From Neglected Wife to CEO’s Obsession novel Chapter 49

Ryan was the perfect assistant—efficient, sharp, and always ready with the facts. “This is Zoey, head of the client relations team,” he explained, cool as ever. “She was up against Ms. Greenwood for the tech director position a while back, but didn’t get it. At the last company party, Zoey tried to toast you, but security stopped her before she could even get close. So it’s only natural you don’t remember her.”

If I wasn’t so good at keeping a straight face, I would’ve cracked up right there.

She lost out on the job, so clearly she wasn’t qualified. Couldn’t even make it into my circle at a party? Says a lot about her status around here.

Ryan’s “explanation” was less about clarification and more about putting Zoey in her place—in front of everyone. And honestly, it was kind of satisfying to watch.

For Zoey, it had to be torture—humiliated, angry, and unable to do a thing about it.

Ryan’s got this international vibe—he grew up overseas—so his Mandarin is fluent, but he’s got this quirky, upbeat lilt at the end of his sentences. It makes everything he says sound ten times more entertaining.

Everyone burst out laughing, even those who’d been gossiping with Zoey just moments before. Vicky was the loudest, not even trying to hide it, doubled over and clutching her stomach.

Zoey’s face, under all that foundation, went from ghostly white to green, then red, and finally this weird shade of purple, like an overripe eggplant. Her features twisted up, like someone had smeared paint all over wet cement—colors and cracks everywhere.

My executive assistant was ruthless with words, never missing a beat. He didn’t need to prep; he just let it fly.

He might’ve just become my favorite person in the room.

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify