On the lively side of the Central.
Financial establishment.
"What did you just say?" The middle-aged man clutched his neck, feeling the heat of anger build within him. His trembling finger lifted and pointed towards the woman standing before him. "You! How dare you speak to me like that!"
The woman's face crumpled in disgust. She feels a strong urge to vomit at the sight of the man in front of her. "I told you, you are bald and a pervert! You shamelessly mask your pretentiousness and cynicism while trying to appear respectable and noble. I can recognize an angel when I encounter one, not a repulsive, bald, elderly man like you, pretending to be virtuous! Disgusting pervert!"
Her hands rest confidently on her hips. The fitted white long-sleeve shirt and pencil skirt accentuate her figure flawlessly. She possesses the kind of beauty that attracts men with her alluring red lips, piercing eyes, and perfectly shaped brows. While she embodies the charm of an elegant and captivating woman, her personality presents a contrasting side. In moments of silence, she resembles the ideal charming secretary, but once she begins to speak, that perfection shatters.
Her coworkers couldn't resist glancing up while feigning concentration on their screens. Their eyes and ears perked up, eager for the latest gossip. Who wouldn't enjoy some fresh gossip? In an office dominated by paperwork, gossip are the sole remedy for monotonous routines and heavy workloads.
"Wow! Devi really knows how to get under the manager's skin."
"With Devi around, there's never a dull moment."
"But seriously, this incident is more serious than the last. Do you think she might actually get fired?"
"Maybe."
All eyes remained fixed on the epicenter of the spectacle, while the two protagonists paid no mind to their surroundings. They launched into a heated exchange, trading verbal volleys without retreating. Among them, Devi wielded the most formidable verbal prowess. Her jabs were fierce, cruel, and cutting.
"Forget your so-called principles! You think I'm oblivious to what's happening behind the scenes? You pretend to hold a meeting, but I clearly have the intelligence to see through your filthy office schemes!"
"What did you just say?!"
"Hah! You claim to be a devoted family man, a faithful husband? Do you really think I'm unaware of your infidelity? Should I reveal the photos?"
She pulled out her phone, feigning a search through her gallery. The manager smirked, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly, showing no sign of being fazed by her unfounded allegations. He simply crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow in response. "Hah! Do you think anyone will take your word for it? Do you even think I believe you?!"
Devi placed one hand on her hip while the other gripped her phone. She shook her head, feeling upset. She directed her gaze toward the bald manager and scrutinized him from head to toe. "Last week's business inspection was quite enjoyable, wasn't it?"
The manager froze, remaining motionless, convinced that Devi was merely making a bluff.
"Oh, what a lovely hot spring! It felt incredible to receive a massage at that well-known spa, didn't it? And oh! She's gorgeous, youthful, and attractive!..."
The more Devi spoke, the more the manager felt as if a frigid waterfall was pouring over him. With each point she raised, his desire to silence her grew stronger. He had been reckless... so very reckless!
Noticing the manager's pale expression, frozen in silence, the crowd began to murmur even more intensely. The man, known for his loyalty to his family, was caught playing around outside his marriage. The news of his infidelity spread rapidly.
The manager, abruptly brought back to reality, quickly scanned his surroundings. The inquisitive gazes rapidly refocused on their tasks, but the shocking news spread through their group chat like wildfire. Some who looked up to the manager felt a sense of revulsion.
"Enough!"
Devi raised her hand, aiming to strike the man who had cowardly retreated. "You be quiet! Unfaithful jerk!"
The manager's face flushed with humiliation and rage. He felt a strong urge to hit the woman before him, but he knew he couldn't. Such an act would be a serious offense. All he could do was resort to one action. "You are fired! Clear your table and get out---"
"I'll quit even if you don't let me! Who wants to work with you? Disgusting liar!" She cleared off her desk and flipped the manager off while backing toward the door. "Goodbye, jerk! I hope your wife finds out what kind of scoundrel she married! Screw you!"
Devi exited the building, leaving the manager boiling with rage. She laughed joyfully as she got into her car. She never regretted quitting; her only regret was spending two months next to that jerk of a manager. Now that she was free from the weight, she let out a breath of relief and grinned.
"Haha! I'm finally free! At last!"
Home.
"What! You got fired? You've only been there for two months and are jobless again!" The woman massaged her temple while looking at Devi's carefree look.
