Chapter 11 After His Heart or His Wallet?
“You’re suggesting Miss Hale take a secretary job? Are you out of your mind?” someone immediately objected.
“Our Miss Hale is the full package–brains, beauty, and a stellar track record. Every CEO out there is eyeing her. If she
ever hit the job market, headhunters would be all over her like sharks to blood.”
Candice merely smiled in response.
Truth was, they underestimated how sharp those headhunters‘ instincts were. One had already called her ten days ago,
probing discreetly about her career plans–even though there hadn’t been the slightest whisper about her leaving
Aureate Group at the time.
The conversation among the group continued.
“Don’t be so narrow–minded. What’s wrong with being a secretary? We’re talking about the chief secretary to the heir
of Regalis Group here. That role comes with access to the upper crust of Vanclyn’s elite. Play your cards right, and the
sky’s the limit.”
“I know of a former secretary from an overseas company who rose to vice president in just a few years. She even found
love and married the CEO.”
“Say no more–now I want to apply.”
“Has anyone actually seen this Regalis heir? Is he good–looking?”
“Nope. Of the Clemens family’s four children, only the second daughter’s ever been seen in public. The rest are quite the
mystery.‘
As they chatted, the topic went further and further off course.
Candice listened, half amused, half exasperated.
Watching them gush about romance with sparkling eyes, she couldn’t help but feel like a monk who’d seen through the world’s illusions.
Love? She was done with it.
But career–wise… she was intrigued.
She’d thought about starting her own business. The problem was, her entire network revolved around Kyle. Once she cut
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ties with him, who would still offer her the same respect?
She needed to re–polish her résumé, rebuild her clout.
+25 BONUS
That night, she reached out to Bianca, a socialite well–versed in the inner circles of the elite, to ask about Regalis Group
and its mysterious heir.
A lazy laugh sounded from the other end of the line. “Asking about other men now? Aren’t you worried your golden boy will get jealous?”
“He can be jealous all he wants–it’s none of my business.”
“My dear… don’t tell me you two actually broke up,” Bianca asked, intrigued.
“Not officially.”
That was all Candice said, but Bianca immediately got it. She let out a heavy sigh. “So the rumors I heard were true.
Eight years! Kyle’s a real piece of work.”
Bianca was blunt and genuine. Candice played up the pity. “Which is why I need to start planning for myself. I heard
Regalis’s heir is looking for a secretary. I want to give it a shot.”
“Be honest with me–are you going for the man or the money?”
“I only trust the God of Wealth from now on.”
“lol…” Bianca laughed, husky and unrestrained. “Leave it to me. I’ll make sure you meet this God of Wealth.”
“Thanks.”
“Wait for my update.”
After hanging up, Candice sat back down at her desk.
There was barely any info online about the man–just a name: Charlie Clemens.
She murmured it under her breath, wondering if she could find out more about his preferences and quirks in advance.
Just as she was thinking, the study door opened.
Kyle walked in.
Candice snapped her laptop shut.
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+25 BONUS
They had separate studies now. In the past, when love burned hot, they’d always stuck together. But those days were long gone. These days, even after work, they barely spoke.
“What is it?” she asked, glancing up.
“Can’t I come in without a reason?”
“…Sure, of course you can.” Once I’m gone, you can walk in naked for all I care,
Kyle’s gaze flicked toward her laptop, eyes tinged with suspicion. She’d closed it the second he entered–clearly guarding something.
He sat in a recliner in her study. “There’s something I want to run by you first.”
Candice: “Go ahead.”
Kyle lowered his gaze, hesitating for a few seconds. “Mia wants to join your project department.”
Candice had already guessed it wouldn’t be anything good, given how polite he was being–but this still hit like a punch
to the gut.
Her expression turned cold instantly. “There are so many departments in the company. She has to come wreck the
project team?”
Kyle frowned. “Wreck? Don’t say that. She wants to prove herself–that’s commendable.”
“…She wants to prove herself, so you’re letting her play CEO with one of the company’s most critical departments? 1 don’t care what you do, but not the project team. That’s my team. Those are my people.”
“Let’s be reasonable here, Candice. You’ve already resigned. You’re no longer part of Aureate Group. That team isn’t
yours anymore.”
The words stuck in her throat like a bone.
He was right. Aureate Group was his. What right did she have to object? What right did she have to challenge him?
If he wanted to take the fruit she’d painstakingly cultivated and gift it to his new darling, what could she possibly do?
Kyle softened his tone. “Don’t think the worst of her. I promise she’s not there to cause trouble. I’ll keep an eye on her.”
“Do whatever you want.”
Candice’s voice was faint, almost inaudible.
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She was exhausted–done fighting.
+25 BONUS
Kyle’s eyes darkened. “I’m telling you in advance because I didn’t want you to be upset like this. I know you don’t like Mia, but think about the position I’m in. Our families are working together. Am I supposed to sour things with the Jones
family just because of your personal feelings?”
Candice was stunned speechless by his twisted logic.
What did she do wrong?
She’d already lost her man and her career. And now she was supposed to smile and welcome the new woman with open
arms?
Ha…
Grief had a strange way of turning into laughter. A bitter metallic taste filled her mouth.
Three days later, Candice returned to Aureate Group to complete her exit paperwork.
Mia Jones, dressed in Chanel from head to toe, strutted into Candice’s old office like a victor.
She tossed out all the furniture and decor inside–including a wall full of trophies Candice had earned over the years,
now discarded like garbage.
The entire project team was on the verge of a breakdown.
People had been guessing who’d take over after Candice. Even if it wasn’t someone stronger, at least find someone
competent.
But Mia Jones?
Rumor from the secretarial department had it that she couldn’t even work a printer. She spent her days snacking and gaming. After downloading malware onto her own laptop, she stormed into the secretaries‘ office and demanded a new
computer–accidentally deleting important files on someone else’s machine.
And the worst part?
The person who got fired was the victim.
No one dared imagine how she’d wreak havoc in the project team.
Inside the office, Candice kept a blank face while doing her handover.
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But as she picked up a few important files, Mia launched into a smug little speech.
+25 BONUS
“Candice, how does it feel?” Mia lounged in Candice’s old chair, looking down her nose. “Lost your man, lost your job.
Years of hard work, just like that—and all I had to do was lift a finger. You know why? Because we’re not the same. I
come from privilege, you come from dirt. I have people behind me. You have no one. In our circle, pretty little things like
you? I’ve seen tons of them. Toys for men to vent their urges. And you–thinking you could marry into the Jackson
family? What a joke.”
