Chapter 2

She sent two photos.

One was an intimate shot, the other a screenshot of the comments section on her Ins Story.

She clearly desperately wanted me to see them, yet feigned an explanation:

"Audrey, the sea breeze was too strong, Marcus just helped me to steady myself, don't overthink it!"

Seeing the photos, Marcus also messaged me with the same excuse.

I smiled, replying: "No worries, stay safe." I put an orange segment to my mouth, my voice even as I replied to Megan:

"Until Lily goes to college, I won't get involved in company matters, not even a bit."

She shrieked in protest on my behalf:

"Not involved? She's practically acting like the lady of the house already!"

"I remember she used to be just your assistant."

"She's clearly getting way too close to your husband, and you're just going to sit there?"

She had just returned to the country, so she wasn't fully aware of everything.

For instance, Chloe and Marcus's relationship had been going on for over ten years.

I let out a soft laugh.

Megan was exasperated with me.

"You're laughing? She doesn't even see you! Audrey Montgomery!"

She wasn't wrong.

Chloe's attitude toward me had followed a clear, discernible trajectory.

From the initial reverence she showed when she joined the company as my assistant.

To her tentative assumption of my work when I went home during my pregnancy.

Then, to an air of equality after she and Marcus successfully completed several major projects.

Finally, during my pregnancy, my dad passed away, and Marcus took full control.

She began to treat me with an unconcealed, victor-like disregard.

I wiped my hands, placed the phone on the kitchen counter, and continued slicing apples for a fruit platter.

"Megan, tell me, what's the most efficient, lowest-cost reward for a loyal, exceptionally capable subordinate?"

"A promotion? A raise? Shares?"

"None of those," I said softly.

"It's to show them favoritism, to make them feel special, so they willingly dedicate everything to you, and still believe they're getting the better deal."

The other end of the line fell silent.

I slowly wiped my hands clean, walked to Lily's study to give her the fruit as she did her homework, then closed the door and continued:

"All of this, I tacitly allowed."

"Because from a corporate management perspective, it's the lowest-cost way to control subordinates."

"Only, Marcus always thought…"

"He was the one in control."