Leo Anders was a name that commanded attention. As the dynamic CEO of Summit River Corp, he was celebrated not only for his sharp business mind but also for his charm and striking looks. Magazines crowned him “the most desirable CEO in the country,” and his face was a fixture in the media—on glossy covers, at glamorous events, and in countless interviews that painted him as the embodiment of modern success. Yet, behind the carefully curated image of Leo’s rise to the top, there was an invisible figure—his wife and Co-CEO, Claire Linwood-Anders.
Unlike Leo, Claire’s existence was a secret the world had never uncovered. No press articles mentioned her, no photos captured her presence, and no awards ceremonies acknowledged her contributions. To the public, Claire might as well have been a ghost. Behind the scenes, however, she was the silent force that kept Summit River running smoothly. Calculated and precise, Claire thrived in the shadows, her focus solely on the company’s success. She never sought attention, and she certainly didn’t believe in love, a concept she dismissed as unnecessary and impractical.
Their marriage, I discovered, was not a union of hearts but of ambition—a cold, strategic alliance orchestrated by their fathers to secure Summit River’s future. While Claire excelled in her role as the company’s backbone, Leo basked in the spotlight, projecting the confidence and charm of a born leader. Yet, there was something unspoken in his demeanour, as if he carried a secret no one could quite uncover.
The contrast between them fascinated me. Why did someone as brilliant as Claire choose to remain invisible? Why was Leo’s personal life a carefully guarded mystery? The deeper I delved, the more curious I became about the woman no one seemed to know—a powerful figure who existed just beyond the reach of the world’s gaze.
            That night, I couldn’t understand why the CEO was in our department so late, especially when most people had already gone home. But I was grateful—grateful that they showed up and even more grateful for their help. Mrs. Claire was stunning. It struck me then how much I admired someone who carried an air of mystery, boldness, and quiet kindness.
In some ways, she reminded me of Kaia. For months now, I’ve tried to find ways to reach out to her, though each attempt has ended with hesitation. I still remember the package that arrived at my house a few years ago—a photo of us together. It came from a photography company, and a part of me hoped it was sent by her. Maybe it wasn’t, but it didn’t matter. What mattered was that she remembered me, even if I wasn’t sure she remembered me as much as I remembered her.
After her wedding, Kaia moved to another state with her husband. The house she used to live in was sold, replaced by strangers who didn’t know the memories etched into its walls. From the day she got married, I’ve been trying to move on, but some nights, I still dream of her. I dream of her touch, the way it lingered, the feelings it stirred—everything.
Mrs. Claire reminded me of that, too. The same kind gestures, the same quiet strength. But there was something different about her—something more. Mrs. Claire wasn’t just kind; she was magnetic. She carried a charisma that made her presence impossible to ignore.
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            “Aaron,” Ms. Evelyn called out as she approached Aaron, who was enjoying his lunch at the café.
“Yes, Evelyn?” Aaron looked up at her, gesturing with his eyes toward the seat across from him.
“Your junior, Finn. Is he good?” she asked, sliding into the seat.
“Yeah, he’s quite good. Really kind, always willing to help. Ah, and he’s always working overtime. I’m starting to think he’s trying to steal my position!” Aaron laughed, clearly joking.
“It’s not about that. Mrs. Claire has a complaint about him. Do you know what he did?” Evelyn’s voice was calm but tinged with curiosity.
“Oh? Really? No way! Why would that be? That kid seems so nice,” Aaron said, leaning forward with genuine surprise.
“Claire didn’t give specifics. She just asked me to look into it. You really have no idea?”
“None. Honestly, he’s a good kid—works well with the team,” Aaron said, shaking his head.
“Alright, no problem. I’ll figure it out another way,” Evelyn replied, about to get up.
“He’s close with Mae,” Aaron added casually, slurping a mouthful of noodles.
“Really?” Evelyn paused, her curiosity piqued.
Aaron nodded, still chewing his food
“Alright then,” Evelyn said, a small smirk forming. “I’ll get her.”
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A few moments later, Evelyn approached my desk. I was typing away, focused on the task at hand, when I noticed her standing beside me. She waited patiently until I looked up, pulling out one of my earbuds.
“Ms. Evelyn, hi,” I greeted her, sitting up a little straighter. “Is there something I can help you with?”
