“Mom, I still don’t want them to know about my real identity, so I’ll start from the bottom of the company before I become CEO,” I said, adjusting my lanyard as I stood near the marble pillars of the Steel Corporation lobby.

There was a soft sigh from the other end of the line. “But Camilla, it’s your birthright. You—”

“Please, just let me earn it,” I interrupted gently.

Before she could answer, a loud scoff cut through the air behind me.

“Oh, give me a break. Why are you here?”

I didn’t even have to turn around to recognize that voice. Amber Green.

She stormed toward me, snatched my phone right out of my hand, and tossed it to the side like it was trash. It clattered against the tiled floor, earning gasps from the new hires nearby.

“What the hell is your problem?” I asked, jaw tight.

Her eyes burned as she stood too close. “How the hell did a poor girl like you even get into Steel Corporation? You didn’t have a single slot for interview—yet somehow, your name is on the accepted list.”

She took a step forward, voice dripping with venom.

“What did you do, Camilla?”

I didn’t flinch. “It’s not my fault I’m better than you. Maybe they made an excep—”

“Exception?!” she snapped. “Or did you seduce someone from the inside?”

Then—with a smug, dramatic flourish—she pulled out a stack of glossy photos and hurled them at me.

They scattered like leaves in the wind. The lobby gasped again.

And my heart… dropped.

Photos. Of me. Talking to Harold Steel. Laughing. Walking with him after a private strategy meeting. Him—the board member. And my cousin. A person I trusted to help Mom run the company while I stepped into disguise.

Amber’s voice cut through the ringing in my ears.

I don’t know where she got those but she might have an eye inside the company so I really need to be careful.

I stared at her, then at the photos littering the floor. People had already started whispering. Some picked them up. A few even took pictures of them.

Amber’s lips twisted. “So that’s how you got in, huh? You seduced Harold Steel and got your way in like some desperate little whore.”

I met her gaze and let out a short laugh.

“Think whatever you want to think,” I said and walked away.

But I barely made it five steps before I felt her yank on my hair.

I spun around, furious, and shoved her back.

“I’m so done with you, Amber!” I shouted, loud enough to make heads turn. “Can you just stop?!”

She staggered but caught herself, glaring. “It’s unfair! You got in and I didn’t! Ugh! Such a seducer! No! I wouldn’t accept that! She slept her way in! That’s how she got in! This company is a joke!”

I didn’t turn back as Amber screamed and stormed off. I bent down to pick up my phone—thankfully not cracked—dusted it off, and calmly walked out the glass doors of Steel Corporation.

And there he was. James Diaz, my soon-to-be husband. When he spotted me, he smiled that smile, the one that used to melt my heart. Not anymore.

“Hey, baby,” he said, walking over. “You okay?”

I tried to hold my composure. “It’s nothing,” I murmured.

“Just a bad day. Amber Green decided to stir up trouble.”

His jaw tensed, eyes narrowing. “Amber? Again? Come on, don’t let her ruin your day. She’s nothing compared to you. Let her be jealous. She was always like that. What a spoiled brat!”

Then he leaned in and kissed my forehead, brushing my hair back with a touch that once felt comforting.

“How about we go on a date, love?” he said, slipping his arm around my waist like he always did. “You deserve a break since you got accepted, and it would be fun because we’re gonna be in the same company.”

I nodded slowly, letting myself lean into him. But deep inside, I wanted to strangle him.

I had known for months that the man who swore I was his world had been sleeping with Amber Green behind my back. For over a year. The same girl who called me garbage in high school. The same girl who just accused me of seducing my way into Steel Corp.

What a pair they made. It started with subtle signs—her perfume lingering on his shirt, unexplained late nights, the fake fights they both tried to stage in public. I kept quiet, watched, learned. I didn’t confront. I planned.

Because when you’re going to destroy someone, you do it quietly. Precisely.

We got into the car and drove down the quiet road near the bay. He played music like nothing happened, one hand on the wheel, the other reaching for mine.

And then, his phone buzzed.

He tried to flip it over fast, but not fast enough. I saw the screen light up.

