He Cheated With His Intern, Then Found Out I’m CEO novel
Out of sympathy, I chose to prepare a special lunchbox for him on his birthday. I dedicated the entire morning to the kitchen, meticulously making each dish.
Xavier was thrilled when I brought it to him, and after a few bites, he couldnt resist leaning over to kiss me on the cheek.
Unfortunately, an unfamiliar intern happened to walk in right at that moment.
She said, Sorry to interrupt, but the look she gave me was off, almost assessing.
I didnt think much of it at the time.
I should have.
Then, not long after, the new intern went online and hung me out to dry.
[What a shameless slut! Shes even carrying another mans child and still comes to the office to seduce my husband. Shes been pregnant for months and not working. Must be desperate and lonely at home. No wonder shes desperate for attention. Whos this Vivian Summers husband in the photo? Your wife is cheating on you, did you know? Come get her.]
Staring at a candid shot of meGod knows where she found itnow stamped with a big 'slut' label, I let out a half-smile and dialed my husband's number.
I hear youve got yourself an intern wife? Xavier, youre fired."
Xavier picked up in a second.
He still appeared to be at his desk; sharp keystrokes echoed in the background.
Vivian? Whats wrong? he asked, voice tight with concern.
I didnt answer right away. Instead, my eyes stayed on Ysabelles posts, the intern who had posted about me.
If the finance team hadnt just given me the girls social handle, I wouldnt have even known someone like this was right under my nose.
Every line in her Instagram stories oozed a gold-diggers superiority. Even her profile motto read: 'Marry a rich man.'
Only when Xavier started to sound anxious, asking over and over what had happened, did I speak, unhurried.
That intern you hired, Ysabelle Lawson. I ran into her at the office today, I said, keeping my tone steady.
I didnt bring up the photos directly.
I simply forwarded a screenshot of her Instagram to him, including her little motto: Marry a rich man.
Your little intern barged into your office at lunch without knocking. Then, before the workday was even over, she turned around and posted me online, saying I was seducing you, I added, the words cool as glass.
There was a pause on the other end, a few seconds of stunned silence.
When he spoke, Xaviers voice had gone low, the anger tamped down but audible.
Vivian, dont worry. Ill take care of Yssa, he said.
And how exactly are you going to handle it? I asked with a soft laugh, my hand drifting, without thinking, to my rounded belly.
Because I was five or six months pregnant, Xavier had been considerate of how difficult it was for me to get around. He told me to stop running back and forth to the office and rest at home.
Today was only an exception, because it was his birthday, and I wanted him to taste my cooking again, to have something warm from home.
And yet that small gesture had brought on a storm of gossip.
Just moments ago, I saw that the post had already hit the hot search. Following the thread, I clicked on Ysabelles social media account.
The comments were filling up with people who knew nothing about the situation.
Some people cursed me without knowing anything.
Some asked, Which company has such a blind boss?
I scrolled through Ysabelle's page again. The latest post, taken half an hour ago, was a selfie taken downstairs at our company.
The caption read: [Work hard, get closer to your goal.]
The location tag was unmistakably the address of Xaviers company.
How blatant.
She might as well have displayed a banner saying she was Ysabelle Lawson and that this was her workplace.
And she says youre her husband. Id like to know how you intend to look at that? I asked, letting the question hang.
There was a loud thud on the other end, as if something had been slammed onto his desk.
Xavier took a deep breath and said, Vivian, shes just a young girl. She doesnt know any better. Yssa made a mistake before, and I thought Id taught her a lesson. I didnt think she would cross the line again.
Dont worry. If she cant handle this properly, Ill have her pack up and get out immediately, Xavier said, his assurance firm, every word hammered into place.
At that, the corner of my mouth lifted.
Even after all this, he still wanted to keep that intern?
Just then, a faint cramp pinched my belly. My baby seemed to sense my mood and gave a gentle kick.
Steeling myself, I said evenly, Xavier, I can let it go that she spread rumours about me. But she called the child in my belly a bastard.
I drew a tighter breath and added, You know me. I cant tolerate being wronged. And I certainly wont allow my child to be insulted for no reason.
On his end, I heard him spring to his feet; the chair legs screeched across the floor with a harsh scrape.
