The next morning in the office, Oska resumed his role as Stevanie's personal assistant. He and his boss were seated at her desk when there was a knock on the door.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
"I'll get it," Oska said, rising from his chair. He opened the door to find a young woman standing there, impeccably dressed and wearing charming round glasses.
"Good morning, Mr. Oska."
"Jennie, it's great to see you."
"Who's this?" Stevanie called out from behind him.
"Let me introduce you to Jennie Lei Shan. I brought her in to replace me as your personal assistant."
"I didn't ask for a new assistant."
"Wouldn't it be better if someone more professional took on such an important role?"
Stevanie scrutinized Jennie for a moment before responding, "I'm sorry, Miss, but please give us a moment to discuss this." She shut the door and dragged Oska into her office. "What are you thinking? Why did you suddenly find me a new assistant?"
"I've told you before that I'm not cut out for this role. I'm careless and inattentive. Don't you remember three months ago when I accidentally mixed your schedule with an investor's? Who knows what kind of trouble I might cause if I keep being your assistant?"
"I don't care. Do you think I hired you just for the heck of it? I didn't need a perfect worker; I needed someone like you who I could vent my frustrations on. If my employees actually did their jobs right, I wouldn't have anyone to blame or berate. I need someone to take my anger out on, and you're just the convenient punching bag I was looking for!"
"This makes no sense at all. Why don't you just hire a clown to be your toy?"
"Clowns wouldn't cry when I whip them. Unlike you, who gives the same funny expression as on our first night."
Oska furrowed his brow, taken aback by the depths of his wife's madness. She had truly reached a whole new level of insanity. Yet, strangely enough, this wasn't necessarily a bad thing. He could use this situation to gradually erode his own sanity, bit by bit.
"So, you still want me to be your assistant?" he asked.
Stevanie nodded with the innocent look of a child, her big eyes wide and pleading. Oska sighed.
"Alright, if that's what you want. But I have one condition."
"What's that?"
"If Jennie can't be your assistant, let her be mine instead."
"What? Are you out of your mind? Assistants don't have assistants."
"Don't worry, Jennie's only there to make sure I don't make mistakes that could seriously hurt you. You'll still have your chance to berate me if I screw up."
"I'm not paying a single cent for her."
"Don't worry about the cost. I'll cover her salary. Just act like she's not even here."
"Hmm…"
In the end, Jennie became Oska's assistant, while Oska remained the personal assistant to his psyco wife. Stevanie was incredibly reluctant to accept the girl into her office, let alone allow her to be her husband's personal assistant.
As the new assistant, Jennie meticulously organized every detail of Stevanie's schedule. From morning to night, every activity was neatly arranged in the blink of an eye. Jennie was clearly experienced and knew exactly what needed to be done.
"Why are you staring at me like that?" Oska asked, suddenly aware that his wife had been watching him and his assistant intently.
"I'm suspicious of you. What's really changed over these three months? You seem like a completely different person from when we first met."
"Do you want me to share my past with you? Have you finally decided to see me as more than just a slave?"
Stevanie rolled her eyes, clearly unwilling to continue the conversation. Oska chuckled, finding her reaction all too easy to provoke.
"Don't scowl like that. Just think of it as me meeting a wonderful man who's changed my life."
"Is this man rich?"
"Extraordinarily rich. His wealth is practically limitless."
Stevanie's eyes lit up. "Really? Can I meet him?"
"Why?"
"Who knows, maybe he could change my life too. Make me richer than I am now."
"Are you still not content with what you have?"
"What can I say? I love money. The more, the better. There's no such thing as enough when it comes to money."
Oska looked at his wife with a hint of disgust. "Sorry to disappoint you, but the man we're talking about is already dead. He left all his wealth to me. That's where all my money comes from."
Jennie cast a suspicious glance at Oska. She seemed both surprised and skeptical by what he had just said. Oska subtly shook his head at her, signaling her to stay quiet.
"So, in other words, you have a lot of money now?"
"I wouldn't say 'a lot,' just enough to meet my needs."
Stevanie propped her chin on her hand, eyeing Oska with a playful glint. Her eyes were intriguingly captivating. "Well, it seems I misjudged you. You're looking a lot more impressive than when we first met. I'd say you're starting to measure up to me."
"Are you complimenting me?"
"Maybe. I'm starting to think we might actually become a real husband and wife after all."
Hearing those trivial words, Oska was reminded of the agreement he had signed three months ago. Being Stevanie's husband felt no different from being her slave. Her recent words did nothing to please him; instead, they reopened old wounds from the abuse Stevanie had inflicted upon him. His hands clenched in silent fury.
"Sir, are you okay?" Jennie asked, concern evident in her voice.
"I'm fine. Please continue with your work and don't worry about me."
"No, Oska, I need you to leave the room for a moment. I need to have a private chat with your new assistant."
"What are you planning to do with her?"
"Nothing. Just a woman-to-woman discussion. Men are not allowed to overhear. Now, please leave."
A hint of worry tugged at Oska's heart as he left Jennie alone with his psyco wife. He feared that Stevanie might do something to the innocent girl.
Oska waited anxiously outside the door, his mind filled with questions and dread. He occasionally tried to eavesdrop, but the sounds from inside were faint. He could occasionally hear muffled sobs, though they were hard to make out.
"What is she doing to Jennie?"
Ten minutes later, the door swung open. Jennie burst out, tears streaming down her face as she ran toward Oska.
"I'm sorry, sir, but I don't think I can be your assistant. I'm leaving now. Goodbye."
The girl fled down the stairs, her tears marking the floor as she went.