1

Before Thanksgiving, my colleague Fiona Steele made a grand announcement that she was getting married to our company's CEO.

The excitement in the office was palpable as she handed out invitations to everyone except me.

Before I could even voice my confusion, she stormed up to me, eyes blazing.

"I knew you, you were that mistress got out of my fiancé's car last week, right?

"I'm warning you. Stay away from him! You're still young. There are plenty of better things to do than playing the role of a homewrecker!"

The atmosphere thickened with tension as my colleagues chimed in, some praising Fiona's kindness while others sneered at me, suggesting I was dreaming if I thought I could ever compete with her.

From that moment on, my meticulously organized files began to vanish overnight, and someone even wrote "slut" in bright red lipstick across my desk.

When the wedding day finally arrived, I found myself at the venue. The moment my colleagues saw me, they couldn't hold back their laughter and jibes.

Fiona, furious, called for security, demanding I be kicked out.

But I simply sauntered over to the main table, a confident smile on my face.

"Fiona, today you're marrying my dad's adopted son. How could I not come and wish you well?"

...

This morning, I stepped into the office, and something felt decidedly off.

Before I even reached my desk, Fiona burst in, her arms overflowing with chocolates, handing them out like a candy-coated queen.

She beamed with excitement as she announced her upcoming wedding on Thanksgiving.

With a flourish, she pulled out an invitation from her bag. "You all have to come!"

Serena Hayes' eyes widened in surprise as she read the invitation.

"You're marrying Mr. Harper!"

Fiona raised an eyebrow, placing a finger to her lips as if shushing a crowd.

She wore a smug grin, her tone dripping with arrogance.

"Of course! I told you I was going to make this happen, and look. Here's the proof!"

As she waved the invitation in the air, I couldn't help but feel confused.

I knew my dad had an adopted son, but I was completely kept in the dark about this wedding. I had even come to the office by his car.

Just then, Fiona was already halfway through distributing her invitations.

Several colleagues, left out of the loop, raised their hands. "What about me, Fiona?"

Remembering my dad's advice before coming to work, I hesitantly joined in, raising my hand too.

Fiona worked her way around, finally approaching me.

But when she reached my side, she scoffed, turning her back and handing the invitation to the colleague next to me instead.

Thinking it was maybe because she hadn't seen me, I raised my hand higher.

Yet, after she had finished handing out all the invitations, I still didn't receive one.

Just as I was about to lower my arm, Fiona shot me a glare that could freeze fire.

"Do you know why you didn't get an invitation, Elena?" she sneered.

In that moment, every pair of eyes in the room turned to me.

I felt a rush of heat creeping up my cheeks, embarrassed by the attention.

Just as I opened my mouth to respond, she marched over, her demeanor fierce.

"Because you're shameless!"

I blinked in disbelief and shot up from my chair. "Excuse me?

"What did you just say?"

With a cold smile, she replied, "You're trying to steal my man."

I frowned and pointed to the invitation on the table. "Your man? You mean Ryan Harper?

"He's my..."

"You knew it but you're still seducing him and trying to be his mistress? In your dream, 'cause Ryan and I are getting married!"

Fiona cut me off, rolling her eyes as she waved her hand to gather everyone's attention.

"This morning, I saw Elena getting out of my fiancé's car.

"When I asked him about it, he said she'd been chasing after him like a clingy little dog!"

I almost laughed out loud. If Ryan really said that, my dad would have kicked him to the curb ages ago.

Fiona's story was so exaggerated, and her eyes blazed with anger as she stared me down.

"I know women like you. You pretend to be all about hard work and ambitions, but behind the scenes, you would spread your legs wide to snag men.

"I'm feeling generous today, so I'll let it slide. Besides, my husband would never go for someone like you.

"I can forgive you this time."

Then, she suddenly switched gears.

"But if I catch you again, you'll be in for more than just a warning."

I couldn't believe how ridiculous this was, but my colleagues seemed to hang on her every word.

Kelly Parker, sitting nearby, even tossed a paper ball at me.

"Look at you, putting on a nice front, but really, you're just this kind of person behind closed doors."

She clicked her tongue in disapproval. "That bag of yours couldn't also be from some old guy trying to win you over, could it?"

Laughter erupted around the room.

I glanced down at my bag, which was honestly the cheapest one in my closet.

On my first day at work, the team leader Gideon Black had pulled me into his office.

He pointed at my outfit and designer bag, and said, "Seriously, you're wearing these expensive pieces to work?

"With you showing off, who would even know if you're the leader or if I am?"

I took his words to heart and immediately had some new clothes customized, switching to an older bag from years ago.

Serena looked at me with contempt. "You're not just jealous that Fiona landed a great guy, are you? Trying to see if you can pull a Cinderella story too?"

I bit my lip and tucked my bag further behind me.

"Actually, Mr. Harper is..."

"Are you here to work or to gossip? Get back to your seats!"

Once again, my chance to explain was cut off as Gideon slammed the door in annoyance.

Fiona smirked, strutting into Gideon's office like she owned the place.