Chapter Nine

Emilia

The news spread like wildfire.

By the time I arrived at the office the next morning, everyone was already whispering about Nora’s sudden termination. It was almost laughable how quickly people turned on each other when the tide shifted. Just yesterday, Nora had walked these halls with her head held high, basking in her self-importance. But now? She was gone.

And no one—not even her so-called friends—seemed particularly upset about it.

As I made my way toward my office, I passed a group of employees huddled near the breakroom, their voices hushed but their excitement barely contained. They weren’t exactly subtle.

“Did you hear? They kicked her out first thing in the morning.”

“I heard she didn’t even get a chance to pack her things—security escorted her out.”

“Well, that’s what happens when you mess with the wrong people.”

A small smirk tugged at my lips. I had expected the whispers, but the sheer enthusiasm behind them was amusing. It wasn’t just about her affair with Mr. Gallagher—though that had certainly been a contributing factor. No, the real reason for her abrupt firing was simple: she had crossed a line she shouldn’t have.

And Richard didn’t tolerate people like her in his company.

That was what set Kane Group apart from other corporations. Richard wasn’t just another CEO turning a blind eye to corruption. If someone tried to play dirty, they were dealt with swiftly. No warnings. No second chances.

As I reached my desk, I set my bag down and exhaled, preparing for what I knew would be a long day. But before I could even settle in, I heard a familiar voice echoing down the hall.

Jayden.

Of course.

I turned just in time to see him strolling past, his usual smug arrogance practically oozing from him. His expensive suit was pressed to perfection, his tie impeccably knotted, and his cologne so strong it was impossible to ignore.

And judging by the way he was grinning, I could already tell what had him in such a good mood.

The upcoming meeting.

He thought today was his day.

I knew exactly what was running through his mind. Today, Richard was supposed to announce his new right-hand man, and Jayden had convinced himself that the position was his.

He wasn’t exactly subtle about it, either.

“Big day today,” he said, loud enough for the nearby employees to hear. “Can’t say I’m surprised, though. It was only a matter of time before my hard work paid off.”

I scoffed internally. Hard work? He wouldn’t know hard work if it slapped him in the face.

But still, the employees around him played along, nodding and offering polite smiles. Not because they liked him—no one did—but because they were smart enough to stay on his good side. If he really did get the promotion, they didn’t want to risk being on the wrong end of his arrogance.

Jayden, however, was too blinded by his own ego to realize that they were just humoring him.

I leaned back in my chair, arms crossed as he turned in my direction.

“And of course,” he added, his gaze locking onto mine, “I have to thank the people who helped me get here. Not everyone gets the chance to work under someone as skilled as I am.”

Oh, the irony.

I nearly laughed out loud. Helped him get here?

I was the one who had helped him.

Back when we were together, I had spent countless nights reviewing his reports, fixing his mistakes, and ensuring he looked competent in front of his superiors. Every single promotion he had received over the past year? It was because I had been doing the actual work while he took the credit.

And yet, here he was, standing before me, acting like he had earned everything on his own.

It was pathetic.

"You’re awfully confident, Jayden," I mused, tilting my head. "Almost like you already know the outcome."

He smirked, clearly believing he had this in the bag. “Let’s just say I’ve been working toward this for a long time. I’ve put in the effort, proven myself, and now it’s finally paying off.”

I arched a brow. “Effort? You mean my effort?”

His smirk faltered for just a second—a flicker of something in his eyes—but he recovered quickly.

“Jealous?” he asked smoothly.

Jealous?

I laughed softly, shaking my head. “Of what, exactly?”

“Of me, moving up while you… stay right where you are.”

Stay right where I am?

Oh, if only he knew.

I kept my expression neutral, simply offering a knowing smile. Let him think whatever he wanted. Let him bask in his delusion a little while longer.

Because when the truth finally came out, when he realized exactly who Richard had chosen…

The fall from his imaginary pedestal was going to be spectacular.

The morning dragged on, with employees glancing toward the executive offices every so often, their anticipation growing by the minute. The buzz surrounding the announcement was impossible to ignore.

I could hear people speculating in hushed voices near the conference rooms.

“I mean, it has to be Jayden, right? He’s been climbing the ranks for a while now.”

