Chapter 19

The moment William Johnson stepped into his office, the air pressure on the entire floor plummeted.

Secretaries trembled as they handed him documents, barely daring to breathe.

The newly appointed vice president had only returned to the country a little over a month ago, known for his gentle demeanor. This icy expression was a first.

Knock knock—

A secretary who had just escaped mustered the courage to knock again, her back already damp with cold sweat.

"Speak." William's voice was sharp as frost.

"Miss Clark is waiting for you downstairs."

A glint of steel flashed in William's eyes. "Send her up."

Five minutes later, Emma Clark pushed open the door, her face still bearing fading bruises.

"William..." she whimpered pitifully.

William's gaze swept over her injuries—more severe than Emily Smith's—and the tension that had weighed on him for days eased slightly. He leaned back lazily into his leather chair. "What is it?"

Emma immediately launched into tearful accusations, finally producing the black card. "This is the one Emily stole!"

"Stole?" William suddenly chuckled lowly, twirling the card between his fingers. "Who told you it was missing?"

"Your secretary did," Emma said, confused.

William's eyes turned frigid as he pressed the intercom. When the secretary entered, she was met with his mocking gaze.

"You're fired," he said casually. "Be gone in half an hour."

The secretary froze as if struck by lightning, but under his stare, she swallowed her protests and fled.

"William, you—"

"Want to be my secretary?" he interrupted. "Go complete the onboarding now."

Emma was overjoyed, but as she stood, his icy warning cut through the air: "Remember your place."

After finishing the paperwork, she immediately called her best friend.

"That bitch must have seduced William!" she hissed through gritted teeth.

A light laugh came from the other end. "Keep a close eye on things for me, and you won’t be disappointed."

50th Floor, Business Department

Emily Smith had just finished accompanying Michael Thompson to meet a client and was about to head to a lunch invitation.

When the elevator doors opened, she unexpectedly locked eyes with William. Standing beside him was Emma, looking smug.

"Good afternoon, Vice President Johnson," the group greeted in unison.

As Emily bowed her head in greeting, Emma leaned in and whispered, "I'm his chief secretary now. Just wait till I destroy you."

In the private dining room, Michael teased, "That new secretary seems quite familiar with you?"

"She said she’ll 'take good care' of me," Emily replied with a strained smile.

Her phone suddenly vibrated. Two words flashed on the screen: [Come out]

At the end of the hallway, William stood silhouetted against the light, a cigarette burning between his fingers.

"Vice President Johnson," she called softly.

He turned, smoke blurring his features. "Healed?" he asked.

"The doctor said it’ll scar," she murmured, lowering her gaze.

William suddenly gripped her chin, his thumb brushing over the mark. "Did it hurt?"

"Not anymore."

He chuckled darkly before biting her earlobe. "Want revenge?"

"Yes," she answered without hesitation.

"Then show me what you’ve got." His scorching breath against her neck sent a shiver down her spine.