seduce the CEO!"

Drawn by the commotion, several employees gathered around to watch.

The woman's confidence exploded.

She held up my phone and read our recent text messages aloud for everyone to hear.

"'Dad, I fell in love with a necklace at the jewelry expo. It's a hundred and fifty grand.'"

"'Whatever you want, sweetheart. I'll wire you three hundred grand tomorrow. Booked your first-class flight home. Miss you.'"

"'Love you! Best dad in the entire world!'"

The surrounding staff gasped, instantly erupting into whispers.

"Look at that, another gold digger trying to hook the boss!"

"With a skirt that short, she's practically begging for it. Pure trash."

"Doesn't she know Mr. Sterling is about to marry Sophie? How could she ever compete?"

I froze. Since when was my dad remarrying?

I snatched my phone back from her hand and demanded,

"You're Sophie? Why has my dad never mentioned you?"

She gave me a smug, mocking smile.

"I am. And I'm Mr. Sterling's newly appointed executive assistant."

"Funny, he's never mentioned having a daughter either."

"Cut the act. Get out before security throws you out."

I looked her up and down, stunned that my dad's taste had plummeted so drastically that he'd hire someone this brainless.

I pulled my official onboarding letter out of my purse.

"I've already finished HR onboarding. Last time I checked, a secretary doesn't have the authority to fire an employee."

Turning to a nearby staff member, I asked,

"Could you show me where my desk is?"

Dozens of judgmental eyes locked onto me. Right then, the Head of Administration, Cheryl Brooks, stepped out of her office with a grim expression.

"Chloe Vance, in my office. Now."

I followed her inside.

The moment the door shut, she snapped,

"Explain yourself. What kind of person causes a scene on their very first day?"

I replied calmly, "I was just looking for my father."

Cheryl let out a cold laugh. "Your father?"

"Yes. Arthur Sterling is my father."

She burst into open laughter.

"Chloe Vance, listen to yourself. The CEO's last name is Sterling. Yours is Vance."

"I took my mother's maiden name."

"Enough," Cheryl cut me off sharply.

"I've never heard of Mr. Sterling having a daughter. I don't care if you're looking for a sugar daddy on your own time, but you will not do it inside this building."

I looked straight at her. "Ms. Brooks, I am telling you the truth. I am his daughter."

She frowned in disgust. "Since you refuse to admit your mistake, your only option is to resign."

"Excuse me?" I laughed in disbelief. "I just started today, and this entire thing is a misunderstanding. Why on earth would I quit?"

Cheryl's gaze turned icy.

"Young lady, stop trying to take shortcuts in life."

"If you don't resign voluntarily, I'll compile evidence of your inappropriate behavior toward the CEO and terminate you for cause."

When I walked out of the office, Sophie was already waiting with a small posse of coworkers to block my path.

"Chloe, we need to talk."

I stopped.

A crowd quickly formed around us.

Sophie lifted her chin, her eyes glistening with dramatic tears.

"How long have you been stalking Arthur?"

The other women held their breath, waiting for my response.

She pressed on, "Did you even care that he had a girlfriend?"

I stared at her, genuinely more shocked than she was. "Are you really his girlfriend? Since when have you two been dating?"

Tears spilled down her cheeks.

"Arthur hasn't gone public with our relationship yet, but everyone in this office knows about us."

"You didn't answer my question. When did you start chasing him?"

"How could a cheap gold digger like you ever think you're good enough for him?"

One of her lackeys chimed in sneeringly,

"Demanding a hundred and fifty grand for a necklace right off the bat. Have you no shame?"

I nearly scoffed.

"It's just a necklace. My dad has bought me things ten times more expensive."

Sophie pulled out her phone and flashed a screenshot.

"I have plenty more proof of you throwing yourself at him."

"If you don't hand in your resignation right now, I'm posting all of this online."

"Once I expose you, you'll be blacklisted from this entire industry."

I glanced at the screen. It was an authentic screenshot of the chat between my dad and me.

How did she get access to something so private?

Could she actually be dating my dad?

My mom passed away years ago, and I never opposed my dad finding love again.

But had he completely lost his mind, falling for a woman like this?