Chapter 2: The Secretary's Judgment

Olivia stumbled backward as the conference room door slammed shut.

The loud bang echoed through the empty room.

"What are you doing?" she demanded, trying to steady her breathing.

"I'm warning you, don't touch me."

Claire folded her arms and looked Olivia up and down with open disdain.

"You women never learn."

"Every week someone tries to throw themselves at Mr. Bennett."

"Fortunately for him, I'm here to deal with shameless women like you."

"You've misunderstood everything," Olivia said.

"I just need to see Nathan."

"Nathan?" Claire laughed mockingly.

"Now you're calling him by his first name?"

"How disgusting."

"Only people close to him call him that."

"I am close to him," Olivia replied firmly.

"If you would simply call him, he'll explain everything."

"Enough!"

Claire slammed the lunch bag onto the conference table.

"Do you really think I'm stupid?"

"I've worked beside Mr. Bennett for two years."

"I've never seen you before."

"Because I don't usually come to the company."

"That's the worst excuse yet."

Claire opened the insulated containers one by one.

The aroma of freshly cooked steak and mushroom soup quickly filled the room.

"Trying to win his heart through his stomach?" Claire sneered.

"How pathetic."

She picked up the container of hot soup.

"Please don't!" Olivia cried, instinctively protecting her stomach.

"This took me hours to prepare."

"Exactly."

Without hesitation, Claire poured the steaming soup over Olivia's shoulders.

"Ahh!"

The burning liquid soaked through her dress.

Pain spread across her neck and arms.

Olivia gasped as tears instantly filled her eyes.

"Stop!"

"Please... I'm pregnant!"

Claire froze for half a second.

Then she laughed.

"Pregnant?"

"That's even more ridiculous."

"Every mistress eventually claims she's carrying the CEO's baby."

"I'm telling the truth!"

"You expect me to believe that?"

Claire grabbed the container of roasted vegetables and dumped them over Olivia's head.

"If you enjoy cooking so much, wear it."

Sauce dripped down Olivia's face.

Her hair became sticky with food.

She wiped her eyes desperately.

"Please... just call Nathan..."

"Still acting?"

Claire suddenly yanked Olivia's handbag away.

"Let's see who you really are."

Olivia reached for it.

"Give it back!"

Claire shoved her hard.

Olivia lost her balance and crashed against a chair.

A sharp pain shot through her lower abdomen.

Her face instantly turned pale.

"My baby..." she whispered.

Ignoring her obvious pain, Claire emptied the contents of the handbag onto the floor.

A wallet.

Lipstick.

Phone.

Hospital documents.

"What's this?"

Claire picked up the folded medical report.

She barely glanced at it before tossing it aside.

"Fake pregnancy papers?"

"You really came prepared."

"Those aren't fake!" Olivia cried.

"They're from today's appointment!"

"You're wasting my time."

Claire stepped forward again.

"Women like you only understand one language."

She grabbed Olivia by the hair.

"Leave this building and never come back."

"Or next time it'll be worse."

"Let go!"

Olivia struggled to free herself without hurting her stomach.

The movement only made the pain stronger.

"Someone... help..."

Outside the conference room, several employees had gathered.

Whispers spread through the hallway.

"What's happening in there?"

"Claire's teaching another woman a lesson."

"Didn't she say the woman was trying to seduce Mr. Bennett?"

"She probably deserves it."

No one opened the door.

No one questioned Claire's authority.

Inside, Olivia slowly slid onto the floor.

Cold sweat covered her forehead.

Her vision blurred.

Then she felt something warm running down her leg.

Her entire body froze.

"No..."

With trembling fingers, she touched the fabric of her dress.

Bright red blood stained her hand.

"My baby..."

At that exact moment, the conference room door handle began to turn from the outside.

A deep, familiar voice echoed through the hallway.

"Claire? Why is this room locked?"

Nathan Bennett had arrived.