Stella returned to her desk, heart still pounding from the conversation with Liam. She didn't expect the random friendship she struck up would lead her closer to her goal. She shook her head, clearing her messy thoughts. They couldn't be friends anymore. They could only be boss and subordinate.
Nothing more.
The whispers in the office hadn't died down, but no one dared to approach her. Her standing up to Vivian and Clara had changed the way the other people in the office viewed her.
Soon, a formal notice was sent to the company's network, informing everyone of Stella's promotion to Main Secretary. The whispers increased in intensity.
"How is that possible?"
"My dad promised it would be me."
"Is she related to some higher-up?"
"I don't think so, she has always been very lowkey."
"She could have recently gotten a sugar daddy."
"Stella," Mia walked up to her, looking meticulous as usual, and handed her a cardboard box. "Come with me. Your new workspace is in the CEO's office."
Stella hurriedly packed up her things, arranging her few personal belongings in the box.
As she walked past Vivian, she threw a smirk at the woman nursing her bruised elbow. All Vivian could do was glare.
The rest of the office watched in silence as Stella tailed behind Mia. Head held high, each step calm and measured. She didn't say anything to defend herself, she didn't need to. They were not the ones she needed to pay attention to.
When she was settled into her new workspace, she received a formal email— her appointment letter. Attached was an NDA with a confidentiality clause that made her pause. It wasn't unexpected, but she would have to come up with a plan that would enable her to escape unscathed. She couldn't afford to go down with them.
She had to go back to Germany after this… to live her happy ever after with her aunty, Mark, and the twins.
Her fingers lingered on the keyboard. If she took the wrong step, if her identity got exposed, this clause could bury her. If she didn't destroy Kings, they might come after her family. None of them were safe.
She signed it.
For her parents. For her and Aunty Andrea. For the other people like them.
Later that day, John brought over her new ID card and briefed her on her daily tasks and responsibilities before bidding her goodbye.
"Where are you going?" Stella asked, confused.
"Oh, I don't work here."
"But you're his assistant."
John smiled, "Aren't you here now? Take good care of him, huh. And protect yourself."
He threw a wink before he left the office, closing the door behind him.
The click of the door echoed in the quiet space. Today, she had taken another step, and she couldn't turn back.
Stella sat back in her chair, looking toward the door to the CEO's office. She had to gain his trust, so she would be able to use his power to investigate what happened all those years ago.
The rest of the day was uneventful, She sat at her desk reading as many files as she could. Liam stayed in his office holding back-to-back business meetings and wasn't even done when she clocked out for the day.
Every now and then, she'd glance at the door. It remained closed. He didn't ask for anything, not even coffee. The soundproofing was good, she couldn't hear what was going on inside. There was still time.
She didn't mind being ignored. She could use her time to learn more.
That evening, Stella's call to her aunt finally connected. In the month since she returned to America, she had been calling her aunt every night but got no answer. While she regularly spoke with her aunt's husband and children and got updates from them. She hadn't heard her aunt's voice once.
"Aunty Andrea," Stella said, her voice breaking.
"Hmm."
"Aunty Andrea," She broke into tears, sobbing.
"Sweetie, what's wrong. Did you get bullied? What happened? Stay put, I'll get on the next flight tomorrow to come get you."
"No. No. I'm fine." Stella said through her tears. "I'm just happy. You're not angry anymore?"
"Not angry. I just wish you'd always be safe."
"I'm safe. Everything has been going well. Today I was promoted to Main Secretary to the CEO."
"Richard Carson?"
"No, his nephew. Apparently, there has always been a hidden heir that the chairman favours. And now I'm one of his right-hand men."
Her aunt sighed. "It's nice that you're making progress. If—"
"Aunty Wendy. I need to do this."
"I understand. I wasn't going to say you shouldn't."
"But you were always against it."
"What use is that? Aren't you doing it anyway? I've sent everything I've found over the years. Remember to check it."
"Aunty Wendy," Stella started tearing up again.
"Alright. Alright. Don't cry, okay."
"Aunty Stella! Aunty Stella!"
"How are you both still awake?" She heard her aunt shout from the other end
She spent the next couple of minutes catching up with her younger cousins.
It's late, you both have school, go get some sleep." Aunt Weny took the phone from them. "Don't do anything dangerous, okay?"
"Yes," Stella whispered. She would try, but she couldn't guarantee anything.
When the call ended, she lay on her bed, holding her phone to her chest. The room was dark except for the soft glow from under the bathroom door. She closed her eyes, letting her mind drift to the few memories she remembered from her childhood.
The warmth.
For a moment, she wasn't the girl chasing revenge— she was just Stella.
Stella Stanley.
The next day, however, was different, from the security guards to the receptionists to the executive staff who usually ignored her— now they treated her with respect, greeting and wishing her a nice day.
On her desk was a bouquet of flowers, a congratulations card, and a box of chocolate chip cookies. Stella raised her brow and sat down wordlessly.
The card read, "Congratulations on your promotion, do well in your new role. – Luke Miller."
It seemed like she had gotten the attention of the big players. Luke was Richard Carson's secretary.
A few moments later, Liam walked in.
"Good morning, Mr. Carson," Stella said with a small bow. "I have organized your schedule for the week. Would you like a report now?"
"You're settling in quite well." Liam smiled, walking to her desk and placing a coffee cup on it. "Morning fuel."
She picked up the cup and took a sip. It was her favorite flavour.
She looked up at him briefly, eyes unreadable.
"You can come in in 30 minutes, I have a meeting now," he said simply and walked into his office.
She watched the door close behind him, turning her attention back to her desktop. But her thoughts
Stella stared down at the cup. He was nice, really nice.
But he was one of them.
And his kindness wasn't enough.