Part 1The Temporary Boss

1

After my boss left for a business trip overseas, our new female intern suddenly claimed she was pregnant with his child.

Using the unborn baby as leverage, she made herself comfortable in his luxurious corner office and started laying down the law, acting like she already owned the place.

“First, no one is allowed to eat their lunch in the office. The smell of any grease makes me nauseous.”

“Second, every single one of you must serve me. When I give an order, it has to be completed immediately.”

“Third, the AC is staying off. The hum of the condenser outside the window is giving me a headache and ruining my sleep.”

“If you can’t handle these rules, you can all pack up and leave.”

We walked on eggshells, terrified of angering her, yet she found ways to make our lives miserable at every turn.

When I couldn't take it anymore, I called my boss.

I was ready to quit my job and scream at him, “Can you please come collect your pregnant girlfriend?! She’s running the company into the ground!”

But my boss, sitting halfway across the globe, was absolutely furious. “Pregnant?! I’m a virgin, for crying out loud! What the hell are you talking about?!”

……

I had just dropped my boss off at LAX and was planning to treat myself to a huge meal when my phone rang.

It was a coworker. He lowered his voice, sounding frantic. “Assistant Taylor, when are you getting back?”

I stuffed a piece of sourdough into my mouth. “Probably in half an hour. What’s up?”

“You need to get back here ASAP! Chloe just announced she’s pregnant with Mr. Vance's baby!”

“And now she’s calling a meeting to set some new ground rules!”

I was so shocked the bread fell right out of my hand onto the pavement. “Chloe?!”

The intern who literally started yesterday?!

I sprinted back to my car. “Don’t panic. I’m on my way.”

I had to hand it to him—Mr. Vance really knew how to keep a secret.

As his executive assistant, I hadn't seen a single clue that he even had a girlfriend.

Initially, I had wondered how Chloe even got hired. Based on her resume and experience, she was nowhere near qualified for our firm.

Now, it all made sense.

But still, he could have given me a heads-up!

Ten minutes later, I walked into the office.

Instead of working at their desks, the entire staff was gathered in Mr. Vance's executive suite.

They were standing in a semi-circle, hunched over, listening to a woman shouting orders.

She was acting more arrogant than the CEO himself.

I quickly pushed through the crowd. Chloe was lounging on the leather sofa, one hand resting dramatically on her stomach.

When she saw me, her frown deepened.

“Finally decided to show up? Do you realize the entire company has been waiting for you?”

“You really think you're a big shot, don't you?”

I quickly lowered my head and forced an apologetic smile. “Traffic on the 405 was terrible.”

She cut me off before I could finish.

“Your performance bonus for this month is gone.”

I clenched my fists, gritting my teeth, but ultimately swallowed my pride and apologized.

Just yesterday, she had been politely calling me "Ms. Taylor." Now, her status had completely shifted.

If I crossed her, losing my bonus would be the least of my problems. I could lose my job.

Even though I could easily find another position, jobs with benefits this good were rare.

I really didn't want to lose it.

Seeing that I had corrected my attitude, Chloe raised an eyebrow.

“Since everyone is finally here, I’m going to lay down the new rules.”

My coworkers stiffened, their faces turning pale.

As I stood there confused, Sarah tugged at my sleeve.

She leaned in and whispered, “Her rules are completely insane.”

“Listen up, all of you,” Chloe announced.

“I am pregnant. And I am carrying your boss's heir.”

She absentmindedly stroked her flat stomach.

“Rule number one: lunch hours in the office are canceled. No one is allowed to eat anywhere in this building.”

A collective gasp echoed through the room.

I couldn’t help but speak up. “Chloe, everyone works really hard here. If they can’t eat lunch…”

Before I could finish, she threw a cup of scalding hot water right at me.

“Who do you think you are, calling me by my first name?!”

“From now on, when you see me, you refer to me as Mrs. Vance!”

My face contorted in pain from the burning water, and my body began to tremble involuntarily.

Chloe let out a cold scoff and pointed a manicured finger at me.

“Let that be a lesson to all of you. This is what happens when you disobey me.”

Seeing this, my coworkers were so terrified they barely dared to breathe.

“Rule number two!”

She raised her voice, looking incredibly smug.

“Every single one of you works for me. If I tell you to jump, you ask how high.”

“Rule number three! Turn off all the AC units. The condensers outside are giving me a migraine.”

This time, no one dared to argue. Not even me.

The skin on my arm where the boiling water had hit was already turning red and swelling.

“Did you all hear me?!”

“If you can’t handle it, pack your boxes and get out!”

With that, she shot me a deadly glare.

The staff nodded frantically, respectfully assuring her they understood.

After dismissing everyone else, she made me stay behind.