Chapter 35: Madam No More
“Huh?” Ellis didn’t get it and didn’t feel like thinking about it either. Lois might end up being her boss. Working as a secretary for such a powerful woman sounded good, but why did every little thought somehow lead back to Easton? He had invaded every corner of her world. That needed to change. From now on, she was going to wipe him out of her life completely.
Maya was helping her go through company research when she suddenly noticed Ellis grabbing a tissue, scrunching it up viciously, then tossing it into the trash like it had personally offended her. Maya blinked. “What the hell was that?”
Ellis glared at the crumpled tissue in the trash, her teeth slightly clenched. “I thought of something so disgusting I couldn’t help myself.” At this point, Easton was filthier than non-recyclable trash to her. That rotten cucumber had been sleeping with Victoria while touching her, too. Ever since returning from the estate, she had been showering twice a day—morning and night—desperately trying to scrub away every trace of him. She could erase the scent and the marks on her skin. But the psychological disgust? That wasn’t going anywhere. Just thinking about that thing of his made her want to chop it off.
Maya looked confused. “What kind of trash are we talking about?”
Ellis ground her teeth. “Easton.”
Maya gave her a deadpan look. “We’re supposed to be talking about your job, and you’re over there thinking about that dog of a man? Are you bored or something?”
“It’s not what you think.”
Ellis wasn’t about to tell Maya that she had been drugged by her own adoptive mother and forced into Easton’s bed just a few days ago. She was still angry and disappointed about it, but saying it out loud felt like painting herself as a victim. She didn’t want pity. She wasn’t that fragile—she could handle it herself. She had already started cutting ties with Easton. Now, she was doing the same with her adoptive mother. She would still repay her for raising her, but beyond that, there was nothing left between them.
Maya didn’t press the issue. Instead, she focused on coaching Ellis for her interview—covering likely questions, helping her refine her answers, even taking her shopping for a few proper business outfits.
The next afternoon, Ellis arrived at Tate Group ten minutes early. Unlike the first round, this time her interviewers were from the executive office. She wasn’t sure of their exact positions, but she handled every question smoothly.
Then, one of them said, “The final round will be conducted by Madam Lois herself. Please follow me to another conference room.”
Ellis followed them to the elevator. But before they could enter the meeting room, a woman’s voice called out from the side. “Well, well, isn’t this Madam Easton?” The words carried a hint of confusion. “Our company has no business ties with Hudson Group. What brings you here?”
“Madam Lois,” the executive assistant with Ellis quickly greeted respectfully. Even if she had been completely oblivious, Ellis wouldn’t have needed to see the speaker’s face to understand what was happening. Lois was speaking to her. Before coming here, she hadn’t even considered the issue of her identity. She had just wanted to secure the job.
Her thoughts were a mess as Lois approached. When Ellis didn’t respond immediately, Lois gave her a scrutinizing look. “Madam Easton?” There was a time when Ellis had loved that title. Now, hearing it from someone else’s mouth, it carried the same humiliation that Easton had thrown at her.
Forcing herself to stay composed, she corrected, “Madam Lois, just call me Ellis.”
Lois had only been partially sure of her identity at first. After all, Easton was the head of a corporate giant like Hudson Group. His wife naturally attracted attention. Lois and Ellis had never been properly introduced, but she had seen Easton bring Ellis to events before. Back then, Ellis had been covered in designer labels, polished to perfection, dazzling in every way. But today, she was in a simple business suit, her makeup minimal, her hair tied back in a low ponytail. She wasn’t any less attractive, but the glow of high society had faded.
“Ms. Ellis?” Lois adjusted the way she addressed her, her scrutiny disappearing. “What brings you here?”
Ellis had come for a job interview, but suddenly, the words felt awkward on her tongue. Fortunately, the assistant answered for her. “Madam Lois, Ms. Ellis is here to interview for the position of your secretary. I was about to escort her for the final round with you.”
Lois had, in fact, come to this floor for that very reason—to personally select her next secretary. She hadn’t even received the candidate profiles yet, and now she had run into Ellis at the door. Hearing that Mrs. Easton wanted to be her secretary, Lois’s expression shifted slightly. She walked into the meeting room and then turned back. “Ms. Ellis, come in.”