Refusal

The signs were all there, but I had no idea about them.

Matthew was watching me. He thought my indifference meant I wasn't mad, and he spoke in an even softer tone. "Go back home and leave this to me. You will get the explanation you deserve. Trust me."

I left the noisy hall and called my assistant.

"I need you to compile the company's transactions, important business proposals, work reports, and shareholder changes over the past year, then encrypt them and send them to me ASAP! Right now, if possible!"

My assistant answered calmly, "Got it, Mrs. Grayson. Right away."

…

It was already late at night.

Matthew was back. I heard the key turning in the keyhole. He was holding an immaculate paper bag. It was the delivery package from my favorite spot.

Matthew was carefully taking his shoes off at the porch and changing into slippers. Softly and gently, he said, "Are you still up, Wendy?" I could hear how much he was faking it.

Only a lamp was on in the living room. I was seated behind the desk, while the screen of my laptop shone in the near-darkness.

I met his eyes calmly. "Yes. I have work to do."

He put on a loving smile and approached me, then he set the paper bag down on the desk. "I can handle work. You don't have to work so hard. You should get plenty of rest."

He opened the bag and took out the food. It was still warm. Then he pushed the food over to me. Still gentle, he said, "I got you supper. Shrimp balls, your favorite. They're still hot."

I did not take the food.

I didn't even look at it.

Only silence remained now, and it was pressing down hard.

Matthew's smile froze, then he spoke again, this time relenting. "Are you still mad about what happened earlier? Ms. Wood's a fresh college graduate, and there's a lot she doesn't know about the workplace.

"I know she can be a bit rough around the edges, but she knows how to care for people. My mom's getting older, and she needs people like Ms. Wood."

He continued, "Yes, she went too far with you, and I've given her a proper scolding. She said she's sorry. We can give her a second chance."

He paused.

Then, he turned the attack on me, this time with a little flicker of resentment he did not notice. "And you did push her first. She's pregnant. If she lost her baby, we'd have a lot to answer for. We have to be reasonable."

I interrupted him, "Is she really? Whose baby is it?"

Matthew froze up, but then he smiled. "It's private. I can't just ask her that."

That acting was so bad, it made college students look like pros. I nearly laughed. Well, if he wasn't answering my question, I saw no point in pushing him.

Instead, I said, "Then, fire her. I see no point in keeping a secretary who can't even show any professionalism."

Matthew massaged his temples. This time, he did not back down. "I've talked to her, Wendy. She's just a pregnant college grad. Why do you keep pushing her? You can't have any children of your own.

"You don't get how hard it is for pregnant women. I think termination is taking it too far. And I'm in charge of all company affairs. So…"

He took a deep breath and softened up, but he still wanted to prod me. "So, just leave it at that. Let me handle it. I hired her for a reason."

Offensive Husband

I looked at him. This was ridiculous. The look on his face clearly said, 'I'm doing this for the greater good. You're being a child!'

Slowly, I stood up, and I met his eyes. "You're defying me for a mere secretary, Matthew?"

That question left a crack in his pathetic ego. "You're making a mountain out of nothing. And we're a family. Defiance shouldn't even exist between us. I made the company money, and all the shareholders recognize me.

"Ask them who's in charge, and they'll say it's me. You're telling me I can't even keep a secretary around?"

I did not break eye contact. Instead, a sneer curled my lips. "You make it sound like you're indispensable to the company."

"I know it's a hard-to-swallow pill, but it's the truth. You gave me your shares when you married me. You only hold 1%. My shares trump yours by a mile. I should've had the man of the family by now!"

Matthew was still relaxed. He pushed the warm food over to me. "I'm very grateful for everything you did for me, Wendy. You'll always be my wife, company or no company.

"You'll have everything a wife has, as long as you stay in line and don't cause a scene, get it? Now eat while it's still hot. Don't wreck your own body."

I snickered. "Pity I'm not going to stay in line."

His face fell, and he returned an icy glare to me. "Then, I'll have to make a move. Really sorry about that."

The storm came as promised the very next day.

…

What happened at the hall yesterday was posted online after heavy editing and embellishment. It made the rounds and topped the trending search list.

The titles were all ragebait and clickbait.