Babe, dont be upset, he said quickly. Its not worth it in your condition. Where are you? Ill come to you right now.
No need, I cut him off, my tone cool and controlled. Shes a new internyoung and bound to make mistakes. Just make sure she understands that youre my husband, not someone she can toy with.
He agreed without hesitation. Alright, Vivian. Anyone who bullies you or our child, I wont let them off. Ill have Finance settle things with the company and tell that intern to leave.
Just firing her isnt enough, I said, glancing at the wedding photo hanging on the wall, the frame glinting in the light.
Xavier, I want you to handle this cleanly. Make that intern post a clarification, apologize to me across the entire internet, and fire her.
I softened nothing as I finished, I dont want to see anything like this happen again.
He swore he would take care of it.
However, about half an hour later, my phone lit up with a call from Ysabelle Lawson.
Vivian, what the hell is wrong with you? she snapped without preamble. You damn bitch! You think you can have my husband fire me? Just because your familys got a bit of filthy money? Dont act like I dont know who you are! My husband works for your company, but hes not your familys slave! If you keep pushing him, dont blame me when I set the whole internet on you! That post earlier? That was just a warning. Next time, you better watch out, or your bastard child might not be so lucky
I waited until she ran out of steam.
Then, keeping my voice like ice, I said, Do you really not know that phones have call recording? Yssa, I held my tongue because youre an intern. I wasnt going to stoop to your level. But now, thats different. Youve hurled baseless insults at me and my child. I can have a lawyer pursue your legal liability.
She didnt sound the least bit afraid.
If anything, her tone turned mocking.
Oh, Im so scared Please, for an old woman like you, youre awfully confident. My husband already said hell protect me no matter what! As for you, just wait for the mob to tear you apart.
When the line went dead, my chest rose and fell, a slow ripple of breath.
It had been years since Id encountered someone this outrageous.
I was just about to call Xavier to ask how things were progressing when, all at once, the work group chat exploded.
Yssa had started a barrage of messages. One after another, she posted long, flowery paragraphs. The gist, she claimed, was that the uproar online was all a misunderstanding.
[That day, I had just broken up with my boyfriend. He left me for another woman, and I was too emotional. Thats why I said what I said online. As for that candid photo of Vivian Summers, I didnt even know it was you. I thought it was just some random picture I downloaded online Im really sorry for the harm this has caused you, Vivian.]
Scrolling down, I found Yssas apology strikingly sincere.
Even so, the dissonance jarred me. I couldnt reconcile this meek, contrite voice with the woman who had just screamed at me over the phone.
With a few weightless lines, she had brushed herself clean of blame.
I drew a long breath.
Fine, I murmured to myself.
I had no intention of sparring endlessly with a young girl.
So, I chalked it up as a small hiccup in life and let it go.
...
The next day, however, reality snapped back.
I recalled removing my bracelet and leaving it in Xaviers office, so I asked the driver to pick it up. However, at the company entrance, I discovered that my fingerprint and facial recognition access had been deactivated.
It was absurd.
My own company, and I no longer even had the right to enter.
So, I pulled out my phone and called Xavier.
Whats going on? Did you reset the building access? I asked, trying to keep my tone even.
He didnt answer.
Instead, I heard a rustle, and then a mans low, muffled grunt.
Only after he let out a long breath did he fumble up the call.
Vivian, what did you say? Ive been busy. I didnt catch that he said, sounding distracted.
But that strange sound had already put me on high alert.
Cold spread through my veins.
I knew that sound of his voice too wellthe way he only sounded when he was aroused, in bed.
What are you doing? I asked, my voice winter-cold. Whos with you right now?
Before he could answer, a thought struck me.
Swiftly, I opened the surveillance backend on my phone, and in the next second, my world caved in.
As expected, the office blinds were fully drawn.
In the sealed room, Xavier sat in his chair while a young woman worked her hands over his shoulders.
I recognized her at once.
Ysabelle Lawson, the very intern who had been hurling insults at me yesterday.
My fingers clenched tightly, and heat stung the corners of my eyes.
Xavier had lied to me.
No wonder he was always so patient with her, defending her repeatedly, even when she had clearly crossed the line.
