Cecelia Williams was one of Cohen Howell's admirers, but unfortunately, she never succeeded in winning his heart. To Cohen, she was just a reliable employee, appreciated solely for her professional competence. Cecelia habitually wore shirts that were a size too small, with buttons that seemed perpetually ready to pop. She was incredibly sharp in her work, yet she didn't understand the intricacies of male attention.
It was clear Cohen preferred more reserved types, like Cleo Hall and, later, Kenna Murray. Women who dressed provocatively were beneath Cohen's standards, not even meriting a second glance. Of course, Audrey Perry wasn't in any position to criticize Cecelia's lack of perception. Even though she knew Cohen's preferences, she still couldn't capture his attention. Cohen's indifference toward her was not something that could be resolved with conciliation.
Cecelia stood with her back straight, looking at Audrey with disdain. "Mr. Howell is busy and doesn't allow interruptions."
After graduating, Cecelia had joined Howell Corp and quickly gained Mr. Howell's favor. From her first days there, she was aware of Audrey Perry, Howell's eldest daughter, who often trailed after Mr. Howell. An Ivy League student who left her studies to pursue a handsome man and eventually pressured Mr. Howell into marriage, she did nothing meaningful afterward, not even returning to her education. Despite having the potential for an elite career, she opted to be a homemaker.
For a dedicated professional like Cecelia, nothing was more contemptible than a full-time homemaker. "For the family" or "for the kids"; she viewed it as an excuse for idleness! Even with her privileged background, Cecelia looked down on Audrey’s choice as a homemaker.
Audrey and her idol, Mr. Howell, had little to talk about. She excelled at keeping their home spotless and guessing Mr. Howell's culinary preferences, demonstrating her "lack of utility." Did she think outside eateries weren't clean enough, or that Michelin-starred chefs couldn't rival her, a woman unaccustomed to manual labor? Beyond her youthful looks, Audrey seemed, in Cecelia's eyes, utterly clueless!
No wonder Cohen paid her no mind!
Audrey adjusted her sunglasses, grinning broadly at Cecelia, whom she hadn't seen in a while. In truth, Cecelia's pride would soon be short-lived; Kenna Murray would soon take her place.
To handle a woman who was all talk, Audrey stepped forward, exuding more confidence. "Even if Cohen dislikes me, he still has to treat me like royalty. He wouldn't dare boss me around, so who do you think you are?"
In the past, Audrey had genuinely feared Cecelia. As Cohen's trusted aide, Cecelia's opinion mattered, and Audrey worried about alienating those close to him, fearing it might make him despise her even more. Eventually, all of Cohen's assistants acted bold enough to disregard her. Not only did Cecelia look down on her, but Audrey also resented how she wasted opportunities in the name of love.
Taken aback by Audrey's assertiveness, Cecelia furrowed her brow. Did Audrey really think marrying Cohen made her the queen of Howell Corp? Dream on! Cecelia said sternly, "I only take orders from Mr. Howell. If you try forcing your way in, go ahead and test the top-notch security."
She didn't believe an undervalued CEO's wife posed any threat. Blocking Audrey in the name of work, Mr. Howell wouldn't scold her.
Audrey arched an eyebrow. Threatening her? She didn't love Cohen anymore, so his associates held no sway over her. "Wow, Cecelia, it's impressive you can keep a wife from seeing her husband."
Audrey gave a sly smile, moving closer. Her tone was light and gentle, "I heard Howell Corp's executive assistants need a graduate degree, yet Cecelia's MBA... I heard it was bought?"
Cecelia's scalp tingled as her complexion turned pale. How... how did she know? This secret hadn't even been shared with her parents, who still flaunted their daughter's graduate degree to relatives. How had Audrey, whom she'd deemed clueless, unearthed this?
At the recruitment event, Cecelia had developed a crush on Cohen at first sight. To secure a position closest to him, she'd pulled strings to graduate early. She'd worked diligently to become the chief assistant, but if Cohen discovered her falsified degree, would he be lenient?
Cecelia dared not risk it. She retorted angrily, "Did you investigate me?"
"Ah~" Audrey smiled broadly. "So it is true."
She recalled a rumor when Kenna eventually replaced Cecelia. Kenna had allegedly found proof of Cecelia's degree forgery, but few believed it. Cecelia's job performance matched her supposed credentials. Besides, who would think a chief assistant would leave such a vulnerability? After years of work and study, surely she could have earned the degree legitimately. Why use a fake one? But Audrey believed it.
Cecelia worked tirelessly, with no time for study while juggling her job. Audrey had guessed correctly~ Cecelia now realized she'd been outsmarted by Audrey, whom she'd dismissed as naive. "Move!" Audrey bumped Cecelia's shoulder out of her way, her tone chilly as a winter day. "Block me again, and I'll spill the beans about your fake degree to Cohen. If you do my bidding, your secret stays safe."
Two can play the game of threats.
Cecelia clenched her fists, powerless against Audrey, forced to watch her head toward Cohen's office. Just before opening the door, Audrey turned to wink at Cecelia, offering a helpful reminder, "Cecelia, find time to earn that graduate degree for real. My silence won't guarantee others'. You can work tirelessly for Cohen, but he only sees you as a silent tool. Stop pandering to men; investing in yourself is the real answer."
Audrey's words were as much advice for herself as for Cecelia. Cecelia, however, took them as a threat. Returning to her desk, she resumed her relentless work. She couldn't afford to slack off; any time spent studying was a chance for the second assistant to usurp her role. She needed to keep Audrey from revealing her secret. Should she really listen to that fool like Audrey suggested? Cecelia was not convinced!
*
Hearing a noise, Cohen assumed it was his assistant. "Just take the signed documents out."
"It's me."
Cohen paused, his eyes lifting from the paperwork to Audrey, displeasure evident as he asked with disdain, "Who let you in?"
