"What have you done to Jennie?"
Oska's voice was low, trembling with restrained fury as he confronted his wife.
"Nothing," Stevanie replied, feigning innocence with a sly smile. "I just explained a few basic rules for working with us."
"Liar!" Oska's tone sharpened. "You must have threatened her!"
Stevanie merely raised her hands in mock confusion, then turned away and walked toward her office as though the matter were trivial.
Oska didn't waste another second. He rushed down the stairs, heart pounding, hoping to catch Jennie before she left.
But he was too late.
The lobby was empty except for a few lingering staff. Through the glass doors, he saw Jennie already near the street, her slender figure trembling as she tried to suppress her sobs.
"Jennie! Wait!"
The young woman turned around. Her eyes were swollen and red.
"I'm sorry, sir," she said between shaky breaths, "but I can't work with you anymore."
Oska approached her cautiously. "I need to know why. What did she say to you? My God, Jennie—what happened to your neck?"
Jennie lowered her gaze, her voice quivering.
"It was your wife. She told me to leave and never come back. She said if I stayed, she'd make my life miserable—every single day. This mark on my neck…" she hesitated, tears welling again, "…is just a warning. She said next time, she wouldn't stop there."
Her words drew the attention of passersby. Oska instinctively pulled her closer, shielding her from curious stares.
"I'm so sorry," he murmured, his tone softening. "I didn't think she would go this far. I should have stopped her."
Jennie shook her head. "Please, sir… I can't stay. I don't feel safe anymore."
"Hey, look at me." Oska gently wiped away her tears. "You have my word—I won't let Stevanie touch you again. You'll be under my protection from now on. I promise."
"I… I don't know," Jennie whispered. "Your wife scares me more than anyone I've ever met."
"I understand," he said quietly. "For now, go home. Rest. I'll handle things here. And tomorrow, if you still feel up to it, come back. I'll make sure no one harms you again."
He reached into his pocket, pulling out a few folded bills. "Here—take this. A thousand dollars. Consider it an apology for what she did."
Jennie hesitated, but eventually took the money with trembling hands. "And if she comes after me again?"
"Then I'll deal with her myself," Oska said firmly. "You have my word."
Jennie nodded weakly, her expression softening. Then she turned and walked away, disappearing into the afternoon light.
Oska watched her go, his heart felt a bit guilty and worried. He knew this was only the beginning.
Storming back into the office, he found Stevanie seated behind her desk, casually speaking on the phone. His anger radiated from every step he took, but she seemed utterly unfazed.
A single raised finger was all it took for her to silence him until she finished her call.
"I understand," she said sweetly. "How about eleven o'clock tomorrow? Perfect. See you then." She hung up.
"Now then—" Oska started.
"Hold on." She lifted the phone again. "Please send up an espresso to my office. Thank you."
"Are you done playing games?" he snapped.
"Not yet. Five minutes."
When the knock came, a young woman entered with a tray and quietly placed the coffee on the desk. Stevanie took a sip, savoring the taste as if nothing had happened.
"Enough," Oska barked. "What did you do to Jennie? Why did you hurt her?"
Stevanie set her cup down and walked to the window, her tone cool and detached.
"First of all, I didn't hurt her. And the second, I don't like seeing you get too close to other women. I suppose it's normal for a wife to feel jealous, isn't it?"
"Your words are poison," Oska said bitterly. "I can tell when you're lying. Tell me the truth—what did you do to her?"
"I told her to keep her distance from you," Stevanie replied calmly. "I've seen enough movies to know how easily assistants fall for their bosses. I was just… preventing that."
"Are you seriously jealous of me?"
"I just don't like anyone taking my favorite toy away," she said, smiling faintly.
"You're insane," he muttered. "Listen to me—whatever your reasons, stay away from Jennie. If you ever hurt her again, I'll leave you for good. And this time, I won't come back."
"Hmph!" Stevanie puffed up her cheeks, clearly unimpressed. "Now you're threatening me? Fine, do as you please."
Oska exhaled heavily. He knew arguing with her was useless. The woman in front of him wasn't his wife—she was a storm wearing human skin.
With that, the final hour at Bai Cheng's office felt endless.
When the sun finally dipped below the horizon, Stevanie, Oska, and Annchi headed home in silence. The air inside the car was heavy, each of them lost in their own thoughts.
Stevanie's mind replayed the scene from earlier—the threat in Oska's voice, the look in his eyes. A mix of irritation and unease twisted in her chest.
As they reached the front gate, she noticed two women standing there, each carrying a large bag.
"Who are they?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.