Chapter 2

I suppressed my anger and tried to explain calmly, "From what I know, Elena, you lost the offer because you ghosted a major client. What does that have to do with me?"

A flicker of guilt flashed through Elena's eyes, but she quickly slammed her hand on the desk and shrieked, "That is a goddamn lie! I worked day and night to secure clients! I drank myself to a stomach ulcer for this company, and you try to ruin me with one pathetic rumor?!"

Her face turned red, and she turned to the crowd, playing the victim. "Everyone, we need to boycott this liar! If we let this nepo baby do whatever she wants, she’ll be running the whole department!"

Wow.

Actually, I do run this entire company.

I crossed my arms and looked at her half-amused. "I am the owner of this company. I hold sixty percent of the shares. Elena, I was actually going to give you a generous severance package. But now? You won't get a single penny."

The office went dead silent.

Elena froze for a few seconds. Then, she burst into loud, mocking laughter.

"Have you lost your goddamn mind? Everyone knows the owner of Monroe Corp is Liam Monroe. If you're going to fake an identity, at least do your research!"

The crowd burst into snickers.

"Do you believe she’s the owner, or do you believe I’m Elon Musk?"

"Chloe Monroe must have fried her brain when she was a kid. Look at her, she’s practically drooling. Just because you have the same last name as the boss doesn’t mean you can play princess. Do you think we’re stupid?"

Faced with their mockery, I took a deep breath.

Last month, Liam had a sudden heart relapse. He flew me back from Europe overnight, made me sign the share transfer, and asked me to go undercover at this branch to inspect the grassroots level.

The official press release isn't until next week. That’s why nobody knows the boss has already changed.

I didn't want to waste my breath arguing. I knew they wouldn't believe me anyway, so I turned to walk toward Manager Howard's office.

But Elena blocked my path, a nasty smirk on her face. "What, going to run to Howard to save you?"

The coworkers let out ugly laughs, as if they had just uncovered a dirty secret.

"No wonder she’s so arrogant. She’s sleeping with Manager Howard! Some people really have no shame, sleeping with a married man to get ahead in the workplace!"

"She looks so innocent, but she’s just a cheap slut who seduces older men. How does someone like her even get hired?"

The malicious insults washed over me like a toxic wave.

My hands clenched into tight fists. I was shaking with rage.

But they outnumbered me. Fighting them physically right now would be foolish.

So, I violently shoved a nearby desk. The computer, keyboard, and files crashed to the floor with a loud bang.

The door of the manager's office at the very end of the hall finally swung open. Howard roared, "Who the hell is making all this noise?!"

I smirked. "Howard! Get out here and control your staff. They are literally stepping on their boss!"

I sneered in my head. Elena, and all you enablers, I will make you pay.