Chapter 2

"What, did I say something wrong?"

I turned to my father. "Someone who only got her bachelor's degree through your connections, who has assistants ghost-write her project reports—she's going to run core operations?"

"Dad, are you trying to destroy the company you spent thirty years building?"

Dad was shaking with rage. He grabbed the cup next to him and hurled it at me.

I didn't dodge.

It grazed my temple. Warm liquid ran down the side of my face—tea or blood, hard to tell.

Everyone gasped.

Olivia shrieked—and rushed to grab my father's hand, fussing over him.

"Dad! Are you okay? Does your hand hurt?"

Like he'd just thrown a boulder, not a cup.

I was standing there with blood running down my face, and my biological father didn't even glance my way. He was too busy comforting Olivia.

"Leah, you're bleeding!"

Olivia acted like she just noticed. "Let me call a doctor!"

"Don't touch me."

I stepped back, looking at her. Looking at him.

So this was what it felt like when your heart died.

Not anger. Not pain. Just... flat calm.

I pulled out my ID card, dropped it on the floor, and turned to leave.

"Leah! What the hell do you think you're doing?!"

Dad barked behind me.

"Nothing."

I didn't turn around. My voice was level. "Just realized something. I'm too ambitious, too aggressive. I really don't belong in such a harmonious company."

I paused, glanced back at Olivia. Caught the flash of contempt in her eyes.

"The CEO job? Give it to whoever you want."

I wiped the blood off my face, smirked.

"From now on, enjoy doting on your goddaughter. See if she can take the company public."

I walked. My father's voice thundered behind me.

"Leah! If you walk out that door, don't even think about coming back!"

I didn't look back.

Employees in the hallway scattered. Their eyes went wide when they saw the blood. Whispers followed.

"Leah got hit with a cup by the Chairman."

"Why? Her numbers are the best, aren't they?"

"Olivia's the new CEO. Leah didn't take it well."

"But that's his daughter."

"Daughter? Who cares when Olivia's so good at sucking up? She bought me coffee once when I was working late. Leah? All she does is work, work, work. If I were on the board, I'd pick Olivia too."

I glanced at her. She shrank like she wanted to disappear. I couldn't help but laugh.

Turns out ass-kissing beats actual results.

The elevator doors opened. My boyfriend Jasper stepped out.

Saw the wound on my forehead. Froze. "Leah, your head—"

He was cut off by Olivia rushing up, face full of fake concern. "Leah, where are you going? Dad didn't mean it, just go apologize, and everything will be fine."

She spotted Jasper, lit up. "Jasper? Oh, good, you're here. Please talk some sense into her—she and Dad had a fight."

Jasper looked at me, then at Olivia. Hesitated.

Then spoke to Olivia first. "What happened? Are you okay?"

I stared at him in disbelief. My heart shattered.

Olivia bit her lip and shook her head lightly. "I'm fine, Jasper... really."