'Shocking News! Wife of Prosper Co. Chairman Abuses Pregnant Woman at Work! Causes Near Miscarriage!'

The photo that went with the caption was one that showed Rochelle on the ground, crying like a victim. Then there was also me, covering my cheek as I glared at everyone icily.

Rochelle posted an ultrasound on her personal page. The caption read, 'I'm sorry, my child. I failed you. I nearly lost you. All I wanted to do was help her get back up, but humanity is… terrifying.'

She tagged me in her post. 'I know you can't have your own children, but you're rich and powerful. Get some help. We're just trying to live. What did we do to you?'

She even tagged the company's official account and some of the more famous news outlets. The court of public opinion had a field day.

The Internet, blinded by its ignorance, attacked the barren wife of the company's chairman. Yes, that was me.

That scandal hit the company's reputation hard, and the share prices dipped. Driven by huge pressure, the senior executives called an emergency shareholder meeting.

Matthew invited me personally. The shareholders were seated around the round meeting table, and they wore different looks on their faces.

Matthew was in the main seat, while Rochelle stood beside him. She was holding his hand lovingly with one hand while touching her baby bump with the other.

He turned his gaze to me, and he spoke. "I called this meeting to discuss the company's future. As you are all aware, the company's reputation has taken a hit due to the inappropriate actions of certain people. Our shares have taken a huge hit as well. Our bottom line is at stake here."

Turn the Tables

A momentary pause later, he turned the room's attention to me. "And that someone is my wife, Wendy Jefferson! Not only did she throw a tantrum at the company's celebration party, she also, before the public eye, pushed and harmed a pregnant employee, Rochelle Wood! To call her actions dastardly is an understatement!"

He continued, "It has affected the public negatively and shaken the reputation of the company, not to mention the bottom line of the shareholders! As president of the company, on behalf of a majority of the shareholders, I hereby propose that we strip Wendy Jefferson of all her shares and company title, effective immediately!"

Most of the shareholders agreed right away.

"Mr. Grayson's right! That is the right move!"

"Wendy must take up responsibility for her behavior. She cannot stay, lest she hurts the company more!"

Rochelle couldn't hold back her greed anymore. "Wendy is a slut who schemed and plotted her way into a marriage by sleeping with Mr. Grayson! She's a barren bitch who goes after a pregnant employee because she's jealous! And now look what happened to the share prices!"

She persuaded, "Please, cast your votes now! The company does not need useless maggots like her! Unseat her!"

"A scheming, plotting bitch who slept with Mr. Grayson?" I rephrased it quietly, then I added, "I don't think you should call yourself a bitch, Ms. Wood."

"What?" That froze the smug look on Rochelle's face. "I am not—That's nonsense! It's slander!"

"Is it, really?" I sneered and turned my gaze to Matthew. "So, you're saying your baby isn't Mr. Grayson's? What about you, Matthew? Do you think so too?"

That twisted Matthew's expression. He was not expecting me to expose this scandal in this meeting, but now that we'd crossed that bridge, he tore off his mask.

"So, you know, then all the more reason for you to back off and let her take your place. It's the smart move. Since we got married, you did nothing for the company's operations, let alone expansion.

"Yes, they call you a shareholder, but you barely did anything. Only I can lead us to profit. The voting is just formality. It's your last shred of dignity. Don't push your luck!"

My eyes swept every single soul in the conference room like they were clowns juggling clowns in a circus.

I said calmly. "Very well, then I guess I should leave a parting gift. Leslie, turn on the projector."

Leslie said, "Yes, Mrs. Grayson."

Matthew scoffed. "You're calm, for someone the shareholders are about to kick out. Is this your ace in the hole? Or do you think no one can kick you out because you control the absolute majority of the shares? You gave your shares to me as a wedding gift, remember? You have no chance to turn this arou—"

The projector's screen lit up, showing everyone a clear picture of the latest data and shareholder hierarchy.

The name and percentage shown on the top of the list hit everyone like a sledgehammer, and silence grasped their souls.

Matthew shot up from his seat, and Rochelle stood up straighter. Their eyes were on the screen, and their gazes were filled with terror and panic.

"This can't be!"