“Yeah, but… don’t you think it’s a little weird? His work was never that great before. How did he suddenly become so capable?”

“Who else could it be? Mr. Kane clearly values him.”

I sipped my coffee, hiding my amusement. The guessing games were entertaining, but no one had any idea what was coming.

Jayden, on the other hand, was eating up the attention. He spent the rest of the morning walking around like he already owned the place, shaking hands and throwing out fake humble remarks about how “honored” he was to be considered.

When lunchtime rolled around, I caught him leaning against a doorway, chatting with a couple of female employees who were clearly only entertaining his presence out of obligation.

“So, what do you think?” he asked, flashing his signature cocky grin. “Reckon I should start practicing my victory speech?”

One of the women laughed awkwardly. “Oh, um… I guess we’ll see soon enough.”

The other just nodded, offering a tight-lipped smile before making an excuse to leave.

But Jayden didn’t care. He had already convinced himself he had won.

And that was what made this so much sweeter.

I checked my watch. Only an hour to go.

When the meeting finally started, the conference room was packed. Employees who didn’t even need to be there lingered nearby, hoping to catch a glimpse of the announcement.

Jayden sat near the head of the table, looking far too relaxed. As if his promotion was already set in stone.

Richard hadn’t arrived yet, but I could see his assistants preparing documents at the front. The tension in the room was palpable, everyone waiting for the moment that would change everything.

Jayden leaned back in his chair, shooting me a smug glance.

“Still time to change sides, Emilia,” he murmured. “When I’m in charge, I might be generous enough to let you stay in my good graces.”

I didn’t even dignify that with a response. Instead, I simply smiled.

Let him enjoy it while he can.

Because in just a few minutes, his entire world was going to come crashing down.

Richard finally entered the room, his presence commanding instant silence.

The conference room, which had been filled with murmurs and hushed speculations just moments ago, grew still. Every employee straightened in their seats, the weight of his authority settling over them like an unspoken rule. Even I found myself sitting up a little straighter, my fingers unconsciously brushing over my stomach—a silent reassurance to the secret growing inside me.

I had been waiting for this moment.

We all had.

Across the table, Jayden sat with an all-too-familiar smirk, practically vibrating with self-satisfaction. He already thought the position was his. I could see it in the way he sat, the way he rolled his shoulders as if preparing to stand up at any second to accept the promotion.

He was already picturing the applause, the recognition, the power that would come with the title.

And then—

Richard spoke.

"Good afternoon. I won’t waste time with unnecessary pleasantries. As you all know, today marks an important shift in Kane Group’s leadership. After careful consideration, I’ve chosen someone who embodies the vision and strength required for this role.”

His voice was even, measured. Every word carried weight, demanding attention without effort.

Beside me, Jayden exhaled slightly, as if relaxing into his fate. His smirk deepened. He was sure now. This was it.

"The new right-hand for Kane Group has already been chosen," Richard continued. "Their work has been invaluable to this company, and I have full confidence in their abilities."

I watched as Jayden straightened in his seat, his fingers adjusting his cufflinks with unnecessary precision. He was ready. Ready to hear his name. Ready to step into the spotlight.

But Richard didn’t look at him.

"This person has been working tirelessly behind the scenes, ensuring the success of this company without seeking recognition."

A ripple of murmurs spread through the room. Confusion. Curiosity. Excitement.

My hand rested on my stomach once more, this time out of anticipation rather than instinct. Jayden’s smirk wavered for the first time, just slightly, but enough for me to notice.

Still, he forced a chuckle, trying to mask his confusion. “Well, I appreciate the kind words, Mr. Kane—”

Richard finally turned his gaze on him, but his face was unreadable. Unmoved.

"I wasn’t talking about you."

The words hit like a slap.

Jayden’s smile froze.

The room went dead silent.

"What?" he blurted out before he could stop himself.

Richard didn’t answer. He didn’t need to. The energy in the room had already shifted. I could feel it—the amusement, the stolen glances, the barely concealed smirks.

And that was when Jayden realized it.

Everyone knew.

Everyone except him.

His stomach twisted, his confidence cracking like glass under pressure. This was supposed to be his moment.

And yet, someone else had already taken his place.