The next morning, I took my time getting ready in front of the mirror. My reflection stared back at me as I adjusted the delicate neckline of my blouse and smoothed the creases in my blazer. The outfit was stunning, fitting for a first day impression.

As I posed in front of the mirror admiring myself, a smile crept up my lift and an inexplicable feeling of joy filled my heart. Today I was going back to the company, after three years. Today was the start of reclaiming what was mine and getting back at Kevin.

For years, I believed his lack of support for my career came from his care about me. I thought he wanted me to relax, to live comfortably. But now, I understand the truth. He wasn’t protecting me, he was afraid all this time. Afraid that I'll take over the company.

He’d always been afraid. Afraid of my potential, my ambition, and what I could achieve if I stepped into the spotlight. And now, I was going to make him feel that fear tenfold. I was going to make him feel more on edge before I completely ruin his everything.

I went to check on Kevin in his bedroom and when I opened the door and peeled in, Kevin was lying on his bed still fast asleep.

Without a word, I turned on my heel and left the room, leaving him to sleep. Although I had always tasked myself with waking him up in the mornings. I wasn't going to wake him up.

*****

As the car sped toward the company, a wave of nostalgia washed over me. It had been three years!

Three long years since I’d last stepped into that building, the place where I once considered home. I gave it all up for him—my career, my dreams, my future. And what did I get in return? Betrayal.

But today, everything was about to change. I clenched my fists, determination coursing through me. This wasn’t just about getting even. It was about going back to who I really am.

The skyline came into view, and my heart raced—not with nerves, but with anticipation. “Let’s see how you handle this, Kevin,” I thought, a smirk tugging at my lips.

As I approached the company building, I barely had time to take in the sight of it when a tall man in a sharp suit stepped in front of me. "Mrs. Theia," he said, his tone professional but cold. "Mr. Kaden has requested your presence. Please come with me."

I didn’t need to guess who this was—Dean, Kaden’s assistant. I had expected this, and honestly, it was the perfect opportunity I could ask for and without hesitation, I followed him to the sleek black car waiting at the curb.

Sliding into the seat, I came face-to-face with Kaden. He didn’t speak right away, his piercing gaze silently assessing me. Ignoring the piercing gaze, I extended my hand confidently, offering him a firm handshake.

"Good morning, Mr. Kaden," I said, flashing a polite smile. "Theia Bennett. Your new secretary. I look forward to learning from you and giving my best to support your work."

“You seem very confident in yourself,” Mr Kaden said, his voice calm yet laced with curiosity.

“I believe in making an impression, Mr. Kaden,” I replied, maintaining my polite smile.

Kaden’s lips quirked slightly, almost like he was amused. “You speak like someone used to getting what they want.”

“I speak like someone who knows her worth,” I countered with a simple smile on my face.

Before Kaden could respond, Dean his assistant snorted from the front seat. “As long as you’re not here to mess things up or act as a spy for Kevin, we’ll be fine.”

I turned my head to him, my smile unwavering. “Spy?” I echoed lightly. “Well, if qualifications mean anything to you, let me make it clear.”

"Let’s hear it," he finally said, his deep voice breaking the silence.

I leaned back, meeting Dean’s skeptical gaze head-on. “Harvard graduate, passed with honors. Two-time ACX competition winner. Five national debate championships. And, oh, two years as a director at Harmony Designs. So, if I were you, I’d be careful with the assumptions.”

Dean went quiet, his smugness dissolving into awkward silence.

I couldn’t resist letting a victorious smirk curl on my lips as I turned back to Kaden.

Kaden’s lips twitched, not quite a smile, but enough to tell me he was intrigued.

I met his gaze, looking into his eyes with confidence.

Kaden’s brows pressed together as he looked at me, his sharp gaze like he had a lot of questions to ask. “What exactly is your motive, Theia?” he asked, his tone calm but edged with suspicion.

I leaned back in my seat, meeting his intense stare boldly with a smile to my face.