“Do you have a moment to talk?” she asked, her tone polite but direct.
“Of course,” I replied immediately, saving my work.
“Let’s step into the meeting room,” she said with a small nod, gesturing toward the nearby space.
I followed her into the room, and once the door closed, she turned to face me, her expression calm but serious.
“I wanted to ask you about Finn,” she began, her voice steady.       
The mention of his name made my stomach churn, but I kept my composure. “Finn? Is something wrong?” I asked carefully.
“Mrs. Claire has raised some concerns about him,” Evelyn explained. “She didn’t provide specifics but asked me to look into it. Since you’re in the same team, I thought you might have some insight. Is there anything I should know?”
I hesitated for a moment, choosing my words carefully. “Finn and I work together often,” I said, maintaining a professional tone. “He’s been helpful with deadlines and usually stays late to assist the team.”
Evelyn’s eyes narrowed slightly, studying me. “I see. But you two have a history, don’t you?”
I blinked, caught off guard. “Yes, we do,” I admitted, keeping my tone even. “We dated briefly in high school, but that was a long time ago. We’ve both moved on, and our interactions now are strictly professional.”
“Hmm,” she said, her tone thoughtful. “Mrs. Claire rarely raises concerns without reason. Has Finn done anything unusual recently? Any behaviour that might have stood out?”
I shook my head, keeping my expression neutral. “Not that I’m aware of,” I replied. “He’s been working hard and contributing to the team. I haven’t noticed anything out of the ordinary.”
Evelyn watched me closely, her gaze sharp yet understanding. “I trust your judgment,” she said after a moment. “But if anything comes up—or if you notice something that might be worth mentioning—please don’t hesitate to let me know.”
“Of course, Ms. Evelyn,” I said, nodding. “If I notice anything, I’ll let you know right away.”
She gave me a small smile and a nod before heading out of the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I took a deep breath, trying to steady the growing unease in my chest. I had chosen to keep quiet about Finn, but as I watched the door close behind her, I wondered how much longer I could keep this under wraps.
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Not even a day had passed when my phone buzzed with a call from an unsaved number. I glanced at it, curious but hesitant, and decided to ignore it. It wasn’t that I was too lazy to answer—it was more about me, my personality. I’m quite introverted, though I can adapt well to new environments when needed. It’s just that I’m not the hyper, overly energetic type that some people assume.
The phone buzzed again, a second call from the same number. This time, I sighed and decided to answer.
“Hello?” I said cautiously, holding the phone to my ear.
Silence.
“Hello?” I repeated, my voice firmer now. “Who’s there?”
There was a faint shuffle on the other end, but no response. I frowned, glancing at the screen again to check the number. It didn’t look familiar.
“Hello?” I tried once more, my unease growing.
Before I could end the call, a voice suddenly spoke up, sharp and unexpected.
“Mae, why are you lying?”
I froze, my breath catching in my throat. The question was startling, but even more unsettling was how familiar the voice sounded.
“Who’s this?” I asked, my voice shaky.
“Claire. Claire Linwood.” The tone was firm, leaving no room for doubt.
“Oh…” I stammered, my heart racing. “Ah… Mrs. Claire.”
“Come to my office. Now,” she said with authority, her voice cutting through any attempt at hesitation. It wasn’t a request—it was an order.
Before I could respond, the line went dead. I stared at my phone for a moment, trying to process what had just happened. My mind raced with questions. What did she mean by lying? And why did she sound so... stern?
Just as I was about to leave my desk, Nina's voice broke through my daze. “Ladies’ room?” she asked, her tone curious.
“Uhh… no,” I replied, hesitating slightly. “Mrs. Claire wants me to come to her office.”
The room fell silent for a moment, and I could feel the weight of their stares. Everyone’s expressions ranged from surprise to curiosity. It was no secret that Mrs. Claire rarely met with employees unless it was something significant.
I cleared my throat, offering a small, polite smile. “Excuse me,” I said before heading out.
As I walked toward the elevator, my nerves started to kick in. What could she possibly want? My thoughts were interrupted by the buzz of my phone. I pulled it out to see a message from Finn:
“Let me know why the Co-CEO wanted to meet you later.”
I let out a quiet, frustrated sigh, mumbling under my breath, “This motherfucker never lets me live in peace.”
