Chapter 49 Chapter 50
In preparation for her breakfast, Marlie readied herself and proceeded downstairs. She needed food to patiently await the afternoon news with joy.
In the hallway, Marlie noticed Vien and offered her a displeased smile. She had not forgotten what Vien had said to her the previous night. However, Marlie remained unsettled by the news that Vien had for her instead.
In the dining room, the three Baristanas sat eagerly awaiting breakfast. Audrey felt compelled to inquire of her brother, "Did they transfer Carolina to my department per your instructions?" Chad nodded, confirming the transfer.
She couldn't understand why Chad had moved Carolina to another department. Carolina was not lazy but rather efficient. "So, why the transfer?" Audrey, still behaving like the brat she was raised to be, raised her voice at her brother, seeking an answer.
She didn't need to yell, but she was correct in her actions. Chad may be the CEO of the company, but she was also a part of the same company, specifically a shareholder. Therefore, Chad was expected to explain the personnel change, especially when it came to her department, the finance department.
"So, who will be your new secretary then?" Audrey asked, patiently awaiting Chad's response. However, as usual, he didn't feel like explaining to his sister. He always speaks when he wants to and keeps quiet when he doesn't want to, no matter what the person might be.
Marlie joined the table at that moment and realised the tension in the air. She didn't have to greet them, as they wouldn't respond anyway.
Marlie herself was struggling with how to act around Chad after what had happened between them. So why should she draw attention to her arrival?
She just sat quietly, and the servant served her breakfast while Audrey continued to look at her brother, anticipating an explanation, but he remained indifferent.
"After breakfast, we are going to the company, so hurry up," Chad said, glancing briefly in Marlie's direction. He also didn't know how to face Charlie(Marlie) or address what had occurred between them.
Marlie had no idea what was happening until she noticed their gazes fixed upon her. She raised her head, and realizing that the command was directed at her, she pointed to herself in disbelief. "Me..?"
Marlie questioned, surprised. Wasn't Chad the one who had said he wouldn't allow her into the company? Why had he changed his mind? She shook her head. Perhaps she had misheard.
"Yes, you!" Chad confirmed, shocking both mother and daughter, as well as Marlie.
Marlie's shock quickly turned to happiness, but she remained composed and whispered to herself, "Ah... yes, my plan is working. Who would have thought Mr. Stiff gets jealous so easily!"
"What?!!!"
Both the mother and daughter exclaimed in perfect synchronization. Marlie got startled at first, thinking they had heard her say that but noticed it was because of Chad's decision.
Silvia maintained a stunned gaze towards her son while Audrey took charge of the questioning. "What exactly will she be doing there?" She interrogated, casting a glance at Marlie, who responded with a victorious smirk.
Chad answered with indifference towards his sister, "She will assume the role of my new secretary!".
"No way!" Audrey burst out at Chad, who sat unfazed by the commotion surrounding him. And Silvia? She didn't dare utter a word.
Audrey couldn't believe her ears. "Are you seriously bringing her along too? No! I refuse to accept this, Chad." Pausing her rant, she shifted her focus to Silvia, who sat directing daggers at Marlie.
"Mom, say something!"
Audrey looked at her mother, hoping she would object to Chad's decision.
Silvia, however, received a warning in the form of a wicked smile from Marlie. So she composed herself, suppressing her anger, as she replied,
"As the CEO, he has the authority to employ whoever he deems fit, which all of us should accept." Silvia delivered her speech, never breaking her gaze from the cunning woman who had become her daughter-in-law, yet she could sense the suspicious glances her children directed at her.
If it were only Audrey, Silvia would have no explanation to give, but her son was not going to accept that she readily agreed to his decision without putting up a fight.
Chad knew his decision would come at a cost. Was it not surprising that his mother yielded so easily?
"We must quell the scandalous rumors, right? I am simply trying to salvage our reputation." With that, Silvia forced a fake smile in her son's direction before excusing herself from the table.
Given the circumstances, she'd rather not sit there and endure Marlie's smirking face, which only served to aggravate her during breakfast.
Filled with anger, Audrey pushed back her chair and stormed away from the table, leaving the couple behind.
The dining table suddenly became awkward. The couple couldn't even bring themselves to meet each other's gaze now.
Chad avoided looking at Marlie because what could he possibly say? How would he even begin the conversation?
Meanwhile, Marlie was torn between whether or not she should confront Chad about the past memories that resurfaced.