Now, I understand. They had been involved all along.
He stammered on the other end, trying to come up with an excuse.
Its nothing, babe. You misheard. Ive been sitting too long, so I was massaging my own shoulders, he said lamely.
Really? I said quietly. You did it all by yourself? No pretty little helper around?
On the screen, he furtively waved Yssa away.
She slipped out of the office, reluctant.
See? No one here, he said then, switching to a joking tone as if to lighten the air. If I had that kind of time, Id go to a massage parlor, wouldnt I?
He tried to sound playful, lighthearted. "Vivian, why are you calling right now? Is something wrong? Do you want me to come keep you company?
I stared at the man on the feed. He was the same one I knew, yet somewhere along the way, he had rotted.
He lied to me so casually. Every other time, Id believed him.
Who knew how many times hed fooled me already?
For a moment, I just breathed.
I forced myself to breathe and sound calm as I asked. Why was my building access canceled?
Then, unexpectedly, a memory resurfaced from a recent get-together with my friends, their gentle warnings echoing in my mind.
These days, the real danger isnt mistresses, one of them had said, wine glass in hand. Its men who live off their wives. Be careful with your husband.
We all know Xavier treats you well, practically worships you, another added.
But you cant ignore a mans pride and ambition, a third chimed in.
Especially after he found out you're a rich heiress. With him being pressed under your heel like that, what man would enjoy it?
Especially now that youre pregnant, my friend had warned me, you need to be careful. He might try to edge you out of your own company.
Back then, Id laughed it off. I thought they were just being overly suspicious.
Yet, looking back now, the memory chills me.
After all, if it werent guilt or something else at play, why would Xavier specifically delete my building access?
When I asked him, he paused, clearly taken aback.
What? How is that possible? I definitely didnt do that! he protested. Maybe someone deleted it by accident. Give me half an hour. Ill look into it and have them restore it right away.
I opened my lips to say more, but ultimately, it turned into a gentle 'mm,' and I ended the call.
Soon after, he sent me what sounded like a perfect explanation.
Vivian, I checked, he said briskly. Yesterday, when HR was consolidating attendance records, they saw youve been on maternity leave for months and took it upon themselves to remove your access. I gave them a scolding and had them put it back. From now on, you can come to the company anytime, just like before.
The way he said it in such a matter-of-fact tone made it sound as if the company had quietly become his.
But he seemed to forget that Im the companys legal representative. Im the one who truly holds the reins.
If I hadnt given him this company to run, even ten years of struggling would not have brought him to where he is today.
Maam, where to? the taxi driver prompted gently.
I sat dazed in the back seat.
It was the third time hed asked.
Finally, I shook my head and passed him a thousand dollars.
Nowhere, I said softly. Lets just wait here.
Lifting my gaze to the office building not far away, I settled in.
All afternoon, I sat restless in that cab, watching the front doors as people streamed in and out.
Sure enough, I eventually saw Xavier come out holding Yssas hand.
My breath hitched.
So after that feather-light apology, he hadnt made things difficult for her at all and didnt even mention firing her. At the time, I couldnt understand why hed be so lenient with an intern.
Now the answer was right in front of me.
I watched as he stopped, slipped an arm around her waist, and pressed a kiss to her forehead.
Go back to the apartment and wait for me, he murmured. Ill come find you once I finish up.
I dont want to, Yssa pouted, clearly reluctant. Is that old bat trying to seduce you again? Is she using that CEO title to pressure you into sleeping with her?
Xavier, maybe youre scared of her, but Im not, she went on, chin tilted. Worst case, Ill report her and let her husband see what a slut she really is
Thats enough, Yssa. Dont cause me more trouble, he said at last.
But his tone was unbearably gentle, the way youd soothe a lover.
Then he added, low and earnest, Vivians family background is formidable. Not even her husband can rein her in. I promise you, as soon as Ive secured real control of the company in the next two years, Ill cut ties with her completely and marry you.
I almost burst out laughing from sheer anger. My hand moved instinctively, searching for a cigarette. Then, I remembered Id thrown them all out months ago, when I got pregnant.
No wonder Yssa kept calling me a temptress for "seducing her husband.
