Chapter 4: The Woman Behind the Empire

Rose’s POV

I stepped out of the boardroom carrying the folders and empty cups. Vivian stood in the hallway, staring right at me.

She had heard what Jake said. I did not look away. Nobody spoke. Vivian broke the eye contact first.

“Jake,” she called out. He stopped and turned around. “You said you were going to introduce me to the department heads,” Vivian said.

Jake checked his watch. “Right.” He looked at me. “Bring the files.” I adjusted the folders in my arms and followed them out of the executive wing. 

The office was busy. People hurried past us as phones rang in the background.

“Morning, Miss Rose,” David, the security guard, said. He stood up from his chair as we approached.

“Good morning, David,” I replied.

Vivian noticed how he stood up straighter for me. She did not say a word, but I saw her face change. She walked faster to get ahead.

We walked into the finance department floor. Mark hurried to meet us with a folder.

“Morning, Miss Rose,” Mark said. “We have a quick question about the pending supplier payments.”

Vivian stepped right between us. “You mean Mrs. Washington,” she said. Mark blinked and stepped back. “I am sorry. Yes, ma'am.” “I will handle all the approvals from now on,” Vivian added.

Mark nodded, and opened his folder. “Should we release the payments to the overseas accounts today? The deadline is close.”

Vivian looked at the folder. She read the top line twice but did not speak. She had no idea what she was looking at. Mark stood there, waiting.

“We release them tomorrow after the tax review,” I said gently.

Mark let out a sigh. “Thank you, Miss Rose. I will hold them until tomorrow morning then.”

Vivian looked around. Several analysts were watching from their desks. She knew they had seen everything. Vivian turned to me..

“Since you are only an assistant now, Rose, go get my bag from the boardroom,” Vivian said loudly. She wanted everyone to hear her. “And get everyone here coffee. We are going to be here a long time.”

The typing in the room stopped. Mark looked down at his shoes. A young woman at the closest desk stood up.

“I can get the coffee, Mrs. Washington,” the young woman said softly. “Sit down,” Vivian snapped. “I gave an order to my assistant.”

The young woman sat back down fast. Nobody else dared to move. I kept a straight face. “Of course, Mrs. Washington.”

Jake looked from Mark to Vivian. He put his hands in his pockets and said nothing.

We left Finance and walked to the Marketing Department. sarah rushed out of her office holding a tablet, and she stopped when she saw Vivian.

“Mrs. Washington,” Sarah said. “The country club called again. They need the final layout for the charity gala next month. Are we doing the gold draping or the silver?”

Vivian stood up straight. This was her world.

“Silver,” Vivian said firmly. “Gold is too old for an evening event. And make sure the centerpieces are white orchids, not roses. Roses block the view across the tables.”

Sarah looked surprised. “White orchids. Got it,” she said, typing fast. “What about the seating chart? The mayor is coming.”

“Put the mayor at our table. I will review the full seating chart personally this afternoon. Send it over to my office by three.”

“Right away, Mrs. Washington. Oh, and the caterer wants to know about the dessert menu. Cake or fruit tarts?”

“Fruit tarts,” Vivian said immediately. “Cake is too messy for a gala. Send them the approval.”

“Yes, ma'am,” Sarah said. She smiled and went back to her office.

Vivian smiled and looked over her shoulder at me. She had finally found something she understood. She was not entirely helpless.

Jake watched Sarah walk away. He looked relaxed for the first time all day. 

 He turned to me. “Stay close to her today,” he said. “You already fired me,” I answered. “Not until the five months are over,” he said.

I walked past him without saying another word. There was nothing left to say. 

I walked toward the break room to put down the files for a minute. The door was open. Two staff members were whispering near the coffee machine.

“Did you see her?” a woman asked.

“Yes. Mr. Washington brought his new wife,” a man replied. “Does that mean Rose is really leaving?”

“I guess so. But the new wife does not know anything about the company. I heard she froze in Finance.”

“Really? What happened?”

“Mark asked her a simple question about payments. She just stared at him. Rose had to save her.”

“Wow. Mr Washington must be blind.”

I stepped back into the hallway so they would not see me. I wished they’d stop talking about me. I did not want people gossiping about my life.

My stomach suddenly turned. I bit my lips together and tried to ignore it, but it only got worse. Jake and Vivian were still talking, so I quietly slipped away before either of them noticed. I left my briefcase on the desk and rano to the restroom. I rushed into the last stall and threw up. 

When it finally stopped, I stayed where I was for a moment, trying to catch my breath. My legs felt  weak, and I wasn’t sure I could stand yet.

Then, I heard footsteps, and the main door was pushed open.

I stayed still. I covered my mouth with both hands and shut my eyes, trying to breathe quietly. I Waited for the person to leave before I stepped out of the stall. 

I rinsed my mouth, wiped my face with a paper towel, and walked out of the restroom. Mr Evans was standing near the water cooler. The moment he saw me, his expression changed.

“Are you alright, Rose?” he asked. “You don’t look well.” I forced a smile. “Just something bad I ate for breakfast.”

He did not look convinced. “Take care of yourself, Rose. Do not work too hard today.”

I watched him walk toward the elevators.

Inside the planning office, Vivian stood by the desk waiting for Jake to finish a phone call. She noticed my open briefcase on the chair.

She walked closer and looked through the glass wall. The hallway was empty.

She reached inside my bag and pulled out my notebook.

Vivian opened the cover. She turned the first page and found a list of our best supplier contacts. She turned another page and saw my handwritten numbers for the new city building project. One more page revealed the notes for Jake's next big press speech.

Vivian slowly closed the notebook and smiled. She checked the hallway one last time to make sure nobody was watching. Then she slipped the notebook into her handbag and closed it.

A minute later, I walked into the room and picked up my briefcase.

I walked away down the hall. I had no idea my notebook, the one thing that made me useful to them, had just been stolen.