Chad's cold and distant demeanor didn't help the situation, and Marlie seemed as if her chair couldn't contain her petite body.
Chad maintained a rigid and detached attitude, solely focusing on his food.
Once he finished, he briskly stated, "You have a mere ten minutes to prepare. I will be waiting for you in the study." and promptly left the room as if he was being chased by a ghost.
This allowed Vien to approach Marlie. She couldn't keep the news any longer. "I need to urgently share something with you," Vien informed Marlie with a worried expression.
Despite Marlie's lingering annoyance towards Vien, she found herself in need of Vien's assistance when it came to selecting an appropriate office dress.
Being the boss's wife, she couldn't afford to give off the wrong impression on her first day. Thus, she swiftly led Vien to the bedroom.
Upon entering the room, Marlie didn't consider the news to be particularly significant. What mattered more to her was how to handle their awkward situation and her upcoming work at the company.
Marlie grappled with the decision of what to wear, much to Vien's horror. "Who in the world would wear something like this?" Marlie exclaimed in frustration, clearly revealing her exasperation through her choice of attire.
Vien attempted to placate her, as the news at hand was rather distressing, and she thought Marlie needed to maintain her composure before hearing it.
However, Marlie's irritation only grew as she examined the clothing options. "I absolutely can't wear these clothes to the office! What kind of impression do you expect people to have of me? Charlie, Oh my dear sister... What a housewife material you were!" Marlie angrily declared, discarding the garments in frustration.
Unbeknownst to her, Chad stood near the doorway, his irritation mounting as he observed the disorder in the room.
"Is she really a woman? No way! How can a woman create such chaos?" Chad scoffed irritably. The only person aware of his presence was Vien, who discreetly signaled Marlie about Chad's presence, prompting her to control her anger.
"You should go shopping first." Chad declared before leaving the room and leaving the two women alone.
Marlie felt embarrassed as she surveyed the mess she had made. She sat on the bed.
Now composed, it was time to hear the news.
"You mentioned you have news for me, correct? Tell me," Marlie inquired of Vien, and the woman proceeded to deliver the unfortunate news she had for Marlie.
"Spark is aware that you are an imposter," Vien said worriedly.
"What?!!!, Damn it! How did he find out?!" Marlie began to feel a sense of fear.
"You gave yourself away, Marlie, and that's not the worst part..." Vien paused momentarily, seemingly awaiting Marlie's response.
"What do you mean, nanny?" Marlie asked, her voice laced with fear.
"He knows who you truly are. He knows that you're Marlie."
Marlie recoiled in shock. What? Spark knows it's her? How is that even possible? When did this happen?
"I had to tell him yesterday because he seemed ready to share his suspicion with Chad?" Vien explained. "But he didn't take it well, I guess, as he stormed out of this house irrespective of the reasons I presented him."
"Nanny, what will happen now? What if he tells Chad? No, I have to leave now!" Marlie exclaimed, turning to pack her belongings, while Vien desperately tried to reason with her.
Vien believed Marlie should confess the truth to Chad before Spark had the chance to do so, as Vien was certain Chad might forgive her due to his love for her.
"Marlie, you need to go and tell Chad right away, please. It may not turn out as bad as we think, Marlie, please."
Marlie shook her head in disagreement. She couldn't decipher what Vien was trying to tell her. With the notion of Chad hating her, she knew that he would imprison her if he found out.
"No, I must depart immediately."
Vien, feeling frustrated, shouted, "Marlie!..."
halting Marlie in her tracks. Marlie gazed up at Vien with a combination of fear and tears.
"Things will not end unfavorably, so I implore you to go and speak with him now. Please, let him learn the truth from your own lips."
Vien persuaded Marlie, who now had tears streaming down her face. She longed to believe Vien despite the fear that caused her to tremble.
"Go, my child. Don't worry!"
Vien wiped away Marlie's tears and gestured towards the direction she should take. At least, Marlie's fear subsided a little, and she gained the confidence to face everything now.
It was not like she could tell her mind to Chad. Just that there is a certain spot in her heart that hurts at the thought of him hating her so much, or better still, leaving her side.
Come what may, she had to tell Chad. Marlie took a step calmly, only to be halted once more by an incoming call from a contact, 'Spark.'
She picked up the call immediately in a trembling manner, and Spark's voice rang through the receiver.
"I'm in front of your house. Is Chad in his study now? Excellent, because I'm going to expose you!"