Chapter 2 Marlene's strength was no match for Dewey's hulking frame . Just as despair began to swallow her , her fingers closed around a beer bottle on the table With a surge of adrenaline , she swung it with all her might , smashing it against Dewey's head . Blood gushed instantly , and Dewey collapsed with a muffled groan , crumpling to the floor . Marlene's breath hitched , her hands trembling uncontrollably . She stumbled back , collapsing onto the floor . It took several agonizing minutes before she could drag herself out of the restaurant , her legs barely holding her up . Outside a convenience store , she fumbled for a pack of cigarettes , her hands shaking so badly she couldn't get the lighter to catch . " Smoking after drinking like that ? You're going to feel like hell tomorrow , " a voice drawled . A man in a hoodie leaned casually against the doorframe , watching her with an easy grin . " I'm a doctor , and here's some free advice : chug some honey water . It'll help . " " Get lost , creep ! " Marlene muttered , slipping away in her high heels without looking back . The next morning , the shrill blare of her alarm jolted her awake . Her head 000 08.23 Chapter 2 H78 Vouchers throbbed like it was splitting open , but she forced herself through a full face of makeup before heading to the office . Marlene had barely stepped through the door when a young woman , barely out of her teens , charged at her , flinging a splash of red ink across Marlene's face . " You filthy homewrecker ! How dare you seduce my dad ! " The office froze , every eye on them . The red ink dripped down Marlene's cheeks . Before Marlene could process what was happening , the girl grabbed a fistful of her hair , yanking viciously . " Look at this shameless slut , trying to steal my dad and play mistress ! Well , it's not happening . " She works here , doesn't she ? Sleeping her way to the top , huh ? She's tried to seduce my father ! " It didn't last long before security rushed over and dragged the girl away , though she kept hurling insults until she was forced out . Marlene stumbled to the bathroom to clean up . Red ink smeared across her skin and clothes , painting a pitiful picture in the mirror . She pulled out her phone , her fingers quivering as she started to dial the police . But a hand shot out , pressing down on the screen . " Dewey's in the hospital because of you , " Kenyon said , his voice devoid of warmth . His expression was all sharp edges , brimming with irritation over the botched deal . Marlene met his gaze , her mind flashing to the way his eyes used to 20.71 % 08:23 Chapter 2 239 Vouchers soften in moments of passion . Now , however , they were cold and distant , like she was a stranger . " Our deal with Dewey's dead , " Kenyon continued , his tone clipped . " If you go to the police , you'll drag the company into a PR nightmare . " In the adult world , everything comes down to gains and losses . And you didn't exactly lose anything last night . Let's just drop it . " A bitter laugh escaped her lips . Marlene stared at him and said , clear and cutting , " Get out . " Back at her desk , she pulled her resignation letter from the drawer , double - checking every detail . Not before long , she'd tricked Kenyon into signing a contract . He hadn't even bothered to glance at the details , so he didn't know that it was her resignation letter . This would be her final month here . Once she wrapped up all her handovers , she would be free . In his office , Kenyon tossed a black bank card onto the desk , his eyes glued to his computer screen . " I messed up yesterday ; " he said coolly . " There's 30 thousand dollars on that card . Go treat yourself to a new bag . " He paused , then added , " Meet me at the usual spot tonight . " Marlene picked up the card , her fingers tracing its sleek edges . This was Kenyon's way - hurt her , then toss her a shiny trinket to smooth it over . To him , a secretary who could warm his bed without causing trouble was convenient , nothing more . 45.33 % 08.23 Chapter 2 ZRB Vouchers She stared at the card for a few seconds before snapping it in half with a sharp crack . " Mr. Burt , the game's over . You said it yourself that we're in a free relationship . I believe I can end it whenever I want . " Marlene strode out of his office , her phone buzzing incessantly in her pocket . She checked the screen and saw a string of bank transfers from Kenyon . He said nothing , just giving her more money to fix the problem . A humorless smile touched her lips . For the first time , Marlene saw herself for what she had been to him all along . She was just a well - kept pet . No matter what had happened , Marlene remained responsible for her work . Two hours later , she had pulled herself together , delivering her presentation with flawless precision . " This proposal focuses on two key areas for implementation ... " Gasps cut through her words . Marlene whipped around to the screen and saw her meticulously prepared slides replaced by a series of explicit photos . A video played , filling the room with sultry moans of a sexy woman . Every drop of blood in her body seemed to freeze . She was staring at hérself . In five years , Kenyon had been her only lover . He'd always been wicked in bed , coaxing her into letting him snap intimate photos , claiming they were keepsakes for himself . " Holy crap , isn't that Marlene ? " someone whispered , barely containing their shock . 62.89 % 08.23 Chapter 2 " Who'd have thought ? She's so wild . " " She's got some nerve , playing the good girl while pulling that off . Gotta say , her body's killer . " " Explains her promotions , " another voice sneered . " Guess she's been putting in overtime between the sheets . She's clearly no stranger to this game . "