JESSICA'S POV
I stood firmly in front of Dad inside his office.
I finished telling him about what happened last night. I mentioned how Chadrick interrupted what was supposed to be a business meeting with Edison Logistics. Then, after dinner, he picked me up and carried me possessively over his shoulder all the way to his suite.
But I didn't mention the part where I handcuffed Chad and left him half-naked, turning what should have been a passionate night into a complete disaster.
This is the second time I've gone against him. He may have forgiven me before, but I know he won't let it slide so easily this time.
But since Dad didn't seem to know anything about that, the way he nodded in satisfaction when I explained why Stefan Hudson hadn't signed the partnership renewal, I felt relieved that Chad hadn't complained to him yet.
Otherwise, Dad would have scolded me as soon as I walked into his office. Whenever I made a mistake, he always reminded me how they had sheltered me, clothed me, fed me, and given me a good life.
Which makes me wonder...
'Am I really enjoying my life here? Or am I just Dad's puppet?'
Thinking about all this made my heart ache, and the pain spread through my chest.
"Do you know how fortunate you are to be adopted by this family?"
I pressed my lips together as Dad's words echoed in my mind.
He always said I shouldn't be ungrateful, and that the only way to repay their kindness was to follow his wishes without question.
So when he told me I had to sleep with Chad, I didn't have the right to say no.
Good thing, I could still consider that Chad isn't completely awful. Even though being with him can be exhausting, his heat is just something I can hardly keep up with.
'He has no idea I could barely walk the next day!'
Getting my own apartment downtown was the best deal I made with Dad. Whenever I don't feel well because Chad kept me up all night, I just have to come up with an excuse.
"Dad, please send Mr. Shaw to pick me up and drop me at my apartment. I haven't had any sleep yet."
When Dad hears this, he assumes Chad is happy with me. That's the only time he spoils me, giving me a day off and even a little extra money to treat myself.
If I had known earlier that I was Raymond Collins's illegitimate daughter, I would have asked for more from him, since I'm his own flesh and blood.
Then I could have saved more money and opened more branches of my coffee shop in other cities.
That way, I'd have something to rely on if I ever got kicked out of the family.
'One day, I'll break free from all of you.' I murmured in my head.
Swearing to myself, I lifted my gaze and studied my father's features.
Even though he's fifty-five, he still looks young and fit. But I don't really look like him—I take after my mother. Maybe that's why Mrs. Yolanda hates me so much. I remind her of my mother.
Thinking about all this now, I felt the pain in my heart. I pressed my hand to my chest, trying to calm myself, and quickly hid the anger in my eyes as questions started to fill my mind.
Why has Mom allowed herself to become a mistress?
I heard Mom stopped performing on stage after she got pregnant. Now, I think I'm starting to understand more about what happened back then.
'I shouldn't judge my mom yet. There must be a reason why all of this happened.'
I almost hate my mom for her choices, but I realize I'm not so different from her.
My situation isn't much better. I have no choice but to be involved with my sister's rumored fiancé.
Honestly, I didn't feel much when I found out Raymond Collins was my real father. But I couldn't help but question him in my mind.
How could he emotionally abandon me?
He is present in my life, but he only sees me as a bargaining chip for his ambitions.
Now that he's at the top, he hasn't stopped there. To ensure that he didn't just give me to one man—he pushed me toward another, just to keep his position.
"Father, if nothing else, I wish to return to my office."
"Alright. We have an important client at ten o'clock. Make sure to welcome them to the lobby and escort them to the conference room."
"Noted, father." Jessica nodded, turned on her heel, and walked toward the door. She glanced back, a flash of hatred in her eyes, before turning the knob and leaving.
Jessica went back to her small office and opened her laptop. As soon as it started up, she saw several emails and private messages from her social media accounts. She checked them one by one, sorting out the business emails before replying to her social messages.
Most of the messages were from Stefan, asking her to accept his friend request. Even on her private Instagram, he kept pestering her to follow him back.
Jessica chuckled. She was supposed to be the one begging him. But their reasons were different—while she only wanted to talk about their partnership, she knew Stefan wanted something else from her.
~
Dear Mr. Stefan Hudson,
I am writing to inform you that I have reviewed your messages. It would be a pleasure to connect with you on social media. However, I would prefer to continue our communication via email, so I can keep a record of our negotiations.
Regards,
Jessica Collins
Head Secretary
~
Jessica sent Stefan a formal email, thinking he was probably busy with work. She didn't expect him to reply right away.
However, she was wrong.
Jessica took a sip from her mug and almost spat her coffee onto her laptop. She had only sent the email three minutes ago, but Stefan replied instantly, and his response wasn't what she expected.
~
Greetings, Miss Collins!
Since you prefer email for our communication, I will negotiate with you here then.
[photo attached]
I hope this is sufficient qualification to be your lover.
Sincerely,
Stefan Hudson
EDISON LOGISTICS CEO
EDISON ENTERPRISE CHAIR OF THE BOARD
HUDSON TECH CO-FOUNDER
HUDSON MOTORS CO-OWNER
~
Jessica choked at what she see. She kept coughing and had to drink an entire bottle of mineral water to ease the burned in her throat.
Stefan didn't just send her a letter. He also attached a photo of himself posing in front of a mirror in his fancy bathroom, wearing nothing but a bath towel fastened around his waist.
"What are you thinking, Mr Hudson!"
She replied to the email, feeling both angry and embarrassed.