Meanwhile, Ryan, still smarting from his demotion, sought out Jessica.
- “Mr. Thompson, I deeply regret my actions. Please, don’t let them fire me.”
Jessica smirked.
- “I can ensure your employment continues, Mr. Peterson, and…” she leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “You must help me this time. I cannot afford to lose my standing at Thompson Enterprises.”
- “I will assist you in any way I can,” Ryan said with eagerness. “If you can do something for me. What is it you need?”
- “Make Chloe Miller leave Thompson Enterprises,” Jessica stated, a sharp glint in her eyes. “Chloe Miller… she is the reason Mr. Thompson fired me.”
- “Don’t you worry,” Ryan promised, a malevolent smile spreading across his features. “I will make sure she is gone for good.”
- “Proceed,” Jessica urged.
She watched Ryan walk away, a triumphant smile playing on her lips. “Michael Thompson, I will eliminate every woman who even dares to desire you. You belong to me, and me alone.”
Later, as Chloe was about to enter Michael’s office, Jessica physically blocked her path.
- “Who gave you permission to come in here?”
- “Mr. Thompson,” Chloe started to explain, then quickly changed her tactic. “I lost an earring in here earlier. Right here,” she insisted, pointing to a spot on the plush carpet.
- “Without my explicit permission, do not enter my office,” Michael’s stern voice emanated from within.
- “Okay, Mr. Thompson,” Chloe mumbled, retreating.
Jessica, seizing the opportunity, stormed into Michael’s office.
- “What are you doing in here?” she demanded of Chloe, who was now holding a document. “Parading yourself in front of Mr. Thompson again?”
- “I’m delivering the ingredient list,” Chloe explained calmly.
Jessica snatched the document from her hand. Her eyes widened in feigned horror.
- “What is this?! You dared to alter the formula! Adding mercury to the ingredients? If this product goes into production, the entire line will be contaminated! You are trying to sabotage Thompson Enterprises!” she shrieked, putting on a grand, dramatic performance.
- “I didn’t do it!” Chloe protested, her face turning pale. “I never even looked at that document. I just picked it up from the R&D department.”
- “How dare you lie?!” Jessica’s voice was shrill and piercing. “Adding this substance is illegal! You’re coming with me to HR right now!”
- “I won’t go! I didn’t do it! Let go of me! Let go!” Chloe struggled as Jessica gripped her arm, attempting to drag her toward the door.
- “What is all this commotion?” Michael’s voice boomed as he stepped out of his office.
- “Mr. Thompson!” Jessica cried, practically shoving Chloe in his direction. “Chloe Miller tampered with the product formula, which will severely damage our company’s reputation!”
- “I didn’t! I never touched it!” Chloe pleaded, tears starting to form in her eyes.
- “Stop your lying!” Jessica spat. “Where is the original formula? Did you sell it to one of our competitors?”
Michael’s gaze was sharp and penetrating.
- “Chloe Miller, do you have an explanation?”
- “I swear I didn’t touch it! Taylor Green from R&D told me to retrieve this document! I didn’t even glance at it! How could I possibly…?”
- “Enough of this act! Let’s go to HR!” Jessica interrupted, tugging at Chloe’s arm once more.
- “I told you, I didn’t do it! I am not going anywhere! Let me go!”
- “Enough,” Michael said, his voice carrying an undeniable authority that instantly silenced them both. He looked at Chloe. “Did you go anywhere else?”
Chloe, still shaken, took a moment to think.
- “The pantry. I went to the pantry for a minute. The document must have been switched there!”
- “Check the security footage from the pantry immediately!” Michael ordered.
Jessica scoffed.
- “A classic case of the thief crying ‘stop thief’! Everyone knows the cameras in the pantry have been broken for weeks.”
- “Mr. Thompson, the surveillance cameras were repaired quite some time ago,” Alex Davis interjected, stepping forward with a tablet displaying a live feed.
On the screen, Ryan Peterson was clearly visible swapping the documents in the pantry.
- “It’s him?!” Michael exclaimed, recognizing Ryan. “Wasn’t he terminated? Why is he still on the premises?” He turned to Alex. “Bring Ryan Peterson here at once!”
- “Yes, sir!” Alex replied, hurrying away.
Moments later, Ryan was forcibly brought back into the office.
- “Let go of me! Unhand me! On what grounds are you detaining me?!”
- “Still trying to make excuses?” Michael’s voice was as cold as ice. “The surveillance footage is right here. Why did you switch the files to frame her?”
The color drained from Ryan’s face.
- “Yes… It’s…”
Jessica, surprisingly, attempted to intervene.
- “How dare you lie in front of Mr. Thompson? You had better think very carefully before you act!”
- “I… I just couldn’t accept what happened,” Ryan stammered, his eyes darting around frantically. “I wanted Chloe Miller to be fired as well! Mr. Thompson, I never intended to… harm the Thompson Corporation!”
