04|Working as his secretary.

I froze in place as I stared at the shattered glass on the ground, my heartbeat so loud I could swear I heard its echoes in my ears.

This wasn’t the first time my father had done something like this. He was a man who commanded respect—and demanded it too—but what truly shocked me was that he had thrown the glass simply because I said I didn’t want to work at Alaric’s company.

My legs went weak, and before I could collapse, I grabbed onto the nearest seat, breathing through my nose as a wave of nausea crashed over me all at once.

I wanted to throw up. I wanted to cry.

“Look at me!” Father yelled again. I shut my eyes, my body instinctively stiffening as I took a sharp breath before forcing myself to turn toward him. I knew if I didn’t, he would only grow angrier.

The moment our eyes met, I froze, my grip tightening on the seat. His gaze burned with anger and hatred, his breathing slightly erratic as he glared at me—without a single trace of love.

There was never any love to begin with.

“This will be the first and last time you ever turn your back on me while I’m speaking. Do you understand?” he demanded.

When I didn’t answer immediately, his frown deepened, and I saw his hand reach for another glass on the table.

“I–I understand, Father,” I quickly responded, my voice shaky.

His lips curled into a sneer, but he stopped and folded his arms across his chest.

“Insolent child,” he scoffed. “Just because I allowed you to marry that fool, you think you can act however you please? That you can disrespect me?” He let out a cold chuckle. “You’re damn lucky Alaric requested you, or you would have married the man I originally chose for you.”

My heart dropped, but I didn’t lift my head. The man he had chosen for me was over sixty and seeking a third wife.

“You’re going to work at Voss Corporation starting tomorrow, and I won’t repeat myself. Otherwise, prepare for marriage instead.” His voice was cold and final before he scoffed, stood up, and walked to his room.

“Father! Wait—” Isolde tried to call after him, but he didn’t listen. He merely walked away without sparing anyone a glance.

“Mother, did you hear him?! That position should have been mine! I should have been the one—he promised me! Is it because I’m not his real daughter? Is that it?!”

“Don’t say that! You are his real daughter! I will talk to him, don’t worry. I’ll make sure he sends you instead, and you—” She turned to me but froze as I shifted my glare toward her, my gaze cold.

“Do not say anything. Just don’t,” I hissed under my breath, my eyes burning with restrained fury. I was already angry—one second away from losing it completely. And to be honest, any word from her would push me over the edge.

Without sparing anyone another glance, I dragged my weak legs toward my room, hearing Kieran mutter under his breath behind me.

“Wow, so much drama early in the morning. Haha, I love this family”

As soon as I got to my room, I slammed the door shut and threw myself onto the bed, screaming into my pillow in an attempt to release all my frustration at once—but it didn’t help. I felt restless, my heart pounding hard against my chest at the mere thought of working under that man.

Aside from the fact that I had slept with him, there was another reason I had hated him from the moment I laid eyes on him three years ago. He had always found a way to get under my skin for no apparent reason.

I wasn’t sure if it was his looks, that infuriating smirk, or perhaps the way my body always seemed to betray me whenever he was near—when different, unholy thoughts flooded my mind all at once. But either way, I knew working in that company with him as my boss was something I wasn’t ready for.

No—scratch that. It would be a complete disaster.

“I’m doomed,” I muttered under my breath, running my hands through my hair.

__

I had woken up early, showered, and dressed in a neat white suit that fit me perfectly—both professional and stylish. I wasn’t sure what had come over me, but I had actually applied a bit of makeup and curled my red hair. Now, I stood there, staring at my reflection in the mirror for the past two minutes.

“What on earth are you doing, Isla?” I muttered to myself, shaking my head as I pushed my glasses higher— a nervous habit of mine. Once I composed myself, I grabbed my bag and headed downstairs, making my way to the dining room where Father and my stepfamily were already seated, having breakfast.

Father sat with his usual stoic expression, while my stepmother sat beside him, feeding him sweetly. Isolde sat across from them, her face contorted with anger as she glared at her food. Kieran, on the other hand, glanced at his phone and laughed as if he didn’t notice the tension at the table— though perhaps he did, and simply didn’t care.

"Good morning, I will be leaving now." I frowned and walked past them, but my stepmother quickly stopped me.

"Darling, where are you going? Won't you stay for breakfast?" she said, her smile not quite reaching her eyes.

I shook my head. "I'm not hungry."

With that, I tried to leave, but my father's cold voice cut through the air, stopping me in my tracks.

"Make sure you behave and don't do anything that will embarrass me," he said, and a soft mocking smile spread across my face.

"Of course, Father. I’ll be leaving now." I didn't stop to hear his response as I walked outside to where my car was parked. I got in and drove to the Voss Corporation, stopping at the entrance of one of the largest buildings I had ever seen.

Wealth. That was what it screamed as I got out and looked at the tall building, watching men and women in suits walk in and out.

I took a deep breath and pushed my glasses up with shaky hands. I wasn't nervous about working in a company—I'd already worked in my father's company before this—but what made me anxious was him. I was already dreading the awkward encounter, especially after bolting out of the room that day.

I just hoped he wouldn't make a big deal out of it. It was only a one-night stand, something that happened when I was drunk, so it didn't matter.

“Good morning, my name is Isla Ashford. I am here to see Mr. Voss,” I said to the receptionist with a smile. She looked up from the computer in front of her, and recognition flashed in her eyes as soon as she saw me.

“Miss Ashford, welcome. Mr. Voss has been expecting you. Let me lead you to his office,” she said as she stood up and walked over.

“Thank you,” I smiled as she guided me toward Alaric's office.

“No, don't thank me. This is my job. I was asked to bring you the moment you arrive.”

I raised a brow at this. Immediately I arrived? Had he been waiting for me?

“Ah, I see. Do you know what I’ll be doing here?” I asked, realizing I hadn’t been told anything about the nature of my work. All Father had said was that I would be working here. I just hoped it wouldn’t require too much interaction with Alaric. Now, that would be bad.

We stopped in front of the large black door, and she turned to me with a smile. “I don’t know yet, but from what I’ve heard, you’ll be working as Mr. Voss’s secretary.”

My heart dropped, and my eyes widened.

Before I could say anything, she knocked on the door, and a cold voice answered from behind it.

“Come in.”

She opened the door and stepped inside, motioning for me to follow. Still processing the shock of what she’d said, I took a deep breath and walked into the office. As I entered, I stopped, coming face-to-face with the man sitting behind the desk. His cold eyes locked onto mine, and then the corner of his lips curled into a wicked smirk.

“Little rose” He had said those words, it was barely audible but I heard it and it was enough to make my body react in a strange way.