Chapter 3

Sophia's POV

"Victoria," I managed to say, my voice surprisingly steady. "Congratulations on the engagement and the promotion."

"Thank you, darling!" She stepped closer, lowering her voice to a whisper only I could hear. "I hope there are no hard feelings. Business is business, isn't it? And as for Alexander... well, you must have realized he needs someone who's on his level."

Every word was calculated to hurt, to remind me of my place. I swallowed hard, refusing to give her the satisfaction of seeing me break down.

"Where is my office now?" I asked, deliberately ignoring her provocation.

Victoria's smile widened. "Oh, you didn't get the email? There have been some changes to the department structure. Your new workstation is over there."

She pointed to a cubicle in the corner of the open floor, far from the windows, near the newly hired interns. A cubicle. After three years as a director, with a private office overlooking Central Park.

"This is ridiculous," I protested, feeling the anger rise. "I am still the Marketing Director. My contract clearly states—"

"Your contract states that you report to the Vice President of Marketing," Victoria interrupted, her tone falsely sweet. "Which is now me. And I decided it would be better for the team if you were more... accessible."

I looked around and realized everyone was pretending to work but was clearly listening to every word. This was the public humiliation Victoria had planned. Showing everyone that she now had power over me.

"Besides," she continued, "I thought you'd like to know the executive meeting has been moved up to 9 a.m. Alexander wants me to present my vision for the department."

My vision. The plans I had developed for months, the strategies I had created, everything would be presented by Victoria as if they were her own ideas.

"Those are my projects," I said through gritted teeth. "I spent months developing those strategies."

Victoria shrugged, indifferent. "Well, they're my projects now. Unless you want to discuss it with Alexander?"

The mention of his name was like a punch to the gut. No, I didn't want to see him. I wasn't ready.

"I thought not," she smiled, triumphant. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to prepare for the meeting. Oh, and Sophia? Coffee with milk, no sugar. You know how I like it."

She entered the office that was once mine and closed the door, leaving me standing there, humiliated in front of the entire team I had led.

With my head held high and my legs trembling, I walked to the designated cubicle. It was small, impersonal, with an old computer and a worn-out chair. On the desk, a stack of reports that would normally be assigned to junior assistants.

I sat down, trying to ignore the pitying looks from my former subordinates. I turned on the computer and opened my email, only to discover my access to several systems had been revoked. I could no longer see the financial reports, the strategic plans, nothing that was truly important.

I was about to call IT support when my phone rang. It was from the reception on the 50th floor – the executive floor where Alexander's office was.

"Miss Morgan? Mr. Reed would like to see you in his office immediately."

My heart raced. I wasn't prepared for this. Not now.

"Tell him I'm busy reorganizing my new... workstation," I replied, unable to hide the bitterness in my voice.

There was a pause on the other end of the line. "He said it's urgent, Miss Morgan. And that if you don't come voluntarily, he will send security to escort you."

I closed my eyes, feeling a wave of humiliation wash over me. He wouldn't do that. He couldn't be that cruel.

But I knew he would. Alexander Reed always got what he wanted, no matter who he had to destroy in the process.

"Tell him I'll be there in five minutes," I replied, hanging up before my voice could betray the storm of emotions consuming me.

I stood up, adjusted my blazer, and walked toward the elevator, feeling the eyes following me. In the elevator, I tried to compose myself. I wouldn't cry. Not in front of him. Never again.

The 50th floor was different from the rest of the building. Italian marble floors, original artwork on the walls, exclusive designer furniture. Alexander Reed's empire in all its glory.

His secretary, an older woman who had always treated me coldly, as if she knew about my relationship with her boss, waved me in without even announcing my arrival.

I took a deep breath and opened the door to the huge office. Alexander was standing by the window, watching the city at his feet. He always liked that position – like a king contemplating his kingdom.

"Close the door," he ordered without turning around.

I obeyed, hating myself for still responding so readily to his commands.

"You didn't show up at the party after our conversation in the elevator," he commented, finally turning to face me.

He was impeccable as always, in a navy blue suit that accentuated his eyes. No sign of Friday night on his rested face. No indication that he had destroyed someone who loved him.

"I didn't see a reason to stay," I replied, keeping my voice steady.

Alexander walked to his desk, indicating the chair in front of him. "Sit down."

"I'd rather stand."

A flash of irritation crossed his face. Alexander Reed was not used to being contradicted.

"As you wish," he said, sitting in his leather armchair. "I called you here to clarify a few things about your new... position in the company."

"You mean my public humiliation?" I couldn't contain the sarcasm. "Cubicle, Victoria treating me like an assistant, revoked system access? It's all very clear, Alexander."

"Don't be dramatic, Sophia," he sighed, as if I were a child throwing a tantrum. "Business is business. Victoria has the connections and pedigree needed to take the marketing department to the next level."

"Pedigree?" I repeated, incredulous. "She's a person, not a purebred dog."

A cold smile curved his lips. "You know what I mean. Victoria comes from an influential family. Her father is a senator, her mother chairs three Fortune 500 company boards. She has opened doors you never could."

Every word was a stab. It wasn't enough that he had betrayed me; he needed to make it clear that I would never be enough because of my origins.

"Then why keep me in the company?" I asked, crossing my arms. "Why not just fire me?"

Alexander leaned forward, his piercing blue eyes fixed on mine. "Because you're good at what you do, Sophia. Despite everything, I recognize your talent. And I don't want it benefiting our competitors."

"So that's it? You keep me in a cubicle, humiliated, just so I don't work for another company?"

"That and the fact that you can't afford the severance penalty in your contract," he replied coldly. "Unless you won the lottery over the weekend."

I bit my lip, holding back the acidic response that threatened to escape. He was right, and we both knew it. I was trapped.

"There's one more thing," Alexander continued, opening a drawer and taking out an envelope. "The invitation to our engagement dinner, next Saturday. Your presence is mandatory."