- “Save that story for the police,” Michael stated flatly. “Take him away now.”
- “Let go! I can walk on my own!” Ryan protested as he was escorted out.
Michael turned his attention to Chloe.
- “Chloe Miller, you failed to properly safeguard company documents. You’re fired.”
- “Why?!” Chloe cried out, completely shocked. “Wasn’t this matter thoroughly investigated? It wasn’t my fault!”
At that moment, Alex rushed back into the room, a worried expression on his face.
- “Mr. Thompson, did you find it? It’s my negligence, sir. I’ve lost your marriage certificate. I’m not sure if Mrs. Thompson still has her copy.”
Michael’s eyes hardened.
- “I checked. One certificate is sufficient for a divorce.”
Chloe’s head was spinning. Marriage certificate? He’s married?
- “Fine, I understand,” Michael said, dismissing Alex. He looked at Chloe, his expression unreadable. “Get out.”
- “Let’s go,” Jessica said triumphantly, taking Chloe’s arm.
- “Let go of me! Stop dragging me!” Chloe exclaimed, pulling away.
Later that evening, as she sat on the worn-out couch in her modest Queens apartment, Chloe’s phone rang. It was her «mysterious husband.»
- “I’m sorry,” she said, her voice barely a whisper. “You and I have no real connection.”
- “Stop calling me your husband, Chloe. This is all a misunderstanding. I’m…”
- “Get out!” she snapped, the accumulated frustration of the day finally boiling over.
The voice on the other end paused, then, “Mr. Thompson, the matter has…”
- “I said, get out!” Michael Thompson’s sharp, distinct voice came through the phone. Chloe blinked. Wasn’t this already investigated?
She held the phone away from her ear, realizing with a jolt that she had confused Michael Thompson with her actual mystery husband.
- “Hello? I’m sorry, I… I left early this morning.” She prayed he hadn’t overheard Michael’s angry outburst.
- “Are you crying?” her mystery husband asked, his voice noticeably softer now.
- “No,” she lied, quickly wiping a tear from her cheek.
- “Did you call regarding the divorce?” he inquired.
- “About the divorce,” Chloe said, gathering her resolve. “Let’s postpone it for a month. I need you to pretend to be my wife, to meet my grandfather.” She knew it was a significant request, but she had to ask. “Don’t worry. I will compensate you for your time this month.”
- “That’s unnecessary,” Chloe replied with genuine sincerity. “The money you gave me last time saved the life of my only living relative, my grandma. You are my benefactor. I can’t accept any more money from you. Rest assured, I am very good with elderly people.” A small smile touched her lips. “We will proceed with the divorce shortly.” Then she remembered. “Oh, and about our marriage certificate. I seem to have accidentally misplaced mine. Do you still have yours?”
There was a brief silence on the other end.
- “Yours is missing too?” he asked, a hint of surprise in his voice.
- “I lost your marriage certificate,” Chloe admitted.
Suddenly, she recalled something Alex Davis had mentioned earlier. “Taylor Green just said that Mr. Thompson’s marriage certificate is missing.” What a coincidence. Two of them. Your marriage certificate is also missing. A strange feeling began to creep over her. “If that’s the case, we have a problem.”
- “It’s alright,” her mystery husband said in a reassuring tone. “A colleague of mine at work also lost their marriage certificate today.”
What was I thinking? Chloe thought, shaking her head. How could my mysterious husband possibly be Mr. Thompson? She took a deep breath.
- “You… are you facing some difficulties? I thought I heard you crying earlier, even though this is just a sham marriage. But please tell me if you need help. I’ll do whatever I can to assist you.”
Just then, Michael’s voice, clear and commanding, came through the office speaker system.
- “Mr. Thompson, Mr. Johnson and his team have arrived.”
- “Bring in the contract,” Michael instructed.
Chloe’s mystery husband’s voice cut back in.
- “I’m fine. Right before you called, I was fired from my job. I just lost control of my emotions for a moment.”
- “Come work at my company,” her husband offered.
- “There’s no need,” Chloe said, a newfound determination in her voice. “Don’t worry about me. I won’t be defeated so easily.”
- “Your boss firing you clearly shows his poor judgment,” her husband commented.
Chloe couldn’t help but agree.
- “Hmm. He really is blind.”
- “You should never speak ill of others behind their backs,” her husband gently chided.
Just as he spoke those words, a car pulled up to the curb outside her building. It was Michael Thompson. Speak of the devil. Here he comes now.
- “I have to go,” Chloe said quickly into the phone. “Something has come up. We can text about the details later. Got it.” She ended the call and rushed downstairs.
The next day, back at Thompson Enterprises, the office was a hive of whispers and speculation.
