The Cherished Wife by Chweety

"You've gone too far this time, Clarisse. You're pushing the limit. Getting Janet a spot at the company was already bending the rules, and Charles isn't happy with me. And now you want to fire people? Do you acknowledge Charles' position? He's the big boss of Collosus Group, you know." "Of course I do! Janet is his sister, his secretary, and she gets pushed around by the security guards? What I'm doing is totally fair!" Clarisse would not hear any of Mateo's reasoning. "If we don't stand up for her now, who knows what they might do to her next time?" "And did you even bother to ask Janet what she was up to?" Mateo massaged his temples in frustration. "Charles's office is full of top-secret stuff, and he wasn't even there. So why was Janet sneaking in? The guards were just doing their job. Anyone who breaks into Charles's office is asking for trouble. How can you blame them?" Mateo's sharp eyes fixed on Janet. "So, Janet, what were you doing in there after hours without Charles?"

"I..." Janet started to explain but stopped short. The thought of how Charles had treated her made her too ashamed to speak up. Plus, she knew that no one would take her word for it-except maybe her aunt.

Mateo gave a dismissive snort. "See? Even Janet can't come up with an excuse."

"Janet, spill it. What were you up to in Charles's office?" Clarisse had a hunch something was off. "You do know Charles has clocked out, right? Were you waiting for him?" She tugged at Janet's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

Janet snapped out of her daze, a

tear escaping her control. "Well... I hitched a ride this morning, and I was stranded without a way back

work. I

used to

this, so let's put it to rest," Mateo interjected, waving his hand dismissively. "It's

sound of

on the

the stairs.

and Henry, the

way down one after the

his deep-set eyes glinting with a sharp intelligence. He took a quick glance around and then, without any fuss,