Chapter 2

Liesel had taken a week of sick leave. She'd only learned about the transfer when returning to work.

A colleague gossiped with her, sounding pointed as they said, "I bet you still don't know this, Ms. Sharp. We have a new secretary whose last name is also Sharp. It looks like there's something special about her."

Liesel didn't expect to hear that. Had Jacob actually given Natalie a job by his side?

Soon, Jacob summoned Liesel to the CEO's office. When she entered and stood before him, he looked at her indifferently. "Since you want to stay at the company, continuing to hold the position of my personal secretary isn't appropriate.

"The project department manager was transferred to a branch company, leaving a vacancy there. The timing is just right."

Liesel knew very well that Jacob had always been clear-headed. He would never allow her to cause Natalie any discomfort or disappointment. Rather than saying the transfer was his recognition of Liesel's abilities, it would be more accurate to say he merely didn't want Natalie to misunderstand.

"Okay," Liesel said.

He frowned slightly and said, "Natalie hasn't seen much of the world since she's just graduated. You should give her more guidance."

Liesel didn't say no. Setting everything else aside, she did need to hand over the work she had in hand—it was her responsibility as an employee.

She headed downstairs, running into Natalie on her way. The latter was a rookie and a greenhorn, so some of the veterans had tricked her into buying them over a dozen cups of coffee.

She hurried around with a light sheen of sweat on her forehead, looking obedient yet foolish. She faltered when she saw Liesel.

"Lie—" She seemed to think of something and stuck out her tongue. "Ms. Liesel."

Liesel frowned at her and said, "You're here as Mr. Ford's secretary, not to run errands. Set the coffee aside and come with me."

Natalie paled. Still, she did as told and followed Liesel. Everyone else in the department settled down.

Liesel had no intention of picking on Natalie. After all, banishing the latter to the countryside again wouldn't bring Heather back to life. Besides, before her death, Heather had already lost interest in being mad at the Sharp family.

"These are the most recently saved files. This is a list of things to pay attention to when working with Mr. Ford, and this is his latest schedule," Liesel said. "Avoid wearing too many accessories during work unless necessary for a gathering or business meeting.

"As a secretary, what's more important is your ability to think on your feet and react to whatever that's happened."

Natalie blinked as a light blush spread across her cheeks. "Is this one not allowed, too? Mr. Ford gave this to me, and I quite like it. Can't I wear it?"

Liesel's gaze flitted past the necklace she wore. It took her aback for a split second. She'd like that particular necklace for some time.

Once, Jacob had nonchalantly asked her, "Do all little ladies like accessories like that?"

It turned out he was getting it for Natalie.

"That's up to you." Liesel lowered her gaze to conceal the emotions in her eyes. Her tone remained calm as she continued, "It's fine as long as it doesn't affect your work."

Natalie smiled sweetly without saying anything else. Liesel showed her the ropes and gave her a run-through of the overall workflow. When she was done, Natalie said, "I get the feeling that you don't really like me, Liesel. Is it because of Mr. Ford?"

Liesel looked at her. She didn't avert her gaze. Instead, she just smiled and continued, "It's hard to tell who's wrong and right when it comes to matters of the heart—it was the same with my mother and our father. Whatever it is, I still want to be friends with you…"

"Natalie." Liesel stopped her there. "Morals and ethics still bind all matters of the heart. You wouldn't have been banished to the countryside if not for that. Do only what you must, and stop thinking everyone around you is a fool."

Jeffrey had had an affair, which led to Natalie's birth. Even if Heather was already dead, Liesel didn't think she could shamelessly forgive Natalie's mother on Heather's behalf, let alone allow Natalie to do the forgiving. What right did Natalie have to talk about right or wrong?

Liesel turned and left. She returned to her office and texted Jacob. "Do you have time to get the divorce settled today, Mr. Ford? Let's get that divorce certificate."

He didn't stand her up. They met at the courthouse at 2:00 pm.

Liesel signed whatever papers she needed to and looked at him. "It's all ready. Your turn to sign."

She hadn't had time to change her outfit before leaving the office, so she still wore a professional-looking women's suit. Her hair cascaded over her shoulders, which framed her aloof yet delicate face. She looked beautiful.

Jacob watched her for a while before looking away. "You seem to be in quite a rush."

"Hmm? No, I'm not," Liesel answered after a beat. "We've already signed the papers. There's no point in dragging this out."

He didn't say anything else and quickly signed. After they got their divorce certificates and left the courthouse, Jacob lit a cigarette while looking at her. "All better now?"

"Yep." She nodded.

She was about to leave when he got in his car and rolled down the window. "I'll drop you back."

Liesel hesitated. She was about to turn him down when a wave of nausea washed over her, making her retch.

When she returned to her senses, she saw Jacob watching her with narrowed eyes. "Are you pregnant?"

Her heart sank. It had been a month since they'd last had sex. He'd been rather rough that night and hadn't used any protection. But things couldn't be that coincidental, right? Could she have gotten pregnant from that one time?

She clenched her fists. "I can't be."

He was about to say something else when his phone rang. He answered it. When he hung up, his brows were furrowed. "I have work to do."

He stubbed out his cigarette and looked at her pointedly. "We can't have children, Liesel. I hope this is just a coincidence."

Liesel's heart clenched, but she didn't say anything. Throughout her and Jacob's three-year marriage, they'd always been careful with preventive measures.

That time a month ago was the only time neither of them had done anything. But how could she have conceived so easily?

She pushed the thought out of her mind and took a cab back to the company. When she arrived, she noticed the tension in the air.

A colleague leaned close to her and whispered in trepidation, "There's been a problem with the products from Hardin Group. That new secretary signed the papers during the handover without checking the stock properly."

Liesel frowned. She'd deliberately reminded Natalie to check everything before signing for them. It didn't help that Hardin Group was more cunning than others. This wasn't their first time trying to pull something like this.

Shortly after, her assistant came and said, "Mr. Ford wants to see you, Ms. Sharp."

Liesel pushed open the door to Jacob's office. Natalie stood inside. Her nose was red, and she was biting her lip. She looked pitiful yet adorable. Her words made Liesel frown, though.

"I'm sorry, Jake. I had no idea I needed to check everything when accepting the stock. Ms. Liesel did tell me to check the items but didn't caution me that Hardin Group would be so cunning. It's all my fault…"

Jacob looked at Liesel coldly. "Nat's just graduated, so she knows nothing about these things. You know very well what Hardin Group is capable of. Why didn't you give her a heads-up?"