The Real Boss Undercover

To toughen me up, my dad kicked me down to the bottom of the corporate ladder as a junior clerk at his company.

Go figure, my boyfriend decided I was a dead-end and dumped me, then immediately started dating with the manager's niece.

But, hello? My dad owns the company!

Later that night, while my now-ex, Ethan, was showering, his phone buzzed on the nightstand.

The water was running full blast, he couldn't hear it.

I walked over and saw a text notification light up the screen.

I picked it up.

It was from LV.

"Mr. Ethan Chase, your purchase was delivered on January 7th, 2026, to your specified location. Enjoy your shopping!"

I couldn't help but smile.

Tomorrow was my birthday.

I'd noticed Ethan had been weirdly quiet about it lately, and had started to think he'd forgotten.

LV isn't really my usual style, but hey, it's the thought that counts, right?

So, I unlocked his phone (he never changed his passcode after we broke up? Idiot.) and checked his order on the LV site.

Sure enough, he'd bought a small blue handbag from the Summer Stardust collection. Price, around three thousand dollars.

Cute. Fresh. Perfect for summer.

I actually kinda liked the color. Looked like he'd put some thought into it.

I glanced towards the steamy bathroom door and marked the text as 'unread'.

Ethan was probably planning a surprise. Fine. I'd play dumb.

After all, I was planning a little surprise of my own in a few months.

See, the company we were interning at, Summit Holdings?

Yeah, that's my family's business. My dad is the CEO, Robert Sterling.

When I graduated, to "fast-track" me into the family empire, Dad decided the best way was to throw me into the trenches. Start from the absolute bottom. "Junior Clerk."

"Don't you dare tell a soul I'm your father! You earn your keep the hard way!"

Whatever. I was gonna inherit the company eventually. Getting a feel for the ground floor wasn't a bad idea.

But I did wrangle an extra internship slot out of Dad for Ethan.

No way his community college degree would have gotten him past Summit's HR filters otherwise.

After that, Ethan was practically kissing the ground I walked on.

Couldn't do enough for me.

I figured he was genuinely grateful.

I'd planned to tell him the truth soon, see if maybe after we got married, we could groom him for a management role.

Why let outsiders profit when family can benefit?

...

I waited for Ethan's big surprise.

But the next day arrived and faded into evening with nothing.

Not a word about the bag.

Not even a half-hearted "Happy Birthday."

He caught a ride to work with me as usual, but made me drop him off a full block from the office entrance.

"Better not walk in together," he said, avoiding my eyes.

"Scarlett, don't take it personally," Ethan insisted, his expression the picture of sincerity. "I just don't want anyone getting the wrong idea about office politics, you know?"

Which was bullshit. Summit's unofficial policy was firmly in the "don't ask, don't tell."

But, fine.

I understood how much this job meant to him.

I drove on along, parking in the underground executive garage my father had discreetly arranged, and headed upstairs by myself.

The moment I stepped into the buzzing open-plan office, I saw it.

Hanging off Tiffany Adams' shoulder.

The blue bag. Summer Stardust collection.

A petite, delicate handbag. Price tag, a cool $3,040.

The identical bag Ethan had purchased.

A small cluster of colleagues had already gathered around her desk, their voices pitched with admiration.

"Ooh, a new accessory? Lucky you!"

"I saw that one online! Over three grand? It's stunning! Who's the mystery benefactor?"

One of the girls nudged Tiffany with an elbow. Tiffany smoothed a strand of her perfect highlighted hair behind her ear, a smug, knowing smile curling her lips.

"My boyfriend got it for me. sort of a 'congrats on us' gift."

"It just arrived yesterday afternoon."

I stared, frozen, my eyes locked on the bag. Same collection. Same exact style. Same delivery timeline.

If this was a coincidence, the universe had a truly twisted sense of humor.

A cold, heavy feeling settled in the pit of my stomach.

The gushing continued around me, "Ooh, you're dating? That's amazing! He sure knows how to treat you!"

"Tiffany, you're gorgeous, loaded total package! He's a lucky guy! When do we get the formal introduction?"

Tiffany's gaze flicked directly to me, a light tinkling laugh escaped her. "Soon enough. He'll take you all out to dinner."

...

I was completely distracted all day, my focus shattered.

Maybe maybe it was just a bizarre coincidence?

Ethan and I had three years behind us. College sweethearts. Each other's first real love.

He'd always been so good to me. He wouldn't betray me like that.

But that evening, Ethan made no mention of a gift.

He didn't mention the day at all.

He just muttered something about colleagues dragging him out for drinks and said he'd be late.

I sat in the growing dark of our apartment, the phone a cold, inert weight in my palm, waiting.

He never came home. His phone was switched off, going straight to a robotic voicemail.

At 3 AM, I mechanically scrolled through Tiffany's Instagram Story. A photo of two hands, fingers tightly interlaced. The sickly-sweet vibes practically oozed off the screen.

My eyes burned as I read the caption,

"Future's looking bright. Can't wait for forever with you."

