The Billionaire Who Saved Me - Chapter 25: Chapter 25

However, I wanted to leave Jennifer a way out, while she was set on putting me to death. I cursed myself inwardly—how foolish could I be?
If Oliver hadn't suddenly jumped out trying to kill me, I would've thought all the grudges had ended.
But reality gave me a resounding slap in the face. Mason was right. Mercy toward the enemy was the cruelest thing to oneself.
Mason narrowed his eyes at me, and guilt made me lower my head. Thankfully, he didn't expose me. Instead, he simply said, "Wrap things up as soon as possible. Then, we move on to the second step of the contract."
At the mention of the contract, I perked up. When we signed it on the yacht, the contents were vague—it only said I had to marry him.
He said, "The contract lasts one year. During the year, help me uncover a secret. Once it's done, you'll get a generous reward."
"I don't want the reward. What secret is it?" I asked, curiosity piqued.
"You'll find out when the time comes. It's still early."
"Alright."
Suddenly, I remembered something crucial and blurted out, "When can I get my identity back?" Living under someone else's name for a lifetime wasn't something I could accept, even if that name was powerful.
Judging from what Oliver did today, his prison term would be fairly long, and he wouldn't be released in just a few years. Even though people know Madeline was still alive, it wouldn't matter.
Mason replied, "After the task is completed. Your original identity is filed away. Switching back won't be a problem."
I nodded, feeling a surge of relief.
"At Knight Manor, you'll have to keep your guard up at all times. The women in the family aren't simple." Mason gave me a sidelong glance, full of disdain, before continuing, "Once you enter that door, you're on your own."
"Are they hard to deal with?" I asked.
He shook his head. "No. They'll treat you better than your own mother ever did. But if you believe it's real, you're in for a very miserable end."
I didn't know why, but whenever Mason mentioned his family, he would always frown, as if the mere thought soured his mood.
But it was gone in a blink. His expression returned to calm as he said, "Starting tomorrow, make your move on Xander. You may not be the sharpest, but your unpredictable attack might actually work in our favor."
I shot him a glare and said, "Do you have to compliment me in such a special way?"
"Oh, don't misunderstand. That wasn't a compliment," he replied.
The next day, as soon as I arrived at the company, I launched my campaign against Xander.
I started by deliberately making things difficult for Heidi. Predictably, she ran straight to Xander to complain, and I followed right behind her.
I caught them red-handed in Xander's office and demanded, "Would you care to explain why my assistant spends her entire day running to you?"
Heidi hadn't expected me to follow her, and with a startled yelp, she darted behind Xander.
Xander, the old fox, didn't look the least bit awkward. Instead, he greeted me warmly. "Ms. Gordon, what perfect timing. Heidi was just saying she made you upset and wanted me to mediate.
"She's a sweet girl, really. Why not cut her some slack for my sake? Heidi, come apologize to Ms. Gordon."
I sneered inwardly. A few honeyed words, and you thought this would be over? Impossible.
I said with a cold face, "Forget it. I can't afford her apology. On paper, she's my assistant, but in practice, she's your informant. I can't keep a betrayer like that around. You might as well take her back."
"Ms. Gordon, what do you mean by that?" Xander asked, his voice still smooth but with a harder edge.
He added, "Heidi's well-liked by everyone in the office. She's never had a problem with any colleague. I don't understand why you always target her. It's only been a few days, and she's already been in tears several times because of your scolding."
What a performance. Playing the victim first, huh?
I retorted, "Talk is cheap. Don't feed me pretty lies to my face while scheming behind my back. I don't fall for those who play angel up front and devil in the shadows."
The words were sharp, no doubt about it. Even someone as calculating as Xander couldn't quite keep his expression in check. He shot back, "Ms. Gordon, a wise person knows not to burn all their bridges."
I raised my eyebrows. "Oh? Is that a threat? Why don't we bring the chairman into this and see what he has to say? You planted someone by my side. What exactly were you trying to do?"
As I spoke, I took out my phone, pretending to dial.
It wasn't an uncommon tactic in corporate circles. The difference was, no one said it out loud.
Xander clearly hadn't expected me to go public with it, to tear off all pretenses in front of the staff.
Predictably, he backed down. He turned to Heidi and said curtly, "You're fired. Now, pack and leave."
Heidi opened her mouth to protest, but a sharp glare from Xander shut her right up. She turned that glare to me instead and then ran off in tears.
Xander turned back to me and asked, "Well, satisfied now, Ms. Gordon? You can pick your own assistant. I won't put myself through thankless tasks more than once."
I said to the employees who gathered around us, "Alright, the show's over. Everyone get back to work. And be careful when you do things. Don't hand people leverage so easily."
The crowd dispersed, though as they walked away, I could feel their stares full of guarded and judgmental glints.
Great, I started this mess trying to embarrass Xander, and somehow I became the one who ended up looking unreasonable.
Xander planted a spy right under my nose, and I came off like the bully? During the first round against Xander, I already took a silent beating. This old fox was way more dangerous than Oliver ever was.
Feeling frustrated and deflated, I headed downstairs to my office. A heavy sense of helplessness washed over me. Maybe everything had been going too smoothly since I came back. I started forgetting my place, thinking I was more capable than I really was.
Still, maybe this was a good thing. Better to stumble early than too late. Mason's words echoed in my mind. "It's not your teachers or friends who make you better—it's your enemies."
If I had one strength, it was this: the harder things got, the more fired up I became.
That morning's humiliation didn't crush me. On the contrary, it lit a fire in my chest. I was itching for round two.
He said I should pick my own assistant. Then I'd pick one myself.
I leapt off the sofa, reapplied my makeup until it was flawless, making sure I looked fresh and radiant, and then strode confidently to the HR department.
Inside, people were chatting—and of course, the topic was me. They were murmuring that I was domineering, throwing my weight around, and something like that.
The moment I walked in, the room went silent. Everyone immediately turned back to their desks, but not one pair of ears stopped listening.
Since they already thought I was domineering, why not live up to their expectations? I walked right up to the HR manager, Carl Cooper, and said, "Post a hiring notice. I'm looking for an assistant. The pay will be very generous."
Mason once told me, "Pay well to keep them loyal."
I figured that if I built a golden palace, surely I'd lure in the perfect person who'd stay loyal to me.
"Alright. Do you have any specific requirements?" Carl asked.
"I want a female," I replied.
"Anything else?"
"If I have to teach you everything, why does the company keep all of you here?" I snapped, then turned and walked out without another word.
It wasn't that I didn't want to elaborate. The truth was, I didn't know what to say. I got married to Oliver right after college and spent three years as a housewife. I had no idea what qualifications to look for in a new hire.