chapter 5

A week had passed since Rita had confronted her father about her place in the family business. The heated discussion still echoed in her mind, but she remained firm in her decision. Unlike her brothers, who had been groomed from childhood to take over the company, Rita wanted to carve her own path. If she were to prove herself, it wouldn't be by walking into the boardroom as a privileged heiress. She would start from the bottom and earn her way up.

Dressed in a modest blouse and pencil skirt, Rita stepped into Blackwood Enterprises as an ordinary employee. She had refused any special treatment from her father, insisting that if she was to learn how the company truly operated, she had to experience it from the ground level. Her official title: Junior Secretary in the Administration Department.

The buzzing atmosphere of the open office space was a stark contrast to the luxurious top-floor suites where her father and brothers spent their days. Rita took a deep breath, adjusting to the unfamiliar environment. Employees bustled around, typing furiously, answering phones, and running between departments with files in hand. This was where the real work happened—the foundation of the empire her father had built.

"You must be the new secretary!" a cheerful voice broke her thoughts. She turned to see a young woman with glasses and a friendly smile. "I'm Linda. Welcome to the administration department. Mr. Harris, our department head, will be assigning you tasks. Don’t worry; he’s strict but fair."

Rita smiled. "Nice to meet you, Linda. I'm Rita."

Linda's brows furrowed slightly, as if recognizing the name, but she said nothing. It was clear that the employees were unaware of her true identity, just as she had hoped.

Shortly after, Mr. Harris, a stern-looking man in his fifties, appeared. He gave Rita a once-over before handing her a stack of papers. "Your first task is organizing these files. Everything needs to be categorized properly before the end of the day."

Rita nodded, rolling up her sleeves. She spent the rest of the day filing documents, making coffee runs, and answering calls. By the end of her shift, she was exhausted, but a sense of satisfaction filled her. She was beginning to understand the effort behind the company’s success.

Meanwhile, her brothers, Andrew, Nathan, and Lucas, were less than pleased when they heard about her decision.

"This is ridiculous," Nathan scoffed. "Does she really think working as a secretary is going to prepare her to run a billion-dollar empire?"

Lucas chuckled. "She'll probably quit within a week. She’s never done real work in her life."

Andrew, however, remained silent. He had always underestimated Rita, but a part of him was curious. Could she really prove them wrong?

As the days went by, Rita continued her work diligently. She built relationships with her colleagues, learned about company policies, and observed how decisions made at the top trickled down to the lower levels. She was determined to prove, not just to her father and brothers, but to herself, that she belonged in this company.

And she would do it on her own terms.

A week had passed since Rita officially joined her father's company. Unlike what many expected, she refused to take a high-ranking position and instead chose to start at the bottom as a secretary. She wanted to earn her way up, to understand the company from its core, and prove to herself and others that she was more than just the CEO’s daughter.

However, things didn't go as smoothly as she had envisioned.

From the moment she stepped into the office, whispers and judgmental stares followed her. Rita had anticipated some level of skepticism, but she never expected to become the target of outright hostility. Many of her colleagues, especially the female employees, viewed her as a threat. Her striking beauty and undeniable intelligence only fueled their resentment.

Rumors began circulating that she had joined the company not to work but to seduce the higher-ups and secure an easy promotion. Some accused her of using her charm to win favor with executives, while others saw her as a spoiled rich girl playing pretend. The jealousy was palpable, and the workplace environment turned toxic quickly.

Despite the rumors, Rita remained focused on her work. She handled every task diligently, double-checking her work to avoid giving anyone an opportunity to discredit her. But the more she excelled, the more enemies she made. Petty pranks, missing files, and false complaints became part of her daily challenges.

One particular morning, Rita found herself at the mercy of an unexpected setup. Mrs. Collins, a senior manager notorious for her sharp tongue and icy demeanor, had taken a particular disliking to her. Seeing Rita as a threat, she devised a plan to humiliate her in front of the company's most feared and respected figure—the director, Mr. Alden Monroe.

Rita was in the middle of sorting out some reports when Mrs. Collins approached her desk, an insincere smile plastered on her face.

"Rita, be a dear and take this coffee to Mr. Monroe," she said, handing her a steaming cup. "It's just how he likes it. Since you're eager to prove yourself, this will be a good way to show some initiative."

Rita hesitated for a moment. She had never been asked to do this before, but refusing might make her look uncooperative. She nodded politely and took the cup, making her way to the director’s office.

As she entered, Mr. Monroe barely acknowledged her, engrossed in a set of documents. Carefully, she set the cup on his desk. Just as she turned to leave, she heard the sound of the cup being slammed down with force.

"What is this?" his deep voice thundered, making Rita freeze.

She turned back, confused. "Sir?"

Mr. Monroe's eyes burned with irritation. "Are you trying to test my patience? You expect me to drink this? I hate caramel macchiato! Who told you I drink this nonsense?"

Rita’s stomach twisted in knots. She hadn't even thought to check the order, trusting Mrs. Collins' words. "I... I was asked to bring it to you, sir," she said carefully, her voice steady despite the anxiety bubbling inside her.

"Then maybe you should verify things before blindly obeying," he snapped. "I have no tolerance for incompetence. If you want to work here, learn to think for yourself!"

Rita could feel the burning gazes of those outside the office, eavesdropping on the humiliation. Heat rose to her cheeks, but she forced herself to remain composed. Taking a deep breath, she met his gaze and spoke with quiet confidence.

"I understand, sir. It won't happen again."

Mr. Monroe eyed her for a long moment before grunting. "See that it doesn’t. Now get out."