Chapter 1

Chapter 1

I never worried about the vultures circling my fiancé. Everyone in the elite circles of New York knew my reputation. No one was stupid enough to cross me.

But then I returned from a six-month executive program in London. I arrived at the office just in time to see a young girl sitting in Sterling Vance's passenger seat.

I didn't storm over to confront them. Instead, I had my assistant schedule a dinner with Sterling and all his top executives.

If a man can't be loyal, I don't need him. And as for the girl who thought she could sink her claws into my man?

I'd crush her before she even had the chance to dream.

"Ms. Thorne, seven people have arrived at the Vance side, but... there's one more who isn't on the list," my assistant whispered. Her eyes flickered toward the private dining room with a hint of hesitation.

"Who is it?" I asked, sliding my phone into my Birkin. I gestured for her to lead the way.

"It's... the girl from the passenger seat."

I let out a soft, cold laugh. It was exactly what I expected.

When I entered the room, the eight people sitting along the long table stood up in unison. The air in the room instantly turned heavy.

Sterling was at the head of the table. When he saw me, he froze for a second before reflexively shifting to the next seat to leave the main chair open for me.

The girl sitting next to him looked to be in her early twenties. Her makeup was flawless, but she was dressed in a simple, almost innocent white dress.

The rest of the executives stayed silent, their faces pale. The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife.

But the girl acted as if she were blind to the atmosphere. She picked up Sterling's glass, took a sip, and giggled as she leaned toward him.

"Mr. Vance, are you skipping lunch again? No way. I'm going to make sure you eat today."

I stood by the door, unmoving. Sensing the awkward silence, she finally turned her gaze toward me.

She tilted her head, looking at me and then at the room full of terrified men. Then, she turned back to Sterling.

"Who's this? She's so late and didn't even say hello. Mr. Vance, is our company culture really this lax?"

When no one answered, she continued in a voice that was both naive and incredibly arrogant.

"Even if she's a board member, she should have basic manners, right? You've spoiled them all, Sterling. Everyone is so uncomfortable because she's late."

Sterling's lead assistant looked like he was about to faint. He finally couldn't take it anymore and nudged her.

"Ms. Rivers, this is Seraphina Thorne. She is Mr. Vance's fiancée and... the actual person in charge of the entire Thorne Group."

The room went dead silent.

Luna Rivers froze with the glass halfway to her mouth. The playful smile on her face slowly hardened into a mask of shock.

She set the glass down. Before Sterling could say a word, she spoke up again.

"Oh, the fiancée. Well, that's even more reason to be on time. Everyone's been waiting for you for so long."

I took my seat at the head of the table, my eyes locked on Sterling.

"Sterling, your new intern is quite... interesting."

He finally looked at me, his expression cold and distant.

"She's young and doesn't know better. Don't lower yourself to her level."

"When have I ever lowered myself for anyone?" I replied, flipping open the menu.

"By the way, have that car of yours scrapped by tomorrow. Get a new one."

His brows furrowed instantly. "What?"

"The passenger seat has been used by someone else. I don't want it anymore."

Luna muttered something under her breath. I didn't catch it, and frankly, I didn't care to.

"Also," I said, closing the menu and looking him dead in the eye.

"This Ms. Rivers needs to be fired by tomorrow morning. Contact every partner in our network. She is never to be hired in this industry again."

Luna's face finally crumbled. She snapped her head up to look at me.

"On what grounds?! Who do you think you are?"

"I am Seraphina Thorne. That's all the ground I need."

Sterling's face darkened. He looked like he wanted to argue, but in the end, he kept his mouth shut.

The entire table let out a collective breath of relief.

I stood up and patted Sterling on the shoulder.

"Sterling, you'd better remember exactly how you got to where you are today."

As I walked away, his voice trailed behind me, thick with suppressed rage.

"Seraphina, do you always have to be this ruthless?"

"Ruthless?" I pushed open the door, letting the cool hallway air hit my face.

"It seems you still don't know me at all."