AG: Ugh! I hate it. That bitch got in and I didn’t... I need you now, please spoil me. I miss you...

My eyes stayed fixed on the window as I felt his thumb twitch nervously against the steering wheel.

He cleared his throat. “It’s just... someone from work.”

“Mhm,” I replied, lips curling into a polite smile.

He didn’t know I saw everything. He didn’t know I already knew everything.

And I wouldn’t tell him. Not yet.

Because the girl he thought he was lying to was the same girl who would one day own the entire company. The reason why he even got the job in the first place.

Today, I let him hold my hand, drive me to dinner, pretend like everything was okay.

Because when I finally took off the mask?

When I told the world who I really was?

James wouldn’t just lose me.

He’d lose everything.

I should’ve left earlier. But Mom needed reassurance—again.

“You sure you’re okay, Camilla? Are you eating? Not too stressed?”

I was adjusting my blouse in front of her mirror, trying to keep my tone even. “I’m good, Mom. Just nerves.”

She sighed, reaching over to fix a stray lock of my hair like she did when I was a kid. “It still doesn’t sit right with me… you working there like an intern when you should be—”

“Shhh,” I whispered, kissing her cheek. “Let me do this my way.”

I left her penthouse ten minutes later than I planned—and ten minutes made all the difference.

Traffic was a nightmare. By the time I arrived at Steel Corporation, I was nearly out of breath. I raced through the lobby, flashing my ID at the front desk, and sprinted toward the elevators.

The doors were just about to close—until I saw her.

Amber Green. Smirking.

“Hold it!” I called out, practically yelling.

She looked me dead in the eye—and pressed the close button.

The elevator shut in my face.

I clenched my jaw, fists tightening at my side. Classic Amber.

By the time I reached the 19th floor through another elevator, orientation had already started.

Everyone was seated in rows inside the glass-paneled conference room. I tried to slip in quietly, but Mr. Langston, the orientation manager, turned with a sharp scowl.

“Miss... Camilla, is it?” he barked. “You’re late. First impressions matter here at Steel Corporation.”

My cheeks burned as everyone turned toward me, including Amber, who gave me a satisfied smirk like a cat who’d just eaten her prey.

“I’m sorry, sir,” I said calmly, bowing my head. “Won’t happen again.”

He didn’t respond, just waved me to the last seat.

As soon as the presentation was over, I started packing up my folder when the devil herself slithered beside me.

“Ohhh, looks like I got in here too,” Amber said sweetly, leaning close.

I didn’t look up.

“And unlike you,” she continued with a low, fake laugh, “who seduced your way through the system, they called me. Said they overlooked my application and realized I was the best fit. Makes sense, right? I mean, I am better than anyone else here.”

That made me almost laugh. Of course she got a callback.

Because I told my mother to give her a slot. Because what better way to make her pay... than to let her think she’d won?

I turned slowly to her and offered a small smile.

“Congratulations,” I said, voice like ice wrapped in silk. “I’m sure you’ll make quite the impression.”

Then I walked away. Later that day, whispers began circulating across the workspace like wildfire.

“They say the Steel Corporation’s daughter is working undercover with us.”

“Wait, what? Like a real-life drama?”

“No one knows who she is. Some say it could be Amber—she looks the part.”

I nearly choked on my water at that one. Amber. As the heiress? Please.

I kept to myself, focused on my tasks—data sheets, internal reports, and onboarding materials. Nothing glamorous, but I took it seriously. I didn’t want anyone saying I had it easy.

During break, I slipped into a quiet lounge and answered my mother’s call.

“Are you okay?” she asked immediately.

“Yeah, just… playing the part.”

She chuckled softly. “Your father would’ve been proud, you know. Starting from the ground.”

“I hope so.”

We chatted for a while. She told me Harold was keeping things smooth on the board, and I told her I’d keep my head down a little longer.

Then, from the hallway just beyond the lounge—I heard something.

A sharp gasp.

A low moan.

Voices. Familiar ones.

My skin prickled.

I stood up, walked carefully down the corridor, and peeked behind a partially open office door.

