Chapter 1

The new intern stormed into my boss’s office to report me after seeing that I’d ordered a $5,000 custom ergonomic chair with company funds.

“I know you’ve always let Claire get away with things, but she can’t just waste company money like this!”

“What, is her ass gold-plated? Five grand could help support two struggling students like me!”

Before I could explain, my boss, Grant Caldwell, lit into me.

“You’re way out of line! Do you think you’re Mrs. Caldwell? What’s next—helping yourself to my money?”

“Cancel that order right now. Tomorrow, you can explain to the entire staff why you’re treating yourself at the company’s expense!”

Out in the hallway, employees snickered behind their hands. I stood there, stunned.

Fine. If he wouldn’t let me spend five grand, he could kiss that $750,000 rebate goodbye.

If his company went under, that was his problem.

“Grant, hear me out.”

I swallowed my anger and tried to stay patient.

I’d been one of the company’s first employees. After eight years handling its finances, I still cared about it.

Year-end was approaching. A progress payment on the port warehouse expansion was two months overdue, and our line of credit was maxed out.

We’d only kept making payroll because I stayed on top of collections and carefully timed our payments.

Those cash shortfalls weren’t something to discuss in front of everyone.

I turned to Vanessa Reed, who was still fuming. “Could you step outside for a moment? I need to speak to Grant.”

Vanessa bristled and edged closer to him. “What do you need to hide that you have to talk to Grant behind closed doors?”

I had nothing to hide.

We bought our office and warehouse equipment from the same supplier.

The contract was clear: $25 million in annual purchases earned us a $750,000 rebate. The chair covered the final $5,000. Tonight was the deadline. If we canceled the order, we’d lose the money that was supposed to arrive in time for payroll.

But Vanessa started crying.

“I know you think you’re special. Other people have told me you already act like you’re Mrs. Caldwell. But that doesn’t mean you can waste the company’s money… I’m just trying to do what’s best for the company…”

Now I understood. She was implying that I wanted to marry Grant and thought that gave me permission to do whatever I pleased.

Rather than rush to defend myself, I looked at him and waited.

He frowned. “You’ve really crossed a line this time. Do you have any idea what five thousand dollars means to a family like Vanessa’s?”

“Grant, buying this chair would—”

He cut me off with a shout.

“Shut up! What could buying a chair possibly do?”

“Do you think this place would stop running without you?”

The stack of reports hit me in the face, then scattered across the floor.

I froze. I could barely believe he’d humiliated me like that.

For eight years, I’d checked every entry and saved the company millions of dollars in losses. Yet I couldn’t even get him to let me finish a sentence.

I didn’t argue. I picked up the settlement sheets, one at a time.

If he didn’t want the money, so be it.

I straightened and smiled.

“The world will keep turning without any of us. This company, though? It won’t run without me.”

He was so sure I’d never leave Caldwell Holdings that he couldn’t be bothered to show me basic respect.

But I didn’t need this company to survive.