Summer could barely concentrate on anything. Her mind was in chaos, consumed by only one thought.
’I can’t be his secretary. I can’t work here anymore.’
Her fingers shook a little as she started typing a resignation letter. Her phone buzzed on the desk, halting her mid-action. Seeing Kate’s name on the screen, she answered it instantly.
"Hello?"
"In my office – now."
The line went dead.
Hearing her serious tone, Summer’s stomach twisted. She had an ominous feeling. Had Gideon already complained about her?
Gideon had stopped at nothing to torment her in the past, tearing her world apart. Was he planning the same?
’I’ll resign before he has the chance to ruin me or my family.’
Determined, she went to her office.
The moment she entered the room, Kate shot her a withering look. "Everyone was present to welcome the CEO," she started coldly. "And you slipped away! You are his secretary. You were supposed to be at his side, introducing him to the team and guiding him to his office. But you walked off to take a call. That was careless and unprofessional. I didn’t expect this from you, Summer. You disappointed me."
Summer didn’t care. She wanted to leave this place as soon as possible. "It was from the hospital," she replied. "It’s about my daughter. I couldn’t ignore it."
Kate’s expression softened a bit, but the disappointment in her eyes didn’t fade.
"I can’t continue working here," Summer added. "My daughter is sick. She needs me."
"Uh..." Kate sighed in frustration. "Look, the CEO has just arrived, and you are his secretary. How could you think of resigning now? Go and meet him. Don’t make things difficult for us."
"You are not understanding, Kate." Summer grew desperate. She wanted to leave this place, this city, even the country, if possible. She couldn’t let that psycho come after her and her family again.
Kate gaped at her for a moment, lost for words. She was aware of that little girl’s condition.
"I understand how difficult it is for you. But dear, consider it carefully before you make the final decision. You will need a fortune for her treatment. Resigning now isn’t wise."
Kate was right. Quitting the job at that point could make things worse. Hope’s medical expenses were overwhelming. But the thought of staying and facing Gideon terrified her even more. If she stayed, she was afraid her life would be miserable. She didn’t have a choice.
"I wouldn’t have thought about resigning, if..."
Kate held up a hand and stopped her. "Listen to me first. I’m advising you as a friend, not as your manager. You are the only one supporting your family. Your mother is getting old and can barely run her flower shop properly. And your sister hasn’t graduated yet. With your child’s illness, things are getting worse for you. If you quit now, you can’t meet your family expenses. How are you going to arrange money for your daughter’s treatment?"
Summer opened her mouth yet again, but Kate spoke first.
"Besides, you just got promoted. The salary is satisfying – far better than what you’ll find elsewhere. So don’t think of resigning." Kate slid a folder across the table toward her. "Here. This contains all of Mr. Woods’ preferences and work habits. Go through it properly."
Summer didn’t take the file. She didn’t need it. She knew all about him – his habits, preferences, and mood. This was something she had done in the past.
Her world used to revolve around him. Pleasing him and fulfilling his demands had once been her happiness. But that time was gone. Everything between them had shattered, and she couldn’t do the same again.
What was the point of accepting this position? But still, she needed this job.
"Okay, fine...I won’t resign," she relented. "But let me be here and continue working under you. Being the CEO’s secretary is a huge responsibility. I don’t know if I can give one hundred percent in it. I voluntarily want to step down. Please assign someone else."
"This is not about what you want," Kate said flippantly. "The management team shortlisted the suitable candidates based on performance. Among them, they chose you, and Mr. Lee approved it. If you step down, it will seem like you are rejecting their decision. Don’t do it. You need this more than anyone else here."
Summer fell silent. Every word Kate said was true. But she couldn’t explain the real reason, the fear that was forcing her to step down.
"Don’t overthink." Kate rose from her seat and crossed the room, stepping toward Summer. "Go and do your job. If you think you can’t manage things, come to me. I’ll help you. Okay?"
She took the folder and stuffed it into Summer’s hand. "Go meet him. Maybe you will like working under him. Maybe he will be considerate to you once you talk to him clearly about your situation." The source of this chapter is novelping . com.
Summer said nothing. Gideon might show kindness to others, but not to her.
"Alright. I’ve an important meeting to attend. See you later." Flashing a smile, Kate walked out the door.
Summer stayed rooted there, staring at the floor. A voice from inside whispered, ’You can’t keep running.’
Summer’s expression hardened as she realized there was no way she could escape anymore. Gideon might have learned that she was still alive. There was no place in the world where she could hide. He would find her anyway.
’Running away is not an option now,’ she told herself. ’I need to face him. I have to.’
At Gideon’s office...
Gideon returned to his office after the meeting and sagged into his chair. His eyes burned in exhaustion.
Matthew appeared with a folder in his hand. "Sir," he nodded at Gideon, placing the folder onto the table, "this is everything I found about Miss Summer."
Gideon opened the folder and skimmed through it, his eyes pausing at the name written on the first page. "Summer Wright?" he muttered, a hint of surprise crossing his eyes.
He suddenly realized why he had failed to locate her all those years. Summer had changed her last name.
"Yes," said Matthew. "She has been using her mother’s last name."
Gideon clasped the edge of the folder, irritated. In the past six years, he had struggled every day, every moment, suffering from insomnia, having nightmares every night. He had been looking for her like a madman. And she had been hiding in a different city, with a new identity.
Gideon’s expression tightened further.
"Her family’s condition is not good," Matthew continued. "Her mother’s treatment, her sister’s college fees, and the family expenses are entirely on her. On top of that, her daughter has been diagnosed with blood cancer recently. That part is not in the file. I learned about her daughter from Kate."
Gideon frowned as he looked up at him. "Why? Where is her boyfriend, the man she cheated with? Did he run away, leaving her alone to suffer?" He quirked his lips into a sneer.
Matthew held his gaze steadily. "She is single."