Kaden was a simple and yet sophisticated looking guy with a handsome face and good looking body. A description of him would have been a true prince charming. His eyes were one that seemed to peer into your soul when it gazed on you, a very calm brewing storm.

“What brought you back so suddenly? I find it hard to believe it’s purely coincidence. You’re here for the company, aren’t you?” I asked leaning forward to observe him.

Hearing this, Dean scoffed from the front seat. “Why does it matter to you? If you must know, to secure the position we’re aiming for, our biggest obstacles are you and Kevin. So, tell me why should we care what you think?”

I tilted my head, smiling faintly at his hostility. “I’d advise you not to make the mistake of thinking I’m your enemy,” I said, my voice calm yet firm.

The suspicion on Dean’s face was still there, I couldn't blame him for that though, he was being just careful.

But Kaden’s expression remained unreadable. I couldn't tell what was going on in his mind. “If not an enemy,” Kaden asked, his tone clipped, “then what are you?”

“An ally,” I said simply. “I want to work with you, Kaden. To make you the next chairman of the company.”

Both Kaden and Dean looked at each for a moment before they burst into laughter, their amusement filling the car.

For the first time I saw Kaden laugh, from the moment I saw him, he always had a composed personality.

After a moment of laughing, Kaden leaned forward, shaking his head in disbelief. “You expect me to believe that? Why would you, of all people, collaborate with your ex-fiancé to take down your husband?”

I let out a low chuckle, my smile sharp and mocking. “That's simple, because my ex-fiancé happens to be better at business,” I replied with a smug expression on my face.

Kaden let out a light laugh, “You must be really good at flattering people.”

I shrugged my shoulders, “Actually it's not a Flatter, that's the truth.” I replied to him looking directly into his eyes.

Kaden’s laughter faded, and his expression turned serious. “Let’s say I’m listening,” he said cautiously. “What exactly are you proposing?”

I leaned forward slightly, my voice steady as I began to speak in a serious tone. “I don’t want anything from you. I’ll help you become the chairman of this company. You get what you want, and I get what I need.”

“And what’s that?” Kaden asked, his voice laced with suspicion.

“To watch him suffer,” I said coldly, my eyes flashing with a determination that made both men fall silent. “I want Kevin to lose everything while he still thinks he’s untouchable. I want to see him crumble.”

Dean’s expression turned to one of surprise and shock.

“What's going on here? This is your husband we're talking about!” Dean asked in a very surprised and flabbergasted tone.

Kaden himself seemed momentarily taken aback by the intensity in my voice. He leaned back, studying me with a mixture of curiosity. “This sounds personal,” Kaden said slowly. “What’s really going on here? Why would you betray your husband like this?”

Kevin and Dean both observed me closely, their eyes fixed on me. I took a deep breath, I was doing the right thing, I assured myself.

“About that,” I hesitated, letting the silence stretch just enough to make them wait for me to clarify what all this was about.

“What would you do, to the person who wanted to kill you if you found out earlier?” I dropped the question.

Kaden frowned, and Dean shifted uncomfortably wondering probably where all this was heading to.

Before either could respond, I continued, “Recently, I noticed a lot of life insurance policies my husband possesses. The life insurance was for someone who’s perfectly healthy, don’t you think that’s interesting?”

“Life insurance? For who? why?” Kaden nodded his head as he replied, but I cut him off.

“Think about it. Why would someone take out that much insurance all at once?”

I didn’t wait for an answer. Instead, I opened the car door and stepped out, leaving them both surprised.

“You're leaving already?” Kaden asked, observing me closely.

I turned back only briefly to deliver my parting words. “Accept this deal, Kaden. You’ll need me. There’s no better offer than this.”

Without waiting for a response, I walked away, leaving them in stunned silence. The ball was in their court now but I had no doubts, they’d come around.

I walked through the company doors and the buzz of chatter died down. Every head turned to me. I could see the shock on the faces of the people around as their eyes fell on me.

A feeling of nostalgia hit me as I looked at everyone, it had been three years! It got me all emotional for a second. But in the next moment, I managed to keep my emotions collected.

