Chapter 1

I was an orphan. Completing my education and getting into one of the country's top research labs was only possible due to the support of my mentor, Steven Lynch.

He gave me a lot of care and was like a father to me. So, since I was facing the fiance he'd chosen for me, I was willing to be more patient.

If Jonathan Ford could handle this properly and give me the explanation I deserved, I wasn't averse to giving him another chance.

"Sophia? What is it?"

Things sounded lively on Jonathan's end of the line, like guests were speaking around him. He answered them first before lifting the phone to his ear, seemingly not having heard a word I'd said.

"Come get me and bring me into the venue. Your secretary—"

Before I could finish, he clicked his tongue, impatience dripping from his voice. "What do you think you are, a princess? You can't walk in here on your own two feet? I'm busy greeting the guests. Where would I find them to fetch you? Get in here on your own."

With that, he hung up, leaving me with nothing but the dial tone.

Linda covered her mouth and laughed, her eyes filled with scorn. "I follow all of Mr. Ford's instructions. If you want to go in, then get in there on your own—if you can. I won't stop you if you can manage it."

I could stay calm through the toughest experiments, but dealing with people who threw tantrums for sport gave me a pounding headache.

"Ms. Jones, are you that confident your position is secure? Is blocking your CEO's fiancee at the entrance to the venue part of your career plan?" I asked.

"Shame you've got such a sharp tongue. Compared to a professional like me, Mr. Ford hates useless airheads like you more," she retorted.

I looked at her icily. "A professional? One who has lewd thoughts about her boss? Does Jonathan know that his secretary is like a dog who drools over him every day?"

That made Linda mad. Her face turned red with rage and shame. She raised her hand, swinging it at me.

I backed up, dodging her attack. "So, you resort to violence when you can't handle the truth? Do you also slap others when you botch business deals? Wow, what a professional you are."

"Pin her down!" Linda's shrill voice cracked after I exposed her.

She sucked in a breath, glared, and pointed at me with a trembling finger.

The security guards, who'd been watching the show, heard her and started toward me.

"Are you going to join Linda in being stupid? Do you realize the person you're about to manhandle is Jonathan Ford's fiancee?" I tried to get them to keep a level head.

The security guards exchanged looks. Then, the lead guard spoke apologetically, though his eyes mocked me.

"Ms. Rook, we're just following orders. Please be understanding. Ms. Jones has Mr. Ford's favor, while you're just a tool in an arranged marriage with no background. If your late parents suddenly came back to life with some earth-shaking connections, then we'd definitely apologize to you."

I'd donned an elegant gown and heels for the engagement ceremony. I managed to dodge the guards twice, but they soon caught me by the arms and forced me into a half-kneeling position before Linda.

She looked darkly at my face before suddenly baring her teeth in a feral grin. She lifted her hand, ready to slap me, her manicured nails gleaming under the lights.

I squeezed my eyes shut.

"Stop this!"

A low voice, edged with anger, rang out. Linda's hand froze mid-air.