"Come to my office and tell me what all this fuss is about."
Claire’s lips curved into a smile. It was a beautiful smile, a practiced one. The kind reserved for cameras, business partners, and people she couldn’t stand.
Katherine returned it with one of her own.
To outsiders, they looked like old friends catching up after years apart.
Only they knew the truth.
They had been rivals since college. Not the loud, screaming kind of rivals. The dangerous kind. The kind who competed with elegance. Who smiled while secretly keeping score.
Back then, they competed for everything...
The title of campus belle, the most talented, the academic recognition and social influence.
Even the men who pursued them.
Whenever Claire won, Katherine would find a way to surpass her.
Whenever Katherine gained attention, Claire would steal the spotlight back.
Years had passed since graduation, yet neither woman had ever truly accepted defeat.
Katherine was bold, outspoken, and fiercely competitive. She enjoyed being the center of attention and had the confidence to command an entire room.
Claire was no different.
Both women possessed strong personalities, sharp intelligence, and enough pride to start a war over the smallest slight.
Then there was Kristine. The complete opposite of both of them.
She never fought for attention. Never sought admiration.
She was gentle where they were aggressive, quiet where they were loud, kind where they were calculating.
Ironically, those very qualities were what made Morgan fall hopelessly in love with her.
After graduation, their paths diverged.
Claire climbed the corporate ladder and secured a prestigious position of Marketing Director at Aioryx.
Katherine entered the modeling industry, where her beauty and charisma quickly gained recognition.
Kristine chose a quieter life, becoming a full-time wife and mother.
Yet somehow, fate kept pulling Claire and Katherine back into each other’s orbit.
...
The two entered Claire’s office.
The spacious room reflected its owner perfectly—elegant, expensive, and meticulously organized.
Claire settled behind her desk like a queen taking her throne.
Katherine lowered herself into the chair opposite her, crossing one leg over the other with effortless grace.
For a moment, neither spoke. Each waiting for the other to blink first.
"I bet you still don’t know about the newly hired executive assistant."
Claire arched an eyebrow.
"What about it?" she asked dismissively. "That’s hardly news. Aioryx hires a new EA almost every month."
A soft laugh escaped her lips.
"The boss is impossible to please. Most of them don’t survive beyond a few weeks. Only Cindy Stone managed to stay."
Katherine’s smile deepened.
The expression immediately put Claire on guard.
It was the smile Katherine wore whenever she held a winning card.
"This one is different."
Claire’s fingers paused against the armrest. The she inspected the freshly applied nail art on her fingers.
"Oh?"
"It was Morgan who personally recommended her."
The change in Claire’s expression was nearly imperceptible.
Nearly.
But Katherine caught it. And enjoyed it.
"She’s beautiful," Katherine continued casually. "And she happens to be the wet nurse of my twin niece and nephew."
Claire’s eyes narrowed.
For the first time since entering the office, she was fully paying attention.
Katherine leaned forward slightly. Then delivered the final blow.
"And she’s currently staying at my brother-in-law’s house."
Silence filled the room.
Claire’s pleasant expression cracked for a fraction of a second.
A tiny fracture. But enough.
Katherine almost smiled.
She knew exactly where to strike.
Everyone in their circle knew Claire had a crush on Morgan for years.
A foolish, hopeless unrequited love.
And now another woman had entered Morgan’s orbit. A young, beautiful woman living under the same roof.
As Katherine watched Claire’s expression darken, satisfaction curled inside her chest.
Claire had no personal grudge against the new assistant.
But if Isobel’s presence could become a thorn in Claire’s heart...
Then perhaps Claire could become the blade Katherine needed.
After all, enemies were useful.
Especially when they didn’t realize they were being used.
"Why are you telling me this?" Claire asked, her voice laced with concern that sounded almost genuine.
"Shouldn’t you be the one worried? If this woman succeeds in seducing the boss, it’s your sister who stands to lose the most."
Her expression remained sympathetic.
Inside, however, an entirely different thought crossed her mind.
And if Morgan divorces Kristine... perhaps I finally have a chance.
The possibility was shameful. Yet after all these years, she still couldn’t completely extinguish the feelings she harbored for her boss.
Katherine merely smiled.
A calm, confident smile that immediately irritated Claire.
"Morgan loves my sister," she said softly. "Far more than anyone realizes."
Then she leaned back in her chair.
"No matter what happens, Kristine will always be his wife."
The certainty in her voice was unmistakable. It sounded less like a declaration and more like a warning.
A warning directed at the woman sitting across from her.
Their gazes met. For a brief moment, neither bothered to hide what lay beneath the surface.
Jealousy. Resentment. Old wounds that had never fully healed.
Claire lowered her eyes first. Not out of surrender. But to conceal the flash of malice that had surfaced in them.
She knew Katherine’s secret. Just as Katherine knew hers.
Both of them had once loved the same man.
The difference was that Claire had lost to Kristine. But Katherine had lost to her own sister who looked like her but duller.
The irony was almost laughable.
The two women had spent years competing against each other for everything under the sun. Yet in the end, neither of them got the prize they wanted.
Morgan had chosen Kristine.
...
A sharp knock interrupted the tense silence.
The office door opened.
"Miss Landers."
A young woman stood at the entrance.
She had soft curls framing a cute round face, giving her an approachable and youthful appearance. Despite her gentle features, her posture remained professional and attentive.
"There is a board meeting scheduled in ten minutes. All directors are required to attend."
Claire’s expression instantly returned to its polished corporate mask.
The hostility vanished. The jealousy disappeared.
The elegant executive of Aioryx had returned.
"I’ll be there shortly."
The secretary bowed her head and stepped aside.
Claire rose from her chair. The movement was smooth and graceful, like a queen rising from her throne.
She picked up the tablet from her desk before turning toward Katherine.
"I have to go, Katie."
The familiar nickname rolled off her tongue effortlessly. As if they were the closest of friends.
"Please coordinate with Resty regarding the schedule for the next product advertisement."
"Of course," Katherine replied with a pleasant smile.
Another lie. Another performance.
The two women exchanged one final look.
A smile from Claire. A smile from Katherine.
Both flawless. Both fake.
Then Claire turned and walked out of the office.
The rhythmic click of her heels echoed through the hallway as she gracefully swayed her hips, every step radiating confidence and authority.
Only after the door closed behind her did Katherine’s smile disappear.
Her eyes turned cold.
"Always so arrogant," she muttered.
Meanwhile, outside the office, Claire’s expression was no better.
"Katherine..." she whispered under her breath.
The corners of her lips curled into a faint sneer.