PUBLIC HUMILIATION
Elara stepped out of the elevator, holding her coffee like a shield.
The office was unusually quiet.
Too quiet.
She felt it instantly—those looks.
Whispers.
Phones secretly raised.
Her stomach twisted.
"What's going on?" she murmured.
She hadn't even reached her desk when a loud voice cut through the air.
"Well, well… if it isn't the CEO's secret wife."
Elara froze.
Serena.
Perfect hair. Designer dress. Fake smile.
The entire floor went silent.
Elara clenched her fists.
"What do you want?"
Serena walked closer, circling her like a predator.
"I just find it funny," she said loudly, "how some women sleep their way to the top."
Gasps rippled through the office.
Elara's face burned.
"Watch your mouth."
"Oh?" Serena laughed. "Did I lie? You were nobody yesterday. Today, you're living in a penthouse."
Lucien's office door opened.
He stepped out.
The air shifted instantly.
"Enough," he said coldly.
Serena turned sweet.
"Lucien, I was just joking."
He didn't look at her.
His eyes locked on Elara.
"Come with me."
Before Elara could move, Serena grabbed her arm.
"You think he loves you?" Serena whispered cruelly.
"You're just a contract. A disposable toy."
Elara snapped.
She yanked her arm free and slapped Serena.
The sound echoed.
Silence.
Serena gasped, eyes wide.
"You don't get to touch me," Elara said, voice shaking but strong.
"Ever."
Lucien stared.
For a second, he looked… impressed.
Serena's eyes filled with rage.
"You'll regret this," she hissed. "I promise."
She stormed off.
---
Inside Lucien's office
Lucien shut the door.
"You shouldn't have done that," he said calmly.
Elara laughed bitterly.
"So you wanted me to smile?"
"She's dangerous," he replied.
"You poked a snake."
"She poked me first," Elara shot back.
"I'm not weak."
He studied her.
For the first time, he didn't see a helpless woman.
He saw fire.
"Good," he said quietly.
"Because this city eats the weak."
Their eyes locked.
The tension wasn't soft.
It was dangerous.
---
Elsewhere
Serena stormed into the bathroom.
She stared at her reflection.
"That nobody slapped me," she whispered.
Her phone buzzed.
Evan.
She answered.
"We need to talk," he said.
"I found something about Elara."
Serena's lips curled into a smile.
"Perfect."