"Just do your job, and I won't say a word to you," I said.

Matteo exhaled in relief, but a cold laugh crackled through the phone. In an instant, his body stiffened, and his hands started to tremble.

I was baffled by the extent of his fear for Lauren. Before I could ask, she snapped over the phone, "Matteo, you spoke eight words to her! Did I permit you to say her name?"

...

Her possessiveness was downright morbid, and my head throbbed.

I opened my mouth to respond, but Sarah quickly covered it. "Don't say anything."

Her voice was almost a whisper, but Lauren's ears were sharp. "Turn on the video, Matteo! Let me see how many women are around you."

Matteo clenched his fists, licking his dry lips before responding softly, "My coworkers are back from lunch. That's all."

"Back from lunch?" Lauren screeched. "Why didn't you tell me? Turn on the video, now!"

He hesitated, then activated the camera, panning it quickly over us.

"Why is she wearing the same shirt as you?" Lauren pointed at Sarah, her eyes blazing.

Sarah shot back, "Matteo and I are just wearing the uniform. We all wear it."

"Don't you dare say his name!" Lauren growled, her accusations growing wilder. "And why isn't Jennifer in a uniform? You're all scheming to steal my boyfriend! This whole shop is rotten, from the manager to the staff!"

Matteo's face flushed with embarrassment, but Lauren's insults escalated.

Finally, I interjected, "I'm the manager. I don't wear the same uniform as the staff. Stop disrupting our work."

She went silent for a moment, then laughed mockingly, "Fine, I'll support your work. Connect me to your shop's cameras. I'm watching to make sure no one flirts with Matteo. If I catch any of you near him, I'll have this place torn down."

Her voice echoed through the shop, drawing frowns from the returning staff.

"We only talk to Matteo about work," one protested.

"If you're so paranoid, lock him up at home," another echoed.

Lauren shrieked, "You tramps! Don't you know the customer is always right?"

Matteo, pale and apologetic, looked at us helplessly.

Lauren glared at me through the screen, demanding, "Connect the cameras now! Tell Matteo to take off his uniform, and all you harlots write a pledge to stay away from him."

My heart pounded with rage. Before I could say anything, Matteo stepped back, muttering, "Don't do it."

Sarah grabbed my arm. "Jennifer, don't give in to her."

Matteo lowered his head, looking fragile. My coworkers shook with anger. "We can't agree to such nonsense!"

Silent, I stepped closer to him and locked eyes with Lauren through the screen. She smirked triumphantly. "Write that pledge! I want Matteo to strip, and none of you should look up."

I snatched Matteo's phone and ended the call, cutting off Lauren's toxic demands.

Rubbing my throbbing temples, I said, "Don't worry. I'm not doing that. Everyone, back to work."

...

The drama faded into the chaos of the next rush.

During a break, a man with a headquarters badge stormed in. His eyes swept across the room before locking onto me. "Jennifer Sargent? I'm James Wilson, head office supervisor. Do you realize what you've done? Seducing a customer's boyfriend and ignoring her reasonable requests? Because of you, we've got hundreds of complaints!"

Incredulous, I pulled over Matteo and pointed at his uniform. "She demanded my staff write pledges and asked Matteo to strip in public. Is that reasonable?"

I pulled out a stