Chapter 2

Shaw Corporation was officially handed over to Henry three years ago, when his father passed away.

However, behind the scenes, most of the company’s burdensome work fell on my shoulders.

After his father's death, there was an intricate mess of company politics, with subtle shifts of influence beneath the surface.

Henry had to maintain the peace. He could not afford to tear things apart, so I became the one wielding the knife.

I was insulted both openly and behind my back.

The doctor said my condition had worsened because my body was running on empty.

Lately, I had been competing with Elan Corporation for a project. We had been at each other’s throats, with both sides taking losses.

I clenched my teeth and pushed through the pressure, only to finally earn a chance to negotiate a win-win deal.

“Miss May, Madam Briggs is here too. She’d like to withdraw some money from the company’s account...”

As soon as I walked into the office, my assistant hurried to brief me.

Henry's mother, Vivian Briggs, was sitting in the CEO’s chair. Her tone was sharp.

“Mr. Leon, that was impressive. You climbed your way up by throwing the rightful heir into prison.

“He is your older brother, after all.”

A man's voice chimed in nonchalantly, “I’m just trying to survive.

“I’m not as lucky as Madam Briggs, though. She gets to live a life of leisure, being taken care of by others.”

It was Leon Pierce, the boss of Elan Corporation, who had shown up himself.

Leon was the illegitimate son of the Pierce family. Vivian was Henry’s father’s kept woman.

They were both slinging insults right in each other's faces.

I rushed in before things could get any worse.

Vivian saw me and immediately threw a file at my face.

“How dare you keep a senior waiting?! You have no respect at all! You've gotten too full of yourself!”

The sharp corner of the folder cut my forehead, and blood dripped onto my brows, making my assistant scream in shock.

Leon rose to his feet with a calm expression on his face.

“It seems like today’s not the day. Miss May, I’ll take my leave.”

Feeling humiliated, I could only have my assistant show him out.

I grabbed a couple of tissues, pressed them against my wound, and tried to explain to Vivian, “The company's money belongs to the company. It can’t be used for personal purposes.

“It’s illegal.”

Vivian let out a cold sneer. Her tone dripped with mockery.

“Can’t I take a little pocket change from my own company to buy a handbag for my future daughter-in-law?

“Do I need your permission for that, Miss May?

“Lynn, you’re nothing more than the doll my son played with when he was a kid.

“Who do you think you are?”

Vivian had always despised me.

When Henry first wanted a playmate at home, Vivian had thought of her niece.

However, Henry insisted on picking me, the wild child.

When I was seventeen, Henry's father said, “Lynn’s grown up. She should start learning how to manage the company.

“She’ll be a good helper for Henry in the future.”

His gaze was as loving as a father’s, but his hand, which was casually placed on my waist, said otherwise.

Vivian, with little backing of her own, never dared to stand up to him and his son, but she sure could take her frustrations out on me.

“We fed you and clothed you, yet this is how you repay us? Ungrateful little brat!”

She rolled her eyes and scorned.

“Now that the lady of the Monroe family is back, she’ll be my future daughter-in-law.”

“Don’t tell me a cheap imitation like you is still foolishly dreaming of marrying my son!

“If you ask me, you should be satisfied after all these years of living the high life.

“Stay in your lane and stop coveting things people like you don’t deserve."

If I had ever coveted something Henry could give me, it would not be money or power.

It would be love.

On his eighteenth birthday, Henry got drunk.

I helped him back to his room, but he clung to me, refusing to let go.

“You think that little bit of alcohol can get me drunk?

“I just don’t want to waste my time with those people. I’d rather spend my birthday with the person who matters most to me.”

His warm breath and forceful kiss unlocked the secret I kept buried deep inside.

“Lynn, be mine.”

Henry chose me and gave me a home, a place of refuge.

He paid for my education and let me see the world beyond the orphanage.

He stepped in to protect me countless times when Vivian made things difficult for me.

I thought it was love until I realized he only loved me as a substitute for her.

Vivian told me Henry was going to get engaged to Lynette.

Once she finished speaking, a satisfied smile spread across her face as she saw my stunned expression.

“Of course, we didn’t bother to inform the housemaid or the company’s assistant.”