- “Chloe Miller, you’re Mr. Thompson’s new assistant, right?” a co-worker inquired. “Do you have any idea who Mr. Thompson’s mysterious wife is? I always assumed Mr. Thompson was the city’s most eligible bachelor. I never imagined he was married.”
- “Even if Mr. Thompson were single, you still wouldn’t stand a chance,” Jessica interjected, a venomous smile playing on her lips.
- “Hey, the rumor is that Mr. Thompson is planning to divorce his secret wife! Is there any truth to that?” another colleague gossiped.
- “It seems plausible,” said another. “Does that mean I might still have a shot?”
- “Do you all have too much free time on your hands?” Michael Thompson’s voice suddenly sliced through the air, sending a palpable chill down everyone’s spine. He looked directly at the gossiping employees. “Pack your personal belongings and leave the company immediately.”
The office fell into a dead silence.
- “What just happened?!” a stunned voice whispered.
- “I have no idea…”
Later, Jessica cornered Chloe.
- “Taylor Green, are you familiar with Mr. Thompson’s schedule?”
- “His schedule is strictly confidential,” Chloe replied, remembering Alex Davis’s words. “Only Jessica and Taylor Green have access to it.”
Jessica smirked.
- “Do you know who Mr. Thompson is meeting with today? It’s likely CEO Johnson from the Celestial Group. Mr. Johnson.”
Chloe, recalling the conversation with her «husband» (who she now realized with a jolt was Michael), suddenly understood. Michael was on his way to meet Mr. Johnson.
- “Hey, where are you going?” Jessica called out as Chloe hurried away.
- “I’m going to intercept him!” Chloe called back over her shoulder.
She found Michael, looking somewhat disheveled, outside a high-end restaurant near Boston’s Financial District, a popular spot for power lunches.
- “Hand over the medicine,” she demanded, holding out her hand.
Michael looked at her, surprised.
- “What are you doing here? How did you manage to find me?”
- “I did my homework,” Chloe said confidently. “I discovered that our collaboration partner is Mr. Johnson from the Celestial Group. This is his favorite restaurant. If we’re going to discuss a partnership, he would definitely choose this location.” She pressed a small bottle into his hand. “What you need right now is a hangover remedy.”
Michael eyed her with suspicion.
- “What is your motive for approaching me?”
- “I simply want to prove that I can be a competent assistant,” Chloe stated, her resolve firm. “Ryan Peterson was the one who made the mistake. Why was I fired instead?”
Michael scoffed.
- “I don’t waste my time explaining things to idiots.”
Suddenly, Chloe stumbled, bumping into Michael and spilling a small amount of the hangover cure on his pristine suit.
- “You!” she gasped, mortified. “Chloe Miller! I am so sorry! That was not intentional! Let me clean that for you.”
As she was frantically dabbing at his suit, Jessica arrived, a look of triumph on her face.
- “Mr. Thompson, perhaps I should take my leave now.”
- “Taylor Green! Get back here!” Michael commanded, his eyes fixed on Chloe.
Chloe, still attempting to clean the spill, found herself in an awkward position on Michael’s lap.
- “Mr. Thompson! How long do you intend to stay on my lap?”
- “I slipped!” she protested, trying to shift her position.
- “Move!” Michael said, his tone not unkind.
- “I genuinely want to know why,” Chloe insisted, looking up at him.
Michael sighed.
- “Fine. I’ll tell you why. As an assistant, you failed to notice that the documents had been swapped. Not only are you careless, but you also lack a basic sense of responsibility.”
- “I dare you to make a bet with me,” Chloe challenged, meeting his gaze directly. “Give me one month. If I can prove myself to be a competent assistant, allow me to stay and work in the design department.”
At that moment, his grandfather’s voice, a memory from their phone call, echoed in his mind. It’s you? That Chloe Miller girl. Kind and capable. I see a lot of potential in her.
Michael looked at Chloe, a faint smile touching his lips.
- “Fine. Out of respect for my Grandpa, I’ll give you another chance. Okay. You have one month. And if you fail…”
- “I’ll pay you six months’ salary!” Chloe interjected, taking him by surprise.
- “Fine,” Michael agreed, then held out his hand. “Give me the deposit.”
Chloe pulled out her credit card. Michael glanced at it. Why does this card look so familiar? he wondered.
- “I was only joking,” Chloe said, noticing his expression. “Your petty cash means nothing to me.” She stood up, a renewed sense of determination in her eyes. “One month. Succeed and stay. Fail and you’re gone.”
- “I’ll start work tomorrow!” she declared, turning to leave.
- “Idiot,” Michael muttered, a small smile playing on his lips. “See you tomorrow.”
The next morning, Chloe walked into the Thompson Enterprises office with a new spring in her step.
- “Morning, Jessica!” she chirped.
- “Good morning, Jessica!” another colleague echoed.
