What kind of CEO stoops to such petty tactics against an employee? This wasn''t just unprofessional-it was downrightughable. Gwh could only see Yvette''s actions as childish, pathetic, even a little amusing.


    Yvette probably didn''t believe Hawthorne was really married. And even if he was, she certainly didn''t think his wife was Gwh. That must be why she felt so emboldened, so shameless in targeting her.


    Couldn''t she be a little more subtle? Gwh nced at him and muttered under her breath, "I can''t take another sick day, can I?"


    "A sick day? Who would you even ask? You''re the boss''s wife-you could fire anyone if you wanted."


    Gwh fell silent, sensing there was more to Hawthorne''s words.


    "Are you thinking about firing Miss Yvette?" she asked.


    Hawthorne''s expression softened a little as he faced Gwh, as if worried his severity might frighten her. "It''s not about what I want. She simply doesn''t deserve the position anymore. Today, out of jealousy, she abused her power to get back at you—sent you off to some remote corner of the city. I could tell her who you really are, and she''d never dare bother you again. But honestly, keeping her around isn''t fair to the rest of the staff."


    If he hadn''t happened to catch Yvette harassing Gwh, he might have stayed in the dark. He''d only kept Yvette on because of the history between their families, and because she was willing to work hard and had some ability. He''d given her resources, opportunities, even promoted her to vice president-he''d looked out for her, maybe more than she deserved. Over the years, he''d heard rumors about her using her position to fire employees she didn''t like, but he''d chosen to trust her judgment, confident she was old enough to put thepany first. He didn''t want to micromanage every little thing.


    But this time he couldn''t let it go. Gwh was his wife, and he couldn''t bear to see her hurt. For Yvette to make her a target—he wouldn''t stand for it.


    "These arepany matters. You don''t need to worry about them," he said, almost automatically ruffling Gwh''s hair.


    Gwh pursed her lips. "Just a minute ago, you called me the boss''s wife."


    He couldn''t help butugh. "You are the boss''s wife, which is exactly why I won''t burden you with this nonsense. Don''t worry-your husband will handle it. You don''t need to give it a second thought."


    He soothed her with gentle words, then called Leonie Everhart toe keep Gwhpany.


    Honestly, Gwh had no wish to


    ет


    get involved with Yvette anyway. It wasn''t just personal-someone like Yvette would only keep dragging thepany down with her petty vendettas. Gwh didn''t approve of her, but this was Hawthorne''spany, not hers. She knew better than to meddle. Her job was to do her own work well.


    Watching Hawthorne''s car


    overed"


    disappear down the street, Gwh remembered the half-finished stamp she''d been carving. She didn''t to go back to the office that afternoon, so now she finally had time to do something she enjoyed. That was a smallfort.


    Hawthorne drove straight to the office. The moment the elevator doors opened, he


    strode out in a ck suit, his face dark and unreadable.


    "Get Miss Yvette to my office. Now," he instructed.


    His assistant instantly sensed something was wrong, but when she called Yvette''s extension, no one picked up.


    Hawthorne''s expression grew colder. Just then, his phone rang.


    He nced at the screen: it was Yvette''s grandfather. After a brief hesitation, he answered.


    "Hawthorne, are you free tonight? Come over for dinner, will you?"


    Hawthorne was always courteous


    with his elders. Whatever Yvette had


    done, she''d have to answer for it herself. Still, he realized it might be time totell her grandfather how she''d been behaving at work lf he fired her outright, her grandfather would never ept it. Their families had been close for decades, and Hawthorne didn''t want to ruin that over Yvette''s mistakes.