Chapter 29
After her visit to the Hart Group, Elsie became more determined than ever about the Sunny Bay Project. She stayed late at the office, often working into the night, earning praise for her dedication. Meanwhile, after Myra’s demotion, she found herself relegated to Elsie’s assistant.
Myra understood that this was Sean’s way of making her life miserable, punishing her for the past. Eve was furious, but Myra accepted it with a calm resolve.
“Photocopy these documents for me. Rearrange the data and bring them to me when you’re done. And Myra, do you even know how to make coffee? You’re supposed to add sugar, you know. Remember, you’re just an assistant now, so stop acting like you’re still in charge. You’re so slow—are you planning to just take your salary without doing any work?”
Myra took the folders from Elsie, gripping them tightly. She said nothing, silently heading to the photocopying machine.
Tilly, who had been watching, approached her, her face flushed with indignation. “Miss Stark, you were the one who designed the Sunny Bay Project. How can Elsie take all the credit now?”
Myra lowered her gaze, her voice quiet as she replied, “Tilly, don’t say things like that.”
“But Miss Stark…” Tilly protested. “You’re so talented! Even if you weren’t with the Chase Group, you’d still do well elsewhere. Why let Elsie treat you like this? Is it just for the Sunny Bay Project?”
“Something like that,” Myra responded vaguely.
At this moment, the Sunny Bay Project felt like the only thing keeping her life from falling apart. Eve had told her how crucial the project was for the Chase Group’s new venture into real estate, and Myra felt driven to make up for her guilt.
The photocopy machine hummed as it printed out sheets, the scent of fresh ink heavy in the air. Myra’s mind wandered as she stared at the documents in front of her.
Later that afternoon, Elsie, dressed in seductive Chanel workwear and heavy makeup, had Myra drive her to the Hart Group’s office for a meeting.
Though Elsie knew Myra drove a white BMW Z4, she sneered as she got into the car. “I wonder which man you slept with to get that car,” she muttered under her breath.
Myra pretended not to hear her.
When they reached the Hart Group building, Elsie paused at the elevator. “Myra, you don’t need to come to the meeting with the Hart Group today. Wait for me at a café outside. I’ll call you when I’m done.”
Myra was stunned. “M-Miss Foster, I’m also part of the Sunny Bay Project—”
“That’s in the past,” Elsie interrupted, not even looking at her. “You’re just an assistant now. Don’t embarrass us in front of the Hart Group. We can’t let them think we’re taking this project lightly.”
Myra’s fists clenched at her sides, but she kept her expression neutral. “But if the design needs revisions—”
“As your superior, don’t you think I can handle it?” Elsie replied, her tone dripping with disdain.
The elevator doors opened, and Elsie sauntered in, her hips swaying as she disappeared into the lift, leaving Myra standing there, her heart sinking.
Sean knew exactly how to torment her. He had put her under Elsie’s command, fully aware of how the two of them clashed.
Myra sighed bitterly, turning to leave the building.
Upstairs, Elsie checked her makeup in the reflection of the elevator doors. She walked out with a confident air, fully expecting the Sunny Bay Project to be hers.
As she entered the conference room, she greeted Leo, Tony’s trusted right-hand man, with a smile. “Mr. Clark, when will Director Hart be finished with his meeting?”
Before Leo could answer, he noticed that Elsie had come alone. He raised an eyebrow. “Miss Foster, where is Miss Stark? She isn’t here today?”
“Oh, her?” Elsie waved it off casually. “She’s busy with other projects now, so she won’t be involved in the Sunny Bay Project anymore.”
Leo was surprised, but before he could respond, he rushed into the meeting room to check on Director Hart’s schedule.
Meanwhile, Tony sat at the head of the conference table, smoking a cigarette. He stared at the curling smoke, his expression unreadable.
Later that evening, Myra received a call from a stranger, which she answered thinking it was from Tony. But instead, the voice on the other end was a woman calling for ‘Shawn.’
Myra had given Tony Shawn’s number that morning, thinking it was for a friend, but now she understood. Her heart sank as she processed the fact that Tony had listened to her conversation with the woman, leading to his jealousy.
Tony chuckled darkly to himself, the cigarette burning out as he reflected on the situation. He had no intention of allowing someone to come between him and his feelings for Myra.
Leo quickly returned, entering the room with urgency. “Director Hart, Miss Foster from the Chase Group mentioned that Miss Stark will not be involved with the Sunny Bay Project moving forward.”
Tony’s face hardened. “Why?”
Leo hesitated. “Uh… it seems she’s busy with other projects now…”
“Busy?” Tony’s eyes narrowed as his lips curled into a mocking smile. “Do they honestly think they can replace her with someone like Elsie and still get this project?”
The tension in the room thickened, and Tony’s anger became palpable.
Meanwhile, Elsie, back at the Chase Group, slammed a design draft against her desk in frustration. She was surrounded by colleagues, but her eyes were narrowed with fury. “Myra, the company gave you everything, and this is how you repay us? If you had problems with me, you should have taken it out on me directly! You know how important the Sunny Bay Project is, and you’re sabotaging it!”
Elsie’s words echoed in Myra’s mind as she steeled herself for the storm ahead.