- “Morning, Sister Jessica,” a new hire said, slightly intimidated.
Jessica glared at Chloe.
- “Chloe Miller! Weren’t you fired by Mr. Thompson?”
- “Mr. Thompson has a keen eye for talent,” Chloe replied, a playful glint in her eyes. “He decided to keep me on. How about that? Annoyed?”
Jessica’s jaw tightened.
- “You… Michael Thompson is making exceptions for her again!” she seethed to a nearby colleague. Still no leads on the mystery wife. Now another rival enters the picture.
- “Jessica, I have some tissues here,” the colleague offered, sensing her distress.
- “Get lost!” Jessica snapped.
Later, Chloe approached Michael’s office with a freshly brewed cup of coffee.
- “Mr. Thompson, your coffee, Mr. Thompson. No milk, no sugar, no ice, correct?”
- “Just leave it there,” Michael said, without looking up from his computer.
- “Is there anything else?” Chloe asked, lingering. “Aren’t you going to try it?”
- “Get out,” Michael replied, his voice firm.
Chloe sighed and left. Michael, however, took a sip. Oh. Not bad at all.
Jessica, ever observant, witnessed the interaction.
- “What do you think you’re doing, Chloe Miller? Don’t tell me you’re Mr. Thompson’s mystery wife.”
- “Are you insane?!” Chloe exclaimed, genuinely horrified. “How could I possibly be Mr. Thompson’s secret wife?!”
- “You had better not be,” Jessica warned, her eyes narrowed. “Or else I’ll…”
- “You lunatic!” Chloe muttered under her breath.
Just then, Chloe’s phone rang.
- “Got it. I’m on my way.”
She rushed out of the office. Jessica, seeing Chloe leave, immediately called Ryan.
- “Chloe Miller! You got what you wanted. Where is the money? I asked you to investigate Michael Thompson’s secret wife, not this woman! Dig deeper into it!” She hung up, fuming.
Ryan, now desperate, found Jessica again.
- “You dare to trick me, you bitch? Where is your promised return to Thompson Enterprises?”
Jessica’s eyes flashed with anger.
- “You want to hit me? Go on. Aim right here.” She gestured to her face. Ryan hesitated, proving himself a coward. “Coward. Chloe Miller is our common enemy. Only when she is gone can I bring you back.”
- “Chloe Miller,” Ryan muttered, a dark expression on his face. “What is your next move?”
Jessica smiled.
- “Fine. This time, I’ll make her suffer properly.”
The next day, the office gossip was still in full swing.
- “About CEO Thompson’s divorce from his wife, what’s your take on it?”
- “It’s not my business,” Chloe replied, trying to concentrate on her work.
- “Aren’t you interested in Mr. Thompson?” a colleague pressed. “If you like Mr. Thompson, go and pursue him! Stop harassing me all day.”
- “If you don’t like Mr. Thompson, why do you keep clinging to him?” another taunted.
- “I want to join the design department!” Chloe burst out in frustration. “You all keep blocking me! Besides, I’m already married!”
The office fell silent.
- “You’re married? When did this happen?!”
- “It’s stated on my resume,” Chloe said, exasperated. “So, can you all please stop targeting me?”
Jessica, who had been listening in, mused aloud, “Michael Thompson would never go for a married woman. I should focus on finding that mysterious lady first.” She then turned to Chloe, a sly smile on her face.
- “Fine. By the way, I need you to go to Redwood International to pick up Mr. Wilson.”
Redwood International? Mr. Wilson? Chloe thought, puzzled. Jessica continued,
- “Mr. Wilson is a key client. You must treat him with the utmost care. Do you understand?”
- “I’ll go,” Chloe said, leaving immediately.
Jessica watched her go.
- “She’s already gone. Get ready.” She then made a call. “That’s Chloe Miller. It’s her. Perfect. Leaving her post during work hours. Let’s see where she’s really going.”
Chloe arrived at Redwood International, a luxury hotel and convention center in Miami Beach. She found the room that Jessica had indicated.
- “Mr. Wilson, are you awake? I’m here to pick you up.” She knocked gently on the door.
A grunt came from inside. She tried the handle, but it was locked.
- “Mr. Wilson, please stay back! Open the door!” she called, hearing some muffled sounds. She decided to try the front desk. “I need to get the key card at the front desk. Yes, Mr. Thompson.”
Just then, Michael Thompson appeared in the hallway, looking furious.
- “Chloe Miller! I know you’re in there! Help!” His voice was sharp and commanding.
Chloe was startled. “What is Mr. Thompson doing here?”
Michael burst into the room, his eyes scanning Chloe, who looked flushed and disoriented.
- “Chloe Miller, look at yourself! What kind of state are you in?” He inhaled sharply. “What’s wrong with you? You smell amazing.”