Chapter 21

As expected, Jonathan agreed with Alicia. He looked at her calmly and said, “It’s just a matter of some additional costs. You don’t need my approval. Go ahead and make the decisions.” Alicia smiled broadly. “You’re the best, Jonathan. I knew you’d agree. Before I came, the secretaries said you’d never waste your time on pointless things…” I laughed again. She was truly impressive, conveying so much in a few sentences. She was highly capable, handling projects independently; kind-hearted, unwilling to burden the township residents; and highlighted the secretaries' coldness and presumptuousness about Jonathan. She was impatient to prove herself, subtly stepping on others in the process. I finally understood my twenty-five-year-old self's devastation. My opponent had been formidable. Yet, given my personality, I couldn't understand taking Alicia so seriously. I’d never competed for love; relationships weren't battlefields, and I had no interest in wrestling for a man. If Jonathan's heart had strayed, I would have left. Why had I been pushed to the brink?

Footsteps sounded in the hallway. The secretaries' office was adjacent to the CEO's, so some were likely passing by. Their hushed conversation drifted in:

“Have you heard about Mr. Ford?” “Ms. Zimmer joining the company, or what happened between her and Mrs. Ford?” “Both are huge news!” “A new Mrs. Ford? I heard when Ms. Zimmer and Mrs. Ford fell in the pool, Mr. Ford saved Ms. Zimmer!” “Poor Mrs. Ford! She married into wealth despite her background, only to be publicly humiliated!” “She brought it on herself. They were sweet when they married, but she became overly possessive, targeting Ms. Zimmer, his childhood friend.” “That’s unfair. What woman accepts her husband’s childhood friend? Mrs. Ford is the wife, but… she overreacted.” “Mr. Ford crossed a line, too. Saving his friend instead of his wife practically announces a divorce. I wonder how much Mrs. Ford will get…”

The gossip stopped abruptly when they saw me at the doorway. The most vocal secretary stared, mouth agape. I merely smiled and raised a finger to my lips, shushing them.

“Ms. Sawyer…” A secretary forced a polite greeting, but I shook my head, signaling them to ignore me. Awkwardly, they hurried past, heads down.

“Why are we scared of her? She’s just Mrs. Ford in name only. Does she think she's above us?” “Exactly. She might rank below us now.”

Two secretaries muttered indignantly, quickly silenced by the head secretary, who offered an apologetic smile. I remained impassive. They entered Jonathan's office, but the head secretary, Sunny Maddison—a vaguely familiar name—soon emerged, apologetic.

“Ms. Sawyer, Mr. Ford wants you to come in…”

I nodded. Passing her, I entered the office. Alicia and Jonathan were politely distanced, but she remained beside him. Jonathan’s gaze was calm and unreadable.

“The secretaries said you were outside. Why didn’t you come in?”

I chuckled. “I didn’t want to interrupt.”