Chapter 3

I had agreed to it.

Georgia was one of the students Ryan personally recruited. Less than ten days after joining the company, she was already promoted all the way to executive secretary.

Before long, rumors around the office started reaching my ears. Someone from the secretary department quietly reported to me that Georgia often brought homemade lunches to Ryan’s office. The two of them would stay inside together for hours during lunch break, and nobody would see them come out.

Ryan’s explanation at the time had been perfectly calm.

"Georgia works incredibly hard, and she’s genuinely talented. I can’t suppress someone’s career growth just because she’s young and fresh out of college.

"I transferred her to work beside me because of her ability. She typically works through her breaks to manage my paperwork, so she simply eats in the office. Our relationship is purely professional. But if this situation causes you any distress or jealousy, I will have her replaced at once."

I wasn’t the kind of woman who interfered with company operations over gossip and speculation.

Privately, I reviewed Georgia’s resume myself and sat in on several meetings she managed. She was undeniably skilled—maintaining her focus, organization, and poise even under significant duress.

To be honest, I respected her drive. I went as far as paying off her student debt with my own funds, granting her a salary increase, and elevating her to the position of chief executive secretary. I even cautioned my staff against gossiping about a young professional attempting to establish herself.

I thought I was investing in someone with a bright future ahead of her. Instead, I was feeding the greed taking root in her heart.

At first, it was small things. She frequently used "retrieving documents" for Ryan as an excuse to enter our home, then secretly changed the passcode to our house to her own birthday. When I confronted her about it, she apologized with tears in her eyes.

That same night, she disappeared with a drunk Ryan. Neither of them answered their phones.

I spent an entire day searching for him and nearly called the police before Ryan finally contacted me and said he was already home.

I rushed back immediately. The moment I walked inside, I saw Georgia wearing my pajamas while cooking breakfast for Ryan in my kitchen. The second she saw me, her eyes filled with tears.

"I’m sorry, Mrs. Newman," she said softly. "I’m terrible with numbers, and I couldn’t remember your passcode. Mr. Newman was drunk, and I couldn’t get inside the house, so I had no choice but to take him to a hotel for the night. But don’t worry. Nothing happened between us."

Anger surged straight to my head. I was just about to speak when Ryan’s face darkened. He pointed directly at the door.

"Get out. If you can’t even remember a six-digit code and don’t know how to turn your phone back on, then maybe this job is too difficult for you. Don’t bother coming to work tomorrow."

The second Georgia heard that, she burst into tears. "I’m sorry, Mr. Newman! I didn’t mean to! Please don’t fire me! My mother needs surgery, and we still need $200,000 for the operation! My family is counting on my salary! If I lose this job, we’re finished!"

Ryan looked at her coldly. "Don’t apologize to me. Apologize to my wife. She’s pregnant, and you've made her upset and stressed. If Alexandria refuses to forgive you today, you can cry yourself to death, but you’re still leaving."

The next second, Georgia dropped to her knees in front of me.

Slap.

Slap.

She repeatedly hit herself across the face while sobbing.

"I’m sorry, Mrs. Newman. I just didn’t want to wake you in the middle of the night and affect your health."