Chapter 4The CEO’s Final Play.
About 1,981 characters (~360 words) — this is Chapter 4, the last of the 4 free chapters on EditWrx Reads.
Dominic didn't come home that night.
I stayed in the living room, watching the city go from midnight to dawn. My time was coming.
When the clock struck 8 AM, I was dressed in a power suit, heavy concealer hiding the dark circles under my eyes.
I didn't expect to see Lily Rose at the office.
She was wearing a brand-new professional suit, sitting at the desk outside Dominic’s office. When she saw me, she stood up with a smug smile.
"Good morning, Ms. Sterling."
The way her mouth curved into a triumphant arc made my skin crawl. I called the HR manager over immediately and asked what kind of "stray" they were letting into the building.
Lily looked like she wanted to melt into the floor. Her face turned red, tears welling up under my interrogation.
"Ms. Sterling, please," she sobbed. "I really need this job. Don't take this from me. You people have everything... can't I have this?"
Classic "damsel" dialogue.
I looked past her shoulder at the office door. Right on cue, it opened. Dominic stood there, cold.
"Chloe, you were born with a silver spoon, but that doesn't give you the right to bully people."
"She’s my assistant, not yours."
With one sentence, he drew the line. He walked over, took Lily’s hand, and announced to the staff:
"Starting today, Ms. Rose is my Chief of Staff. Her word is my word."
The "Exception," indeed.
I didn't argue. I turned and walked into my own office.
Near the end of the day, my assistant reminded me of a gala we had to attend. My biggest project of the year depended on this meeting.
I did my makeup, put on my gown, and went to find Dominic. Before I could knock, the door opened. Dominic and Lily walked out, laughing.
I froze. It was early autumn, and the draft from the window felt like ice on my bare shoulders.
Dominic didn't even stop. "Lily will be accompanying me tonight. Don't bother coming, Chloe."
"Dominic, I’ve been working on this merger for six months."
His voice grew distant as they walked toward the elevator. "It’s Lily’s project now."