Kaden was walking a few steps behind me, exuded an aura of power and mystery, his tailored suit and sharp handsome features demanding respect without uttering a word. He earned some glances from around and nothing much until just then, the manager appeared and bowed in front of us.

“Mr. Kaden,” Daniel said, his voice trembling slightly.

That was all it took. The murmurs died instantly, replaced by stunned silence. The realization rippled through the room like a shockwave this was the Kaden, the mysterious figure everyone been expecting but no one had ever seen.

Daniel straightened, composing himself. “Sir, I’ll escort you to your new office.” He gestured toward the elevator, clearly eager to appease him.

I stepped forward, cutting him off. “Hold on,” I said, my voice calm but commanding. “Shouldn’t Mr. Kaden be given the topmost floor? Only the highest-ranking person in the company gets that space, isn’t that right?”

Daniel hesitated, clearly caught off guard by my question. His eyes darted nervously between me and Kaden before he finally stammered, “Well... that floor is currently occupied by Mr. Kevin Bennett.” Daniel signed to me.

I couldn’t suppress the laugh that escaped my lips. “Kevin?” I said, arching an eyebrow. “Mr. Kaden was invited here to take over as CEO therefore he holds the highest position in the company. Surely, the topmost floor should belong to him.”

Daniel’s face flushed, and he looked as though he might protest, but I didn’t give him the chance. I stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the top floor.

“Come on, Mr. Kaden,” I said, throwing him a smug smile. “Your office is waiting.”

The employees who had been watching in stunned silence exchanged wide-eyed glances at what had just happened now. I could feel the weight of their shock as Kaden followed me into the elevator without a word.

As the doors closed, I glanced at Kaden, whose expression remained unreadable. He didn’t protest or comment, but the faint upward curve of his lips told me he understood what I was doing.

“Although I don't full trust you get, the way you do things is very interesting,” Kaden signed wearing a smug smile on his face.

I shrugged my shoulders as I chuckled lightly. This was only the beginning. Kevin had claimed the top floor as a display of his dominance, but that was over now. And soon, I'll make sure everything he thought he owned would crumble around him.

“If you're honest and being serious, then I would like to be business partners, and who knows friends with you.” Kaden said with a straight face.

I only smiled and nod my head. The elevator doors flew open and we both stepped out. I knew that it wasn't easy to gain his trust but i must work this deal out.

*****

Bang!

After an hour since we moved inside, the office door suddenly burst open with a loud bang without any notice. I turned around, my smile soft and seemingly innocent.

Kevin stood there, his face was dark with a mix of shock and anger. He didn't even bothered to mask his emotions as his eyes darted between me and Kaden, who stood calmly by the window, his hands casually tucked into his pockets.

“Oh Kevin, you're here already.” I calmy called out to Kevin.

Kevin’s jaw tightened, his gaze locking onto Kaden. “What is he doing here?” he demanded, ignoring my question entirely. His voice was sharp, but there was an undercurrent of unease he couldn’t hide.

Kaden turned to face him, his expression impassive but his presence commanding. “Nice to see you too, Kevin,” he said after a moment of observing Kevin. “It seems the company has been running... adequately in my absence.”

My lips curled into a smile as I stepped forward to place myself between them. “Oh, Kevin,” I said, tilting my head innocently. “I thought you’d be happy to see your brother back. After all, he’s here to take the company to new heights. Isn’t that exciting?”

Kevin’s eyes narrowed, his anger now directed at me. “You knew about this?” he questioned.

“Of course,” I replied smoothly, maintaining my smile.

“You didn't see fit to let me know?” Kevin signed furiously.

“Of Course I did,” I shrugged my shoulders. “This is the surprise we talked about Kevin.” I pointed at Kaden.

Hearing that Kevin’s glare darkened, He wasn’t prepared for this, he was stunned!

This was the perfect effect I wanted on Kevin and it sure played out well. I wanted to burst out laughing but I still kept my innocent smile like I didn't know what was going on.