The CEO's Evil Wife

Chapter 4 | Behind Closed Door

Veronica leaned over the polished surface of James's desk, a series of meticulously laid out documents is in front of them. Her voice was steady as she explained the new project she had proposed, detailing each aspect with precision, hoping her ideas would finally bring about the breakthrough the company needed. The London office had been her proving ground, but this—this was her chance to show her true value back at the main office. James, however, was distracted, flipping through the pages in front of him with an absent-minded air.

“You’re not listening, James,” Veronica said, her tone sharp, the edge of frustration creeping in.

James paused, lowering the documents, his brow furrowing slightly. “I am listening, Veronica. I’m just trying to process everything. There’s a lot going on right now.”

“Which is why we need to make the decision now,” she replied, her patience thinning. “We can’t afford to wait, not with the competition moving faster than us. The merger with Klyne Technologies should’ve been settled last month, and now we’re talking about a delay? That’s a mistake.”

James sat back, interlacing his fingers, his expression thoughtful but tinged with irritation. “I understand your point, but this proposal isn’t just about moving quickly. It’s about being strategic, something we can’t rush.”

“I’m not asking you to rush,” Veronica retorted. “I’m asking you to act. Delays cost money, James. We need to stay ahead.”

James sighed, the tension in his shoulders evident as he dropped his hands to his sides. “Veronica, I get it. But we also need to be careful not to overextend ourselves. We can’t push every project forward at once.”

She could feel her patience slipping, but she held back. It was always like this—James wanted to consider every possible angle before making a move, while she was ready to strike while the iron was hot. They had never quite been on the same page, and it seemed the gap was only widening.

Before she could respond, there was a knock at the door, interrupting their heated exchange. Veronica’s gaze flicked to James, her eyes narrowing slightly. He held her gaze for a brief moment before nodding toward the door.

“Come in.”

The door opened, and Sarah stepped inside, a tray of coffee cups in her hands. She didn’t notice Veronica sitting across from James, her attention focused on the tray she was carrying. Veronica’s eyes flickered to James for a moment, before returning to Sarah as she entered, her expression unreadable.

James, however, did not seem taken aback. He gave Sarah a pleasant smile as she approached his desk. “Thank you, Sarah,” he said, his tone warm, though his attention was split between the coffee and Veronica.

“I’ve brought you your coffee, Mr. Morgan,” Sarah said with a soft smile, placing the tray down on the edge of his desk.

It was then that Sarah noticed Veronica’s presence, her smile faltering slightly. She looked at James, unsure of how to proceed. “Oh, I didn’t realize Mrs. Morgan was here,” Sarah murmured, her cheeks flushing a faint shade of pink.

Veronica’s lips tightened into a polite, cool, smile as she glanced up. “It’s alright, Sarah,” she said, her tone smooth. “I was just going over some matters with James.”

James cleared his throat, feeling the subtle tension in the room. "Thank you, Sarah. You can leave it here. I’ll take it in a moment."

But before Sarah could take a step, Veronica’s sharp voice halted her. "Actually, why don’t you stay for a moment?"

Sarah paused, her back still turned to them, but the uncertainty in her posture was unmistakable. She glanced at James for direction, seeking approval to leave.

James, however, kept his gaze on Veronica, unaware of the silent exchange between them. “I said it's fine,” he added, but there was an edge to his voice, a slight tension he couldn’t quite mask. He'd already told her to go.

Veronica smiled sweetly, leaning back in her chair with an almost playful glint in her eyes. "I think it would be better if you stayed, Sarah." Her tone was sweet but firm. "I could really use a cup of coffee right now. Why don’t you fetch it for me?"

Sarah hesitated, her eyes flickering toward James once more. She had been trained to always respect his authority, and this wasn’t the first time she'd faced a situation where she had to make a choice between her personal loyalties and professional boundaries. But there was something in Veronica’s calm demeanor that made Sarah feel... small, in that moment.

Veronica, sensing her hesitation, couldn't help but laugh softly. "You know, Sarah," she said, her voice sweet but cutting, "I'm a boss here too. So, I’ll take that coffee now, please."

The mockery in her tone wasn’t lost on Sarah, and she shifted uncomfortably. She glanced at James once again, hoping he would step in and absolve her of this request. But instead, James’s gaze was focused on the paperwork in front of him, his fingers tapping absently. It was clear he wasn’t going to interfere.

Sarah, swallowing her unease, gave a slight nod. "Of course, Mrs. Morgan." She turned on her heel, quickly retreating from the office, the door closing softly behind her.

Veronica watched her go, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "Isn’t it nice, James?" she murmured, her eyes flickering up to meet his. "When everyone knows their place?"

James didn’t respond immediately, but his fingers stilled on the desk, the silence between them thickening. He cleared his throat, uncomfortable with the sudden shift in power dynamics. "Let’s just focus on the work," he said, avoiding her gaze.

—

Sarah walked down the hallway, her footsteps quick and deliberate, the uncertainty still gnawing at her. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted the moment she entered the room. Veronica’s sudden command for her to stay, followed by the sharp, mocking tone when she asked for coffee—it all felt so off.

She reached the bathroom door, pushing it open and stepping inside, the cool air of the restroom offering her a brief moment of relaxation. She leaned against the sink, her reflection staring back at her with the same questions that had been swirling in her mind. Why had Mrs. Morgan treated her that way?

The quiet hum of the fluorescent lights overhead seemed almost too loud as she wiped her hands on a paper towel, staring into the mirror. She could feel her pulse quicken. Was Veronica... jealous? That thought gnawed at her. She hadn’t done anything to provoke such a response—she was simply doing her job, after all.

She had been James’s secretary for months, and of course, that meant they spent a lot of time together. They discussed work, shared countless emails, and exchanged ideas on how to make the office run more smoothly. But that was it. She wasn’t some ambitious, scheming woman vying for his attention. She was just doing her job.

And yet, Veronica had treated her as if she were an intruder—someone who had no right to even exist in the same space as her husband.

Is this what it’s like? Sarah thought bitterly. To be constantly scrutinized, even when you’re just being professional?

The thought lingered, leaving her with a tight knot in her stomach. She knew that James didn’t see her the way Veronica might think. He was her boss. And she? She was just an employee, doing what was expected of her. She hadn’t crossed any lines—she hadn’t even tried to.

But Veronica had heard the whispers, hadn’t she? The rumors that had circulated around the office. The ones about her and James. She had seen how they worked together, how they had a rapport that made things run smoothly. But that was just work. Nothing more.

Sarah sighed, pressing her hands to her face, trying to calm her racing thoughts. No one in this office is allowed to be close to him but her, huh? She hated the way the thought made her stomach churn. Was she the only one who could see how ridiculous it all was? She was his secretary, for God’s sake. Of course, she was close to James in a professional sense—everyone was!

Veronica, oh, Veronica.