Devi snorted and ate the chip in her hand. "I don't want to stay at that pervert cheater. You know me. I don't want a pretentious boss who would order me around like they are god and saints when they're not".
Devi's inability to keep a job is exactly due to this. When it comes to speaking out against wrongdoing, she communicates like she's under the influence of a truth serum, aiming her words like bullets even at her superiors. Her reckless tongue is the main reason for her unfortunate circumstances.
"Congrats! I'm thrilled for you!"
Devi surveyed her friend from head to toe. "Cassidy, are you genuinely pleased that I got dismissed? This is a change; you used to complain endlessly when I lost my previous jobs."
Cassidy flashed a charming smile at Devi. To Devi, that smile signified some sort of scheme was brewing. She swallowed the pieces of chips in her mouth and fixed her gaze on her friend, who seemed to be under the influence of a mischievous spirit. "Cassidy, are you alright? I'm not fond of that smile."
Cassidy quickly lost her smile and stood motionless. Her lips turned upward from the corners as she approached Devi, who was reclining. "C-Cass. What's the matter? Are you alright? Is it really you, Cassidy? Should I summon a priest and---ah!" She winced, rubbing her sore shoulder from Cassidy's slap.
Cassidy stepped back, a smile returning to her face. "How would you feel about taking a job as a secretary? You have the knowledge and expertise for it. You're the only person I could think of for this." Her pleasant and soothing voice sent a chill down Devi's spine.
"W-what?"
"Don't worry. I'll ensure that you're here for a while."
The following day.
Cassidy guided Devi through the villa. Devi scanned their surroundings as they moved. The butler took them to the pool area, where Jared was completing his final lap.
Devi swallowed hard upon seeing the man emerge from the pool.
"Cassidy," Jared sauntered over to them in his white bathrobe. His gaze shifted to Devi, who was standing next to Cassidy.
"This is Devi, my friend. She is the only person I could think of who would be ideal for the role. She possesses the knowledge and experience... but her language can be a bit... colorful." Devi's cheerful expression disappeared as she turned to Cassidy, who was grinning. Is she attempting to sabotage my chances before I even begin? What a great friend.
Jared chuckled at the words from Cassidy. "So, she's a fighter. Are you certain she's a secretary and not a bodyguard?"
Devi stood there, serious, observing the exchange conversation between the two. Cassidy was introducing her to her new boss. She claimed Devi was perfect—how so?
Shortly after their conversation, both turned their attention to Devi.
"You'll be starting today," Jared said, taking a black card and handing it to Devi. "Let's see how well you can perform your duties."
Devi looked down at the card in her hands, her eyes wide with surprise. A black card. She held the black card the instant she was employed.
But...
"Uhh. I've been hired? What exactly is my first assignment?" She kept her focus on the cards, not paying attention to her new employer.
"Head to the Greenleaf Central Bank and withdraw 100 million. They will guide you."
Devi and Cassidy nearly lost their footing.
One hundred million!
Devi swallowed hard and briefly met Cassidy's astonished gaze. She straightened herself and placed her hands on her stomach in a professional manner. "Yes, sir," she replied with professionalism, but inside she felt unsettled. Her initial task was to withdraw an immense sum of money, something she had never encountered during her years as a secretary.
"Excellent. I've already spoken with the bank, and they will know the procedure. Once you have the money, you will accompany me somewhere."
She could only respond in a professional tone. After getting accustomed to her new boss, she and Cassidy left to head to the bank. The entire drive was steeped in silence until they arrived at the bank. Neither of them exited the car yet. Devi turned to Cassidy, who was behind the wheel. "So, about this new boss—"
"Do your job. Your new employer is no ordinary person. Don't even entertain the thought of running off with the card; your boss will track you down no matter where you escape to in the world."
Devi could only swallow nervously and exit the vehicle. They entered the bank, and just as Jared had mentioned, the staff was diligently stacking money into a briefcase on the table.
It was blinding.
The pristine stacks of cash, crisp and freshly sourced from the vault, were dazzling to behold. Devi felt as though she might faint just watching the staff arrange the money so meticulously.
This felt like paradise. Observing that colossal amount of cash before her seemed like a slice of heaven on earth.
'My boss is incredible—undeniably wealthy!'