This was the root of it.
In her world, Im the mistress.
They chatted a few more times on Instagram, soft and conspiratorial. Then, Xavier hailed a taxi and, ever considerate, opened the door for her.
Yssa, take good care of yourself, he said. Ill be home tonight.
She looped her arms around his neck, kissed him on the lips, and they clung to each other for a long, syrupy moment before parting.
Xavier, Ill be waiting she whispered.
Only after her cab pulled away did Xavier straighten his clothes, smooth his expression, and turn to head home.
But the moment he turned and saw me, he went rigid, as if startled out of his skin, his face blanching chalk-white.
Vivian, you Why are you here? he stammered.
Id already guessed his expression would look like hed swallowed something foul.
Even so, I didnt spare him. I thrust the surveillance clip in his face.
Go on, I said, voice cold. Explain this. What exactly is going on? You said you were massaging yourself, so why was Yssa in your office, pressed in that close? And fine, say she was massaging you, since when does a massage wind you up like that?
The scorn on my face needed no translation.
Color drained from Xaviers cheeks, inch by inch. His hand trembled where it gripped the phone playing the footage.
When did you install surveillance in my office? Youve been spying on me? he demanded, trying for indignation.
I let out a short, cold laugh.
Didnt you put it in yourself back then, to prove your loyalty and even show me? I reminded him.
His eyes darted. His face went iron-blue.
Of course, Xavier remembered.
Three years ago, when I handed him this company, hed sworn up and down, Ill be a good boy from now on, just your employee for life!
Oh? But you wont be just an employee, Id teased him then. Youll have your own office. What if some young little thing tosses you an olive branch?
He had laughed and wrapped me in his arms from behind. Even if I have my own office, its fine, babe. You can watch me anytime at home.
Back then, hed bought the cameras himself and had them installed.
Hed downloaded the monitoring app to my phone so I could see him whenever I wanted.
But three years had passed. I had never once opened it, even though he had forgotten.
Vivian, listen to me Xavier started.
I turned to leave, but he lunged forward and grabbed my arm.
Yes, she was in my office today, he blurted in a rush. Yssa came to give me a quick shoulder rub. I didnt say anything because I didnt want you to misunderstandjust a man and a woman alone, it might sound bad. But she didnt mean anything by it. After yesterdays uproar, she was afraid Id fire her Shes a fresh grad, just an intern. Young girls dont know any better and make mistakes easily. I already promised not to fire her. It wont happen again
I stared at his shifty eyes and almost laughed.
Do you take me for blind? I asked softly. Did you think I didnt just watch the two of you hugging and kissing?
Whatever scaffolding hed built in his head collapsed in an instant.
He had never imagined that, six months pregnant, I wouldnt be at home resting, but downstairs, watching him at the office. He had never imagined that Yssas little jealous tantrum would yank his office secret out by the roots.
Xavier, lets divorce. As for the company, complete the handover as soon as possible. Im giving you half a month. After those two weeks, you leave with nothing. I spoke calmly, without a hint of emotion.
Then I turned, got into the car, and shut the door.
Behind me, I could hear him shouting, his voice raw and breaking, as he dropped to his knees on the pavement.
But the engines roar was loud. I couldnt make out what he said, and I didnt want to.
That night, I waited until nine-thirty. He still didnt come home.
I looked up at the enormous wedding photo hanging on the wall.
For a long time, I believed it was a gift to have met Xavier, a man of such talent and determination.
Now, it just felt like a bitter joke.
He said he was occupied with a big project and had been working long hours, so I shouldn't wait for him and should go to bed early with the baby.
And Id believed him.
Every day Id lived in the comfortable delusion that he was fighting for the three of us. I never imagined he was working overtime at a female employees home.
So, from beginning to end, hed only ever seen me as a stepping stone.
He liked them young, promising that once he seized real power in two years, hed bring one home as his bride.
In a rush of heat, I snatched up the ashtray on the table and hurled it at the wedding portrait.
With a deafening crack, the glass shattered; the photo split into jagged quarters.
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
Are you Vivian Summers? a calm voice asked from the other side. Were with the police. Someone has reported you for making threats and engaging in extortion. Well need you to come with us.
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