The elevator arrived with a soft chime, and I stepped in, pressing the button for the 22nd floor. As the doors slid shut, I leaned against the wall, taking a deep breath to steady myself.
The ride up felt like it took forever, each floor ticked off like a countdown to something I wasn’t entirely prepared for. By the time the elevator chimed again and the doors opened to the executive floor, my heart was pounding.
I stepped out, the atmosphere on this floor noticeably different. It was quiet, pristine, and intimidating, with sleek interiors that radiated authority. Mrs. Claire’s office was at the far end of the hallway, the door closed.
I adjusted my blouse, exhaled deeply, and walked forward, each step echoing in the stillness. Whatever awaited me behind that door, I knew one thing for sure—it wasn’t going to be a casual chat.
As I approached the door, I noticed the small engraved nameplate: Claire Linwood-Anders, Co-CEO. The title alone was intimidating, and the silence of the executive floor only amplified the tension in my chest. I raised my hand to knock but hesitated for a brief moment. What exactly was I walking into?
Steeling myself, I knocked twice, the sound crisp and firm against the heavy wooden door.
“Come in,” her voice called from inside, calm yet commanding.
I turned the handle and stepped into the office, the grandeur of the space striking me immediately. Floor-to-ceiling windows let in streams of sunlight, casting a golden glow over the modern yet minimalist decor. Mrs. Claire sat behind an imposing desk, her posture as perfect as the tailored suit she wore. She looked up from her computer, her piercing eyes locking onto mine.
“Mae,” she said, her tone even but with an edge that made it clear she wasn’t in the mood for pleasantries.
“Mrs. Claire,” I responded, my voice steady despite the nervous energy buzzing in my veins.
She gestured to the chair in front of her desk. “Sit.”
I obeyed, lowering myself into the seat as she leaned back slightly, her gaze never leaving me. For a moment, there was silence, the kind that seemed to stretch endlessly, thick with unspoken tension.
“You know why I called you here, don’t you?” she asked, her voice smooth but laced with accusation.
I swallowed hard, unsure of how to respond. “I… I’m not entirely sure, ma’am,” I admitted, trying to maintain a professional demeanour.
Her lips pressed into a thin line, and she tilted her head slightly, as if scrutinizing me. “Don’t play coy with me, Mae. I don’t appreciate dishonesty.”
The word dishonesty hung in the air like a gavel hitting a courtroom bench. My mind raced, searching for what she could possibly mean. What did she think I had lied about? And more importantly—how did she know?
"What dishonesty? I really don’t understand," I said, my voice trembling slightly as I tried to mask the growing knot of anxiety in my chest.
Mrs. Claire's sharp glare didn’t waver. Instead of answering me, she picked up her office phone, her movements deliberate and precise. “Evelyn, my room,” she said, her tone curt and commanding, making it clear this wasn’t a request.
I sat frozen in my seat, my hands clasped tightly together in my lap. The air felt heavy, suffocating, as if the walls of her office were closing in on me.
A few moments later, Evelyn entered, her expression professional but curious. She glanced between Mrs. Claire and me, clearly sensing the tension in the room.
“You lied to her,” Mrs. Claire said sharply, her gaze cutting through me, “and you lied to me.”
I flinched slightly under her words. “About Finn?” I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Then who?” she snapped, her tone icy and unyielding.
I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out. My mind was a mess of confusion and panic. What exactly did she think I was hiding? And why was Evelyn here? My pulse quickened as I realized this was far more serious than I had anticipated.
Before I could utter a word in my defence, Mrs. Claire interrupted, her tone cutting through the air like a blade. "I didn’t mention what it was about, yet you already know. That means you’ve been lying, Mae."
My breath hitched, and I instinctively started to apologize. "I’m sorry... but—"
She didn’t let me finish. Leaning back slightly in her chair, her eyes narrowing, she said, "All this time, I’ve been watching you—since the day I sent you home."
Her words left me speechless. My mind replayed that day like a flickering memory I couldn’t escape, but I couldn’t find the strength to respond.
She continued, her voice softer now but no less piercing. "Why didn’t you ask for help?"
Her question hung in the air, heavy and almost accusatory. My throat tightened as I searched for an answer, but nothing I could say felt right. How could I admit that I had chosen silence, thinking I could handle it alone?