Chapter 3Rebellion Comes at Midnight

After the official announcement, I spent the afternoon fielding sympathetic comments from my colleagues.

“Ms. Monroe must not want to let you go. You’re her right-hand man, after all.”

“It’s a competency trap. She probably knows she’ll never find another secretary who suits her so well.”

“Besides, for the new company, I bet Ms. Monroe wanted a woman in that role. It’s tough for guys in the corporate world.”

I feigned indifference, saying it didn’t really matter to me.

In reality, I was grinding my back teeth to dust.

Damn you, Charlotte.

This time, I’m going to make you wear out your kneecaps.

Before leaving work, I created a new account.

For the profile picture, I used a photo from my college days. Black motorcycle jacket, hair dyed silver-grey—a world away from the man in the gold-rimmed glasses with meticulously combed hair I was today.

After making sure there were no other issues, I sent the contact card to Charlotte.

A friend request came through almost immediately.

I accepted. My first message: [Heard you were looking for me?]

She replied instantly.

[I was. Don’t you think you should take responsibility for assaulting someone? My knees still hurt.]

[That must be because your kneeling posture was incorrect.]

[You’re right. It’s all my fault.]

Before I could reply, another message came through.

I opened it.

It was a photo.

A selfie of a woman kneeling behind an office desk. Her face wasn’t visible, but the tailored business suit was unmistakably hers.

[Is Your Majesty’s anger appeased now?]

Hiss— She was really committing to this, wasn’t she?

I sucked in a sharp breath, instinctively turning my phone away as if it were burning hot. But a strange, secret thrill coursed through me.

I glanced toward Charlotte’s office. The door was shut tight, offering no clue as to what she was doing inside.

I tapped my phone and changed her contact name to [Charlotte the Dog].

As I was packing up, a colleague came over.

“Simon, we have a department dinner tonight. Who are you riding with?”

I blinked, having completely forgotten about the year-end team dinner. It was at a bar. I had developed a recent and severe allergy to bars.

“I have to work late,” I said immediately. “I won’t be able to make it.”

As expected, a look of pity crossed her face. “The boss’s work pace is terrifying. You’re the only one in the whole company who can keep up.”

I managed a weak smile and didn’t reply.

I waited until the entire department had left before finally letting out a sigh of relief. My arms were still sore from all the slapping last night. I was looking forward to going home early and catching up on sleep.

Just as I was shutting down my computer, I heard footsteps behind me.

“You didn’t go to the dinner?”

Even though the promotion issue had left a bitter taste in my mouth, I forced myself to sound cheerful.

“No, I still have some work to finish up.”

“Are you done now?”

Unsure of her intentions, I played it safe. “Almost.”

“I’ll wait for you. We can go together.”

I froze. “Go? Go where?”

“To the team dinner.”

I was stunned. “You’re going too?”

Charlotte raised an eyebrow. “Is there a rule against it?”

I plastered on my professional smile. “Of course not.”

The car ride was silent. Charlotte sat beside me, one leg crossed elegantly over the other. My mind drifted to the photo she’d sent me, of her half-kneeling on her chair. I couldn’t resist sneaking a glance at her.

She caught me.

“Something on your mind?”

“There seems to be a… a tear in your collar. Do you need a bandage?” I blurted out, pointing randomly at the area just above her collarbone.

Instant regret.

That was exactly where I’d bitten her.

Her brow furrowed. She opened her phone, using the front-facing camera to inspect her neck. Her voice turned frosty. “No.”

I didn't dare say another word.

But a second later, my phone began to vibrate violently.

Charlotte the Dog: [You bit my neck.]

Charlotte the Dog: [And your brother saw it. How am I supposed to explain this?]

I glanced at my screen, terrified Charlotte would see. I didn't dare reply.

Charlotte tapped her fingers on her knee.

Then started typing again.

Charlotte the Dog: [Hello? Why aren’t you answering me?]

Charlotte the Dog: [I’m not blaming you, you know~]

Charlotte the Dog: [Have you found another dog behind my back?]

Her typing speed was insane. I hadn't even had time to switch my phone to silent. In the quiet car, my phone was practically doing a breakdance.

Charlotte shot me an irritated look. “Is your phone always that loud?” she drawled sarcastically. “Who could possibly have so much to say?”

I quickly enabled Do Not Disturb mode and forced a laugh.

“Sorry about that. My dog must have stepped on the keyboard.”