Chapter 1

My mom, Eleanor, showed up still in her cleaner's uniform after a front-line rotation.

My boyfriend, Derek, took one look and lost it.

"Anya, You told me your mom was a high-powered executive. So what's with the janitor getup?"

I was about to explain, but Mom grabbed my hand.

"There is dignity in all honest work, Derek."

Derek rolled his eyes and dumped me.

The next day, he gave my promotion to the new intern, Chloe.

When I cornered him in his office, he sneered. "Fairness? I dated you because I thought your family had connections. Now I find out your mom mops floors? You think you still belong here?"

"I'll report you for this."I warned.

He tossed the intern's resume onto my desk.

"Report me? Her father is the Chairman. I suggest you quit."

I froze.

My mom founded this company.

A new Chairman. A sister I never knew. How?

Seeing me frozen, Derek mistook it for fear. His tone softened to a mockery of sympathy.

"Anya, you need to accept your station. Some are born with silver spoons. Others, like you, in the mud. If you want to blame someone, blame the family you were born into."

He leaned forward. "I'm willing to let your...outburst slide. But you owe me a lesson."

A hotel key card slid across the desk between us.

"I have a dinner with Mr. Harrison tonight. You will attend. And you will personally ensure he gets back to his room."

My blood ran cold. Everyone knew Mr. Harrison's reputation as a lecherous creep who treated business dinners as a prelude. Taking him to his hotel wasn't a courtesy. It was a delivery.

Derek was making me part of the deal.

I scoffed, snatching the key card.

His smile started to form, then I slapped him across the face with it.

Smack!

Surprise flashed in his eyes, then burned into pure rage.

"Anya, you dare refuse my generosity?"

I crossed my arms, my voice glacial.

"Who's truly shameless here?"

"Derek, asking me to 'escort' Harrison? We both know what that means. Don't make me say the ugly part out loud."

He was about to speak when the office door swung open.

Chloe, dressed in a frilly Lolita outfit, skipped in, one hand clutching a bag of greasy fries, the other a bubble tea.

As her team lead, I'd told her repeatedly that costumes weren't work attire. Derek had always overruled me.

Now I understood. He wasn't just humoring her. He was currying favor with who he thought was the CEO's darling daughter.

"Derek, I got us the most amazing-"

Chloe's cooing cut off as she spotted me. Her eyes narrowed into slits.

"Anya, you bitch, what are you doing in Derek's office?"

"Tell me, are you secretly trying to seduce my boyfriend behind my back?"