Chapter 2

Regina stood there for a while, looking taken aback. Ultimately, she didn't do anything other than repeat, "I'm sorry…"

Nikita looked at her calmly before sighing softly. Then, she said, "You don't have to piss around your territory like this. There's no competition between us."

Her attitude was calm and aloof, but Regina still felt like she'd been seen through. She paled and stammered, "N-No, it's not like that. You've really got the wrong idea…"

Nikita wasn't in the mood to listen anymore. Her fingers flew over the keyboard before she handed Regina some papers. "You can go back to your desk and check your email for the tasks I've assigned you. The necessary information is here. You can email me if you have any questions."

Regina took the papers and flipped through them. Then, she looked up, her expression distressed.

Nikita frowned. "Is anything wrong?"

"Ms. Shea, I…" Regina seemed to be frightened by her tone. She lowered her head, looking a little ashamed. "Can you teach me how to do this? I've never come into contact with these things in the past."

Nikita exhaled. The information she'd given Regina was simple and easy to understand; there were also past cases she could use as reference. Even a high school student could organize some documents if they were given something as a reference!

If she were dealing with anyone other than Regina, she would've called the HR department and fired her long ago. However, all she could do now was sigh.

She gave Regina another document and said, "You can verify this quarter's accounts, then."

This was the easiest task she had on hand. Any able-bodied person would be able to do it. She didn't think anything would go wrong with that, but when she walked past the secretariat department after her lunch break, she saw a familiar figure inside.

Nathaniel's back was to her as he bent over Regina's computer and typed away. Regina sat there and looked at him with admiration.

She even clapped her hands like a child and praised him. "You're a genius, Nathaniel! I couldn't understand it despite slaving away the whole morning, but you got it done so quickly!"

Then, she lowered her head, sounding glum as she continued, "It's my fault for being too stupid. I keep pissing Nikita off. I might be useless now, Nathaniel, but I'm really trying my best. I swear I won't let you guys down in the future!"

"You don't have to be scared of her. She started out where you are now, and she made mistakes in her early days, too," Nathaniel said gently. He wiped Regina's reddened eyes and continued, "Besides, I brought you here. Who would dare pick on you?"

Nikita clenched her fists tightly, making her nails bite into her palms. An indescribable bitterness spread through her. Nathaniel was talking bullshit.

Setting aside the fact that she'd graduated from a prestigious university with exemplary grades, she was outstanding just in terms of her capabilities alone.

Back in the day, Nathaniel had been young and proud. He'd set high standards for the people around him and had been strict with his subordinates. Before hiring her, he'd already fired over ten secretaries, even going so far as to make them cry from his reprimands.

Nikita had started from the lowest rung of the CEO's office and had slowly harnessed her skills. She'd undergone strict scrutiny and had been picked on before she'd finally become the chief secretary based on her abilities. Everyone admired her capabilities.

And so, the scene of Nathaniel and Regina together was a sight for sore eyes. Nikita didn't want to look at them any longer, so she returned to her office. Before she could even sit, Nathaniel entered, looking grim.

"Don't pick on her," he growled. "She's not you."

Nikita didn't say anything. She hadn't picked on Regina, but it was clear from Nathaniel's attitude that he didn't care about her explanation.

She thought about what Regina had said and looked up at him with a faint smile. "If you want her to take my place, Mr. Foster, you can just be frank. I can get out of the way, saving you the hassle."

She wasn't just talking about her role as his chief secretary. Her words made Nathaniel's gaze turn frosty. "Remember your place, Nikita. You have no right to say these things to me."

Nikita suppressed her bitterness. When she looked up again, she'd already composed herself and was back to looking calm. "Yes, sir."

This didn't improve Nathaniel's mood. He threw an invitation onto her desk—it was for his mother, Ruby Wendell's birthday celebration. He said, "Bring a gift over to her later. Pick something from the vault."

She pursed her lips. Ruby looked at her like she was a slut who'd seduced Nathaniel. The former would insult and mock Nikita even when Nathaniel was around, let alone when he wasn't.

If he was in a good mood, he would defend her for a bit. If he wasn't, he would act like nothing had happened.

Now, it was clear that he wanted to teach her a lesson by forcing her to attend the birthday celebration. Was it just because she'd told Regina off?

He didn't give her the chance to say no. He turned and left.

Once he was gone, Nikita went to the bank to pick out a black pearl accessory. It gleamed under the lights, looking elegant and classy. She remembered they'd won it at an auction two years ago for over two million dollars.

Well, she supposed it didn't matter. It was being given to Nathaniel's mother, after all. She placed the accessory in the exquisite jewelry box she'd prepared before driving to the Foster family estate.

The birthday celebration was in full swing, and Ruby was surrounded by several trophy wives. They were chatting and laughing about something when Nikita arrived. Ruby's expression immediately soured when she saw the latter.

"Peasants will always be peasants; they'll never become princesses. Even Cinderella came from a family that used to be nobility—she would've still had some royal upbringing in her life. Some people, on the other hand, can only dream," she said mockingly.

"Oh, it's all because Nathaniel is too outstanding!" someone chimed in. "That's why those young women out there can't take their eyes off him. He's still young and doesn't know what's good for him, but I'm sure those little vixens can't marry into the Foster family with you keeping an eye on things."

Nikita stood where she was without saying a word. It was as if she hadn't caught Ruby's underlying meaning. At the sight of that, Ruby felt like she'd been talking to a brick wall. It made her annoyance grow. Still, the others didn't say anything when they saw her look away.

Just then, Nikita stepped forward and presented her with the jewelry box. "Mr. Foster knows it's your birthday today, Madam Ruby. He prepared this for you and wishes you a happy birthday."

She opened the box, revealing the black pearl accessory inside. The bluish-gray hues seemed to glow even more brightly under the warm lights.

As the guests gasped at it, Ruby's expression softened. She signaled for the butler to take the accessory from Nikita before ignoring the latter.

Since the gift had been delivered, there was no need for Nikita to stay. She found an excuse to leave and was about to do so when a familiar voice rang out.

"We're here, Ruby!"