The CEO’s secretary slapped a new temp and claimed she was married to the boss—never knowing the "temp" was actually the billionaire heiress who owned 64% of the company.

The next morning, the sky over Chicago was covered in dark, stormy clouds. Rain tapped steadily against the high glass windows of Hartwell Industries' executive floor.

By eight-thirty a.m., the atmosphere on the fifth floor was electric with nervous energy.

Celeste Price was strutting through the hallway in a white designer dress, bark orders at two junior assistants. She was wearing a thick layer of makeup, trying to hide the red patches on her skin from yesterday's stress, but her canary diamond ring was still prominently displayed on her left hand.

When she saw me step off the elevator, her face hardened into absolute disdain.

I wasn't wearing my temporary employee lanyard today. I was wearing a tailored charcoal-grey pantsuit, high heels, and my hair was swept back into an elegant, uncompromising bun.

"What are you doing back here?!" Celeste barked, marching over to me with her arms crossed. "Mr. Bennett gave explicit instructions to security that you were banned from the premises! How did you even get past the lobby desk?!"

"The lobby guards know who pays their salaries, Celeste," I said, walking past her toward the main boardroom.

"Stop right there!" She grabbed my shoulder, her long nails digging through my jacket. "The board of directors is arriving in ten minutes! Marcus Sterling from Sterling Global is already inside! If you ruin this meeting, I will have you arrested for criminal trespassing!"

I turned around slowly, looking at her hand on my shoulder until she felt the sheer authority in my posture and pulled back.

"Where is Julian?" I asked calmly.

"Mr. Bennett is in his private office preparing his final presentation," she sneered. "A presentation that will make him the primary shareholder of this firm by noon today! So take your cheap suit and get out of our building!"

"Our building?" I raised an eyebrow. "You really believe he's going to share this with you, don't you?"

"He loves me!" Celeste hissed, leaning in close so the junior staff couldn't hear. "He’s divorcing you next week! We already bought a villa in the South of France with the consultancy fees from this transaction! You're just a relic from his past, Maya. A boring, rich girl whose father had to buy her a husband!"

Before I could answer, the double doors of the elevator opened.

Seven men and women in dark, tailored suits stepped out. They were the independent board of directors of Hartwell Industries, accompanied by Marcus Sterling—the ruthless CEO of our chief rival, Sterling Global.

Celeste's posture transformed instantly. She put on her sweetest, most professional secretary smile and rushed over to greet them.

"Good morning, members of the board! Mr. Sterling!" Celeste chirped, bowing her head politely. "Welcome to Hartwell Industries. Mr. Bennett is expecting you inside Boardroom A. Refreshments have been prepared."

Marcus Sterling, a tall man with silver hair and cold blue eyes, barely glanced at her. His eyes landed directly on me standing near the glass doors.

"Mrs. Bennett," Marcus said, stepping forward and extending his hand with deep respect. "It's an honor to see you again. Your late father was a great man."

Celeste froze mid-smile, her eyes wide with total confusion. "I... I'm sorry, Mr. Sterling? Did you say... Mrs. Bennett?"

Marcus looked at Celeste as if she were an annoying fly. "Of course. Maya Bennett, chair of the Hartwell Family Trust and primary owner of this corporation."

Celeste's face went completely white. She turned her head slowly, staring at me as if I had just transformed into a stranger before her very eyes.