And my stomach turned.

Amber. Pressed against the wall. Legs wrapped around someone. And that someone… was James. My fiancé.

They didn’t even care enough to hide it. Not a whisper. Not a lock. Not even guilt.

I pulled out my phone and hit record. I didn’t flinch. I didn’t shake. I filmed until I had enough. Then I waited.

A few minutes later, James walked out, shirt rumpled, lips stained faintly red.

And when he saw me standing there?

He froze.

“C-Camilla—hey, sweetie. What are you doing here?”

I tilted my head, smiling softly, like nothing had happened.

“Just taking a walk.”

He swallowed hard, trying to adjust his collar like it could somehow hide his sin.

“Oh, sweetie,” I smirked, leaning closer to check on his neck. “What’s this red mark in here?”

My arms were still crossed when he stepped closer, lips stained, collar creased. He had the audacity to smile.

“What’s that mark on your neck?” I asked, voice cold but casual.

James blinked, then rubbed his neck as if only now realizing it was there. “Oh. That? Mosquito bite. I stepped out to the emergency exit to get some fresh air and… you know how it is.”

A mosquito, huh?

I glanced at the pattern of red splotches—definitely not from a bug. Hickeys. Deep. Purposeful.

He didn’t even try to lie well.

Before I could respond, he quickly changed the topic.

“Anyway, we should go. It’s not good to be seen together too much here. Office dating and all… It’s not allowed.”

I didn’t say a word. Just nodded.

He exhaled in relief, clearly mistaking my silence for ignorance or forgiveness. “Let’s see each other later, yeah? Have a little date? Just the two of us.” He kissed my cheek like nothing happened and walked away, whistling.

I stayed behind, staring at the spot where he had stood, the back of my neck buzzing.

Later that afternoon, the conference room was filled. A meeting with upper management. Everyone was there—board members, senior staff, trainees, even Amber, who sat too close to James.

James, who had a position thanks to me.

James, who truly believed he’d earned it all on his own. I took a seat near the back. Out of sight, but not out of reach.

The room dimmed. James stood at the front with a clicker and smug confidence. "Today, I’ll present a strategy that’ll take our marketing to new heights."

I almost laughed. That strategy was mine.

Late nights in our old apartment. He’d complain about not understanding the numbers. I’d stay up making slides, organizing data, turning everything into bite-sized pieces he could present like they were his own.

I told myself it was love. That helping him made him happy.

But it wasn’t love. It was manipulation. And I was blind. I remembered the night I heard him talking to Amber on the phone—he thought I was asleep in the bedroom.

“So why haven’t you dumped her yet?” Amber had asked, laughing.

“Because she’s valuable to me. Once I’m promoted, I’ll dump her myself,” James said. “She’s clingy, but she’s useful—for now. Don’t worry, I’m all yours, and it’s not like the wedding will happen… I’m just giving her hope.”

After the meeting, James approached me, buzzing with excitement.

“Babe, they loved it,” he grinned. “You’re amazing. I need another favor. There’s this upcoming pitch—big promotion opportunity. I need you to do what you do best. Can you prepare it for me?”

I smiled. “Of course. I’ll take care of it.”

He kissed the top of my head and walked away like I was his assistant.

That night, I sat in my room, surrounded by notes and graphs, trying to convince myself to finish it—one last time.

Until I opened my phone and saw her.

Amber Green. A picture of her standing by the bay, the sky lit with fireworks behind her.

Caption: “Beautiful night with my favorite person.”

Then I clicked the video. She was giggling. Spinning the camera. And there he was—James—smiling at her, holding a drink.

My breath caught. So that’s where he went.

While I sat here, helping him build a career, he was out celebrating his lies.

I closed my laptop slowly. I didn’t cry. I didn’t rage.

I just… sat. Then I made a decision.

No more helping. No more excuses. No more playing.

The next morning, I didn’t go to the office. No texts. No explanations. By noon, James had called seven times. By 3 p.m., it was seventeen.

I didn’t answer as he kept on messaging me. I looked at his name flashing across the screen.

Then I hit block.