Three years together. A thousand shhared days and nights. I'd recognize the shape of those fingers, the slight scar on the knuckle, anywhere, even if it was ashes.

It was Ethan's hand.

So, on my birthday, January 8th, 2026. I got dumped. Just like that.

When Ethan finally slunk back home the next morning, I didn't say a word.

He reeked of cheap cologne and smug satisfaction as hedropped onto the couch beside me.

He was the one who broke the silence.

"So. You saw."

I looked up at that face I once knew so well.

Let's be honestEthan was good-looking. Sharp jawline, six feet tall. Back in college, girls used to orbit him constantly.

He'd never given them a second glance back then. I'd really thought he was different.

My throat felt raw. I hadn't slept. "Why?" I rasped from my corner of the couch.

I braced myself for some line about finding his soulmate, about falling for Tiffany. But he paused, thinking it over, and said,

"I want to stay at Summit."

I blinked. "What?"

Ethan looked at me, dead serious. The warmth I used to see in his eyes was gone, replaced by something cold and calculating I couldn't read.

"Scarlett, we're not in college anymore."

"You're incredible. I do care about you. But feelings don't pay rent."

I stared at him, completely thrown. "So what does Tiffany have that I don't?"

Ethan let out a dry, humorless laugh.

"She's nowhere near you. But her uncle is the Senior Vice President of Operations at Summit."

"Scarlett, I went to community college. Even with you pulling strings to get me this internship, what are my actual odds of getting hired full-time?"

"If I want to build a career at Summit, she's my golden ticket."

I looked at his utterly earnest expression. I was speechless.

This was insane.

I was planning to marry him and groom him for a VP role! And he was dumping me to latch onto another VP's niece?!

How utterly, pathetically transparent!

Ethan kept talking. "I don't want some dead-end job, grinding eighty hours a week for a mediocre salary. Summit is a top-tier firm. I need this."

"Sorry," he said, without a shred of remorse in his voice. "But love without a foundation? It's like building on sand. Doesn't even need a stormjust a few steps and it crumbles."

"Scarlett, I don't have a choice. Blame your family for not being the ones with connections."

My brain short-circuited.

In that moment, I didn't even feel the sting of heartbreak. Just pure, unadulterated disbelief.

Yeah, my uncle? No clue what he does. Sells tractors in Ohio, maybe.

But my father is Robert Sterling, the CEO of Summit Holdings!

I didn't know whether to laugh hysterically or scream. Finally, I just let out a slow breath and met his gaze head-on.

"Fine. You've made your choice."

"I hope it makes you happy. I hope you won't regret it."

Ethan smiled. He reached over and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

"I won't regret it. I know exactly what I'm doing. People climb ladders, water flows downhill. Scarlett, you should try seeing the world for what it really is, too."

"It's a ruthless place."

I nodded. "Yeah."

"It really is."

"Thanks for the life lesson."

...

Ethan and I were officially over.

In the most absurd way imaginable.

Suddenly single, I threw myself into work. All-nighters at the office became my new normal.

Our department was preparing a major pitch for a new strategic partnership. I was killing myself over the proposal.

It wasn't the company's biggest deal, but because the CEO himself had personally shown interest (go figure), every team was fighting for it. The competition was cutthroat.

If my proposal got selected, I'd secure my permanent position at Summit. Maybe even get a shot at a leadership track later.

Back when I lived with Ethan, I'd even moved into the guest room for two weeks straight to work late without disturbing him.

After a solid month of burning the midnight oil, my proposal was finally ready. I was so sleep-deprived I felt lightheaded, my heart racing.

I knew I was pushing my limits, but this was my shot.

My best chance to prove myself without Daddy's help!

The next morning, at the presentation meeting the next morning, I was ready to stun them, my proposal in my hands.

I'd poured everything into it.

It was far beyond what any typical intern could produce, but growing up hearing business strategies at the dinner table had given me an undeniable edge.

I was fifth in the presentation order.

I sat through the first few, nerves humming.

Then Tiffany got up.

She looked flawless in a crisp white pantsuit, smiling confidently as she started her pitch.

But the content it was mine! Word for word!

My mind went blank. White noise roared in my ears.

Tiffany glanced my way, her eyes gleaming with malice and mockery.

A smirk curled her lips as she recited every single point I had crafted.

Impossible!

Tiffany wasn't even on my project group!

How could she have my entire proposal?!

My laptop was password-protected.

Even if I'd left it at the office, no one could have accessed it!

My eyes shot across the room to Ethan, sitting way off in the corner.

He saw me looking and quickly dropped his gaze.

Bingo.

The only person who knew my laptop password... was Ethan.

I'd never hidden anything from him. He used my laptop at home all the time.

He stole my proposal. And he gave it to Tiffany.

Right then, watching Tiffany recite my work, so pleased with herself, I saw red. Literally. Black spots danced at the edges of my vision.

I'd never wronged him!

He cheated, he humiliated me, and I'd let him walk away without a scene!

I hadn't even contacted him since the breakup!

Why would he do this?!

Weeks of intense stress and this fresh betrayal collided.

I trembled with pure rage.

Tiffany was wrapping up.

My proposal was near-perfect.

Combined with her polished delivery, I saw the senior managers nodding, looking thoroughly impressed.

Tiffany beamed, finished her stolen presentation, and stood there, basking in the moment.

"Excellent. Very compelling work," the department head said, leading the applause.

"Tiffany, this is a strong, highly feasible proposal. Clearly a lot of thought went into this."

He turned to me. "Scarlett? Your turn. Let's hear yours."

I stared coldly at Tiffany, snapped my proposal folder shut with a sharp crack, and stood up.

"That proposal Tiffany just presented? It's mine."

"She stole it."

The room plunged into dead silence for a heartbeat, then erupted into murmurs.

Tiffany frowned, feigning concern.

"Scarlett, I know you have... personal issues with me, but come on. Keep it professional, shall we? Read the room."

I locked eyes with Ethan, my fury a live wire.

"You stole it for her, didn't you? You know how much blood and sweat I poured into this!"

The department manager turned a stern gaze towardfrowned at Ethan.

"Ethan? Care to explain?"

Ethan stood up slowly.

He refused to look at me, addressing the manager directly, his voice unnervingly calm.

"I don't know what Scarlett's talking about. That proposal is Tiffany's."

My world shattered into white-hot pieces.

I lunged forward, grabbing a fistful of his dress shirt.

"You don't know?! You're a liar! How could you possibly not know?!"

"I worked on it for a solid month! Right there in our apartment!"

Tiffany rushed over, her nails digging into my wrist as she pried me off him.

"Scarlett! Control yourself! This isn't the place for your tantrums! Get a grip! Or see a therapist! What are you even babbling about?!"

"You're just an intern! A junior clerk! How on earth could you produce work of this caliber? Be serious!"

Tiffany was shrewd.

She knew exactly where to strike.

Instantly, the skeptical eyes of every manager swung back to me.

The manager glared at HR.

"What kind of screening are you doing? Are we bringing emotionally unstable individuals into this firm?"

The HR manager flushed, scrambling to his feet. "Scarlett! That's completely out of line! You need to leave. Now!"

Tiffany shot me a look of pure, unadulterated triumph.

Killing two birds with one stone.

Steal my work to secure her own position, and get the inconvenient ex-girlfriend out the door.

Staring at these two utterly shameless people, I felt a scream building in my throat.

"Out! Get out!" The HR manager tried to usher me. "Go pack your desk! You're finished here!"

I shook off his hand away, a cold, humorless laugh escaping me. "You should've waited to steal the final version, Tiffany."

"What Ethan gave you was a draft. It has critical flaws. There are flaws. Didn't you even bother to check?"

Tiffany froze.

The color drained from her face, replaced by a panic she desperately tried to mask.

"Flaws? You're just making things up now!"

"Scarlett, I said you're done here!"

HR reached for me again, but the department manager held up a hand, his interest piqued.

"Hold on. Let her finish."

"Scarlett," he said, his voice measured. "you mentioned flaws. What are they?"

I glanced at Tiffany, now pale and struggling to maintain her composure.

I walked past her, directly to the presentation laptop, and pulled up my actual proposal file.

"First, regarding the Skyward partnership data," I began, my voice steady and clear. "Tiffany's proposal states Skyward currently has 13 million active users. That's wrong."

"Based on my updated researchwhich accounts for duplicate and inactive accountstheir verifiable user base is closer to 9 million. Therefore, the premium pricing model she advocated for is unsustainable."

"Second, Skyward's credit isn't as solid as claimed. Their website doesn't show it, but I found records of an unresolved bad debt from 2021. That could pose a serious risk to their cash flow and, by extension, to any partnership!"

I looked straight at Tiffany, a sharp, knowing smile touching my lips. "Tiffany, you just took the file and ran with it, didn't you? Didn't even bother to understand the nuances."

"Maybe you should stick to ordering lunch for the team. Strategy seems a bit out of your depth."

The manager's expression turned gave. "A bad debt? Show me."

I walked over, handed him the printed due diligence page. He scanned it quickly, his brow frowning. "I do vaguely recall hearing about that Skyward issue. You're right."

The moment the words left his mouth, Tiffany looked as if she might be sick. Ethan looked like he'd swallowed poison.

The room understood. Crystal clear.

"Tiffany," the manager's voice was cold.

"Ambition is commendable. The methods you've chosen are not."

"Manager, please, it's not what it looks like" Tiffany swayed, voice trembling. "Please, let me explain"

"Enough! Scarlett, bring the full proposal to my office later." The manager cut her off with a sharp gesture, gave her and Ethan a final, disapproving look before striding out of the conference room..

I gave Tiffany my sweetest smile, relishing her furious, clenched-jaw expression.

"Don't get too cocky," she hissed, eyes narrowed.

"Scarlett, my uncle is the VP! This won't touch me!"

I simply rolled my eyes, too final, disapproving look before striding out of the conference room., and walked out.