Once the Forgotten Wife, Now His Biggest Regret

Chapter 12: Chapter 12: I’m not tolerating the disrespect anymore!

"Jessica, the position is yours."

My father’s gaze landed on Jessica, and the mother-daughter duo’s eyes lit up almost instantly. They could hardly contain their excitement and joy.

I watched in a daze as Jessica leapt from her seat to dash to my father’s side, her arms pulling him into a hug. "Thanks dad! I knew you wouldn’t let me down." She was grinning from ear to ear, her smile so wide I thought her face was about to split apart.

Of course, it belonged to Jessica. How was I so foolish to expect anything else? Yet, my heart still cracked a little at his final decision. Had I meant nothing to him?

My father had always given in to Jessica’s and my stepmother’s whims and requests, even though it was clear neither of them deserved it. I knew once he saw the look on Jessica’s face and the tears she shed, it was pretty much game over for me.

My eyes met my father’s from across the table as I tried my best to keep my voice steady. "What about me? What about your promise to me? Am I not your daughter?"

He let out a breath, almost like he was irritated I dared to question his decision. "I made a promise to your mother and sister, too. Could you please be more understanding? I will make it up to you one day." freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

But I was done being the one who had to be more understanding, I was done being the one who had to give up what I wanted just because Jessica wanted it too.

"No," my voice came out barely above a whisper. "I don’t want to be more understanding. You promised me too!"

He slammed the table hard again, startling me. "Enough!" He bellowed. "My decision is final, and Jessica will be working in Hart Group as the marketing lead. If you insist on working there too, we have a role as a marketing assistant, that way you two can work together."

An incredulous chuckle left my lips. I couldn’t believe this. My father wanted me to work as an assistant for Jessica. I would rather walk into oncoming traffic than work under my stepsister.

"A marketing assistant? Are you serious? Why should I work under Jessica?"

My father’s expression remained stern and his tone firm, while Jessica was still clinging onto my father with a triumphant look on her face. "Take it or leave it. It’s up to you."

I didn’t let my emotions show or run wild. Instead, I kept my expression neutral this time and my gaze steady. "I will not be taking leftover scraps from you. I know I deserve better than this, and I will not tolerate any disrespect or humiliation anymore."

My eyes darted between the three of them, and the corners of my lips tugged into a slight smirk when the idea formed in my head.

"Guess what? If you don’t want me at Hart Group, I will work for TechHub instead. I heard they pay amazingly well with great benefits."

My father flew into a rage upon hearing the name of our biggest rival in the industry come out of my mouth. His fists were clenched tightly beside him as his face turned red in an instant. "You are not allowed to work with TechHub!" His voice boomed, echoing in my ears.

Jessica was quick to comfort him, her hand gently patting his back in a soothing manner. "Dad, don’t be angry, it’s bad for your health."

She then turned to face me, the fake concern on her face could fool my father, but not me. "Evelyn, quickly apologise to dad and tell him you don’t mean what you said. You know TechHub had been going against us at every turn. How could you even say something like that?"

"Why not? I’m not apologising when I did nothing wrong. If I don’t have a spot in Hart Group, I will go somewhere else where I will be valued."

He let out a mocking laugh. "Do you really think such a huge company like TechHub would care about a tiny employee like yourself?"

"Exactly, besides, do you know how competitive it is to get into TechHub? Most couldn’t even secure an interview there. Dad is just saying this for your own good."

"Don’t mind her, she’s just being stubborn. If she wants to go, let her," my stepmother chimed in this time in support of her biological daughter. "I bet she would regret rejecting the role as an assistant at Hart Group. I doubt she can even get an interview," she sneered, looking down at me.

"Say what you want. But when I get into TechHub, just know that I will do everything in my power to take Hart Group down," I threatened.

"You wouldn’t dare—"

"Watch me."

With that said, I picked up my bag and walked right out, leaving the three of them yelling and cussing behind my back.

***

I needed to get into TechHub.

I’d hate to admit it, but Jessica was right. It was notoriously tough to even secure an interview at TechHub, much less get the offer. But nonetheless, this was my only shot at getting back at them.

If my father wouldn’t give me a position at Hart Group, then I would become their biggest nightmare and enemy. The Tech industry was saturated with multiple big players, but Hart Group and TechHub had always been leading. Working there would give me the power to bring Hart Group down. And it was exactly what I needed.

And so I got to work immediately that night, applying to any available roles I saw on their job portal. Could you blame me? I was desperate.

What I didn’t expect was to receive an interview invite from them barely a week later, I must have used up all my luck right there and then.

"Evelyn Hart."

My heart was still pounding when I heard the person call my name. I rose from my seat, smoothing down my long black dress before plastering a smile and walking in.

But my breath hitched in my throat, and the smile on my face faltered the second I found myself looking into a pair of dark brown eyes I would recognise in a heartbeat.

"Miss Hart," he drawled, leaning back in his chair like he owned not just the room, but the entire building. His lips curled into an infuriating smirk. "Fancy seeing you here."