Chapter 3 The Parachuted COO

These past few days have been peaceful.

Life seemed to have returned to how it used to be.

I hadn't told William about my pregnancy.

I didn't know why. I just had this vague feeling that ever since the crown incident, there had been an unease in my heart that I'd never felt before.

I heard news these few days that the initial board meeting has wrapped up, and my COO position should be secure.

I was not only good at technology, but also really skilled in content and operations. This was hugely beneficial for my career development. I had to get this position.

At the garden restaurant downstairs from the office.

A woman in a brown trench coat with an amazing figure and dark sunglasses walked in briskly. Men around the restaurant turned to look.

If you didn't know better, you'd think some celebrity had just arrived.

My college classmate and best friend, Emily Torres, a senior partner at a top domestic law firm and also our company's legal advisor.

"You're about to become COO, and you're still eating here? Saving money for William?"

Emily opened the menu. "I heard about this while I was out of town. Let's celebrate in advance?"

"It's not confirmed yet, so it doesn't count."

"How can it not count? You landed at Apex Technologies Group, plus with William at the company, who could take your position? Don't worry, there's no way this position could go to someone else, right?"

As soon as Emily finished speaking, she keenly noticed something was wrong and frowned. "Wait, you don't usually talk like this. What happened?"

I unconsciously recalled the scene from a few days ago of William caring for Jane in the kitchen.

When someone truly cares about you, it shows. You can tell from every word and gesture.

The gloom in my heart descended again. Have I been deceiving myself these past few days?

Emily came this time to handle some of the company's legal work, and we happened to grab a meal together.

I didn't mention a word about what happened the other day, only said I'd been too tired lately and a bit out of it.

We chatted about funny things that had happened while we ate, but everything tasted like cardboard to me. I couldn't feel happy and just barely kept up appearances.

Emily looked at me strangely several times, but didn't say anything.

After the meal, she went to the company's legal department, and I returned to the tech department next door.

I'd barely been sitting in my office for a few minutes.

A company-wide email came through.

My heart tightened. The email subject line read: [Notice Regarding COO Personnel Appointment at Stellar Innovations]

The content was formulaic and redundant. I quickly scrolled down and stopped at Jane's name.

I read it over and over several times.

No mistake—the COO position had been given to Jane.

Someone who had never worked a single day at the company.

Someone who had never appeared at a board meeting.

Suddenly, she had become my boss. From now on, I'd have to report my work to her.

A bone-chilling cold rushed from my brain straight down my spine.

I recalled the meaningful smile on Jane's face when she left that day.

There's only one person who could convince the board and directly parachute someone in as COO—William.

Accompanied by the rapid clicking of high heels, Emily appeared at my office door and said loudly, "Who is Jane?"

Outside, the tech department employees were talking among themselves, standing up for me.

I took a deep breath, walked out of my office, and clapped my hands. "Everyone, focus on your work. The company won't shortchange anyone."

"But... we just don't accept this! You're the most suitable candidate. Why parachute in some random person out of nowhere!"

Lily was indignant.

"Eleanor, come with me!"

Emily, though working with the company, wasn't actually a company employee—she was an outsider.

She pulled me into the office, closed the door, drew the curtains, and crossed her arms. "Who is Jane? Before I came, I heard William spent big money buying jewelry for a woman... That's why you've been so distracted today, isn't it?"

I smiled bitterly. As expected of a lawyer, her ability to process and connect information was extraordinary.

"What Stellar Innovations won't give me doesn't mean others won't either."

"Work is work, marriage is marriage. I keep them separate. You don't need to worry."

Emily was my best friend, so I didn't need to hide anything.

"William will agree?"

Emily frowned.

"Whether he agrees isn't up to him; it's up to me. This is a business, not a prison. I'll think about it more, but I won't give up on anything I deserve."

I suppressed the disappointment in my heart, my eyes dim, unconsciously looking through the gap in the curtains toward the outside.

The office felt too oppressive. I instinctively sought out places with light.

Through the gap, William and Jane appeared side by side in the tech department office.

He looked around, and his gaze met mine through the curtain gap, without a trace of guilt or emotion.

"Let's go. Time to welcome the new boss."

I pulled open the curtains, opened the office door, and walked out with Emily.

Jane was wearing heavy makeup today, dressed in a crimson coat, full of presence.

William wore a dark gray suit with gold-rimmed glasses, one hand in his pocket.

"They really look like a couple."

Emily sneered, speaking quietly beside me.

She'd guessed everything.

William still heard this. I could clearly see his face stiffen for a moment before he resumed his usual gentle and mild image.

Jane smiled slightly and lightly tapped William's shoe with her foot.

I caught this detail completely. For a brief moment, Jane's eyes looked in my direction.

I ignored it and looked at William instead.

His eyes showed some impatience and helplessness, but from his slightly upturned lips, I could see more of an indulgent attitude. He cleared his throat. 

"Everyone, quiet down. This is our company's newly appointed COO. She's been deeply involved in product content and operations for many years, has an excellent reputation in the industry, and is an expert-level figure. I had to work really hard to recruit her."

Scattered applause rang out.

Even though everyone was unwilling, they didn't dare say anything in front of William.

Jane covered her mouth and laughed lightly, looking at William with mock reproach. "Really hard work—you mean one ice cream?"

"Hello everyone, I'm Jane. Don't listen to Mr. Spencer's flattery. I'm hardly an expert. I don't understand technology, so I'll need to learn from all of you in the future!"

Anyone could see that the relationship between these two was definitely not just a simple working relationship.

"If one ice cream won't do it, then a crown jewelry set should be no problem, right, Mr. Spencer? A couple of days ago, the trending news showed you spent hundreds of thousands on jewelry. You gave it to Jane, didn't you?"

Emily interrupted Jane's speech, looking at William with a smile.

Jane didn't know Emily. After hearing this, she instinctively glanced at William and smiled slightly, essentially confirming it.

The tech department started discussing in low voices.

William's expression remained calm as he glanced at me.

I listened to the employees' discussion, nodding and pretending not to notice.

Everyone didn't know William and I had a secret marriage. Jane didn't know Emily was my best friend.

Only William knew everything, so he was the disgusting one.

Then Emily, wearing a smile that didn't reach her eyes, strode toward William. "Congratulations, Mr. Spencer, on the fantastic hire! With talent like this, Stellar Innovations is poised for its next big leap."

"Thank you."

As William reached out to shake hands, Emily dropped her hand and strode out of the tech department.

He understood Emily's no-nonsense personality and wouldn't act ungraciously, so he very naturally put his hand back in his pocket.

"Jane, go say hello to everyone in the administration department first."

With that, he left Jane behind and walked straight into my office.

"Ms. Russell, come in for a moment."