Chapter 32 You want Adeline to be someone's secretary? Have you lost your mind? someone immediately objected.[] "Our Adeline is brilliant, young gorgeous, and has a killer track record. Any CEO would trip over themselves to hire her. Once she hits the job market, headhunters will be circling like sharks ""] Adeline just smiled without commenting ( In truth, they were underestimating how well-connected headhunters were. About ten days ago, she'd already received calls subtly probing her career plans-long before any news of her leaving Harmonex had leaked [] The group continued their lively discussion] "Don't be so shortsighted! This isn't some receptionist gig! This is Chief Executive Secretary to the Dominex heir! It means access to New York's elite power networks. Play it right and you're set for life."[] "I know this company where the executive secretary was so badass, she got promoted to VP after a few years and ended up marrying the CEO. Talk about a career path] Dama you're making me want to apply myself![] "What does this Dominex heir even look like? Has anyone actually seen him? Is he hot? Nobody's seen him. Among the four Weasley siblings, only the eldest daughter makes public appearances. The other three might as well be mythical creatures. es.1 -0 The conversation drifted into increasingly absurd territory.[] Adeline listened with wry amusement. Seeing their romantic optimism made her feel like a world-weary nun watching children play with matches.[] Love was officially off her menu. But career-wise... that was worth considering She wanted to start her own business, but she'd realized that her professional network revolved around Tristan. Once she cut ties with him, who would still give her the time of day?]] She definitely needed to build more connections and credibility first.[] -.0 That evening, she called a well-connected socialite who moved in elite circles to inquire about Dominex & Co. and its mysterious heir.[] A sultry laugh came through the phone. "Checking out other men already? Aren't you worried your Kelce boy will throw a tantrum?"] "He can tantrum all he wants. Net my circus, not my monkeys. "Darling, are you two... actually splitsville? Gloria Carroll asked, curiosity dripping from her voice.[] ར་ར་ ༤༥༠ན་ད་ཚང་༤པ་ས་བར་ "Not officially. Yet Adeline was being subtle, but Gloria immediately caught her meaning. She sighed dramatically. " So the rumors are true. Eight years together, and Tristan turns out to be complete garbage. Men in 1 Gloria was refreshingly blun, which prompted Adeline to play up her vulnerability. That's why I need to look out for myself now . I heard the Dominex heir is hiring a secretary, and I'm thinking of throwing my hat in "Let me get this straight-are you after the man or his golden goose?" "For the rest of my life, I only worship at the altar of financial security." "Hahaha!" A seductive, full-throated laugh filled the phone. "Leave it to me , darling. I'll make sure you meet your golden goose in person."] Thanks, Gloria "Wait for my good news." After hanging up, Adeline sat down at her computer.[] The search results yielded pathetically little information Zarek Weasley..." she murmured, thinking it would be helpful to understand her potential future Just then, the study door opened.] personality and preferences beforehand 14 1 Tristan walked in [] Adeline quickly closed her laptop They each had their own study. In the passionate early days, they'd always been together, but gradually they'd evolved into a true boss subordinate relationship-coming home and not disturbing each other after work [] "Need something? She looked up barely luding her irritation] "Do I need a reason to come in now? "No, of course want After Fin gour you can run naked in here with Evelyn for all I care Tren's eyes fuckered suspiciously toward the laptop shed just deed, clearly lading something from him!] He sat down in a lounge chair in her study "There's something I wanted to discuss with you first "} Adelie " Spat out 1 Trutan considered hus words for a few seconds. Ivelyn wants to join your project department.1] Adele had already guessed that his pointe approach meant bad news, but this still felt like a punch to the gut Her expression visibly cooled "With all the departments in the company, she just has to mess with Project? Really?] Temian frowned Don't call it messing with the genuinely wants to accomplish something, which should be encouraged Adeline was furious enough to spal Lond. "If she wants to accomplish something fine, let her play with any department you want, but not Project! That's My department! Those are MY people!] Chapter 32 "Get real, Adeline. You've already resigned! You're not part of Harmonex anymore! Project isn't yours either!]] Adeline's words caught in her throat, making it hard to breathe.]] He was right. Harmoner was his. What right did she have to object or challenge him?] He wanted to take the fruit of her hard work to please his new lover, and there was nothing she could do about it.]] Seeing her reaction, Tristan softened his tone. "Don't assume the worst about her. I promise she's not going there to cause trouble. I'll keep an eye on her. "Whatever Adeline's voice was low and flat.] She was tired. Done fighting Frustration churned in Tristan's eyes. I'm telling you this ahead of time because I don't want you to be upset like you are now. I know you hate Evelyn, but you have to consider my difficult position. The two families are in the middle of partnership. Should I jeopardize our relationship with the Granthams just because of your personal vendetta?"] Adeline was stunned by his twisted logic What had she done wrong?] Her boyfriend stolen, her career taken, and now she was supposed to respectfully accommodate his mistress with a smile?[] Ha Apparently extreme grief really could trigger laughter. She tasted blood in her throat. [] H Three days later, Adeline went to the office to handle the transition.[] Evelyn, dressed in a Chanel suit, moved into Adeline's office with the a air of a conqueror.]] She threw out all the furniture and decorations. Adeline's wall of troplues and awards ended up carelessly dumped in a trash bin.[] The entire project department was on the verge of a meltdown] Everyone had been speculating about who would replace Adeline as department head. No one expected someone better, but they certainly didn't expect a clueless trust-fund princess.[] According to the secretarial staff, Evelyn couldn't even use a printer. She spent her days munching on snacks and playing games. After downloading sketchy games that infected her computer with viruses, she'd bullied the secretaries into giving her their computers, resulting in one secretary losing critical files.[ ] Most infuriating of all, the CEO had fired the victim instead.}]} No one wanted to imagine the chaos this spoiled brat would bring to the project department.[] In the office, Adeline began the handover process with an expressionless face . But just as she picked up some important documents, Miss Grantham launched into a tirade. "So, Adeline, how does it feel?" Evelyn sat in the chair, looking down at Adeline with smug disdain. " You've lost your man, you've lost your job. Everything you worked so hard for all these years, I can take with just a snap of my fingers. Want to know why? Because we're from different worlds. I'm elite; you're trash. I have powerful people backing me; you have nobody. In our circle, I've seen plenty of pretty little gold-diggers like you. You're just a sex toy for rich men. And you actually thought you could marry into the Kelce family? Know your fucking place." (2)