Chapter 43

Chapter 43
Chapter 43

Lena looked up, startled and found a stunning lady standing in the doorway. She wore a skin-tight gown that clung to her curves like silk, accentuating her figure. Her long red hair flowed over her shoulders, giving her an almost ethereal beauty. She looked like an artwork emerging from a painting and just the sight of her, can get anyone hooked.

"You! The girl in the grey pants are you deaf or just ignoring me?" the lady snapped, her tone sharp and raised just enough to draw attention.

Lena blinked in confusion. She hadn’t realized the woman was talking to her. She quickly whispered a goodbye to James and ended the call. He was still trying to explain himself, probably desperate to justify whatever lie he’d told last, but Lena was done with excuses for now. She glanced around the room, trying to figure out who the woman was addressing until it hit her brain. She was the only one wearing grey pants.
Is she talking to me?
Before Lena could fully process the situation, the lady marched over to her desk and slammed her hand down hard, making Lena flinch.
"Are you deaf or just plain stupid?" the woman hissed, her eyes blazing. "Didn't you hear what I just said?"

Lena instinctively leaned back in her seat, trying to make sense of what was happening. Had she accidentally walked into a job as a servant? Why was this woman screaming at her like she was a maid?

Without warning, the lady grabbed a fistful of Lena’s hair and yanked it, trying to drag her to her feet.

That was it.

Lena shot up and shoved her backward. The lady stumbled, nearly losing her balance, but a few nearby workers rushed over just in time to steady her. They had dropped everything they were doing to intervene.

Lena brushed her hair back, ready to glare down the lunatic who’d just grabbed her like she was some kind of servant. But when her eyes finally locked on the woman’s face, her breath caught in her throat and her jaw dropped.

It was Karen Gomez—the owner of super prestigious restaurant ‘Bite Society’ and a media darling, and one of the most beautiful women in the city.

The Gomez name was only one rung below the legendary Tylers in the city’s power ladder. Karen’s father, Tristin Gomez, ran a chain of massive manufacturing companies that made him millions daily. But even with that fortune, his wealth still didn’t touch the empire of Vincent Tyler.

The Gomez name was only one rung below the legendary Tylers in the city’s power ladder. Karen’s father, Tristin Gomez, ran a chain of massive manufacturing companies that made him millions daily. But even with that fortune, his wealth still didn’t touch the empire of Vincent Tyler.
Lena remembered one thing clearly—there had never been a working relationship between the Gomez and Tyler families. The Gomez group had tried repeatedly to form partnerships, but Vincent Tyler always turned them down—without explanation.
“So what the hell was Karen Gomez doing here, barking orders like she owned the place?
Lena was just about to say something—something sharp and cutting—when Karen suddenly froze.
Her eyes locked on Lena’s face and widened in shock.
"Y-you…" she stammered, staring at her like she’d seen a ghost.
Lena raised an eyebrow. Why had she suddenly gone silent? Did she finally realize Lena didn’t work here? Or had she recognized her?
After all, ever since her book hit number one, Lena’s face had become familiar around the city. Her fans were absolutely obsessed with her work.
“How... how are you still alive?” Karen asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lena's brows furrowed deeply. Still alive? What the hell was that supposed to mean?

Before she could ask, the woman who had led her into the room earlier quickly stepped between them, clearly sensing the tension.

She turned to Karen and bowed slightly. “I apologize, ma’am, for not informing you sooner. She’s not a staff member of this company.”

Karen’s frightened expression instantly vanished, replaced with her usual smug demeanor. She folded her arms as if nothing had happened.

“Then what is she doing here?” she demanded coldly, her voice clipped and firm.

“She’s here under the master’s command,” the woman, Rachel answered calmly.

Karen’s expression shifted again, her jaw tightening. Whatever that meant to her, it was clearly significant. But as quickly as her shock appeared, she masked it with indifference.

Without another word or even a hint of an apology, Karen turned on her heel and stormed out of the room like a spoiled queen denied her crown.

Lena scoffed under her breath. “What a brat,” she muttered. “The rich really do think they rule the damn world.”

Rachel turned back to her, wearing a soft, apologetic smile that felt too out of place after what had just happened.

“I’m so sorry for the misunderstanding. She thought you were one of the employees here. Please don’t take it personally.”

But Lena had taken it personally. She was humiliated—and furious. And what made her blood boil more than Karen’s behavior was the arrogant man they all called “boss.” Everything about this company screamed entitlement.

Without a word, she grabbed her purse and walked out, her heels striking the floor with angry purpose. No way in hell was she staying a minute longer in that room after what had happened. She would rather go back to her quiet home, sit in front of her laptop, and lose herself in writing.

Rachel called out behind her, but Lena ignored her and hurried into the elevator, jabbing the button like it owed her something.

When she finally made it to the lobby, she accidentally bumped into one of the staff members. Lena opened her mouth to apologize, but paused when she saw the woman staring at her wide-eyed, stunned, like she’d just seen a ghost.

It was the same look Karen had given her.

What is going on? Lena wondered.

But before she could say a word, the staff member turned and bolted toward the elevator, avoiding her completely.

“That... was weird,” Lena muttered. She brushed it off and headed toward the exit.

Just as she stepped outside, her phone buzzed in her purse. She pulled it out, and a new message flashed across the screen.

> Are you seriously deaf now? Just because that trash you call a book sold well, you think you’re queen of the world?

At the bottom, a hissing emoji glared at her.

Lena scoffed, sweeping the strands of hair from her face. Who the hell does this brat think she is? She didn’t even need to guess only one person could be this petty, it was Sofia,  her cousin.

But before she could type a response, another message popped up:

> Get your ass home this instant if you love your parents' frame. If not, it’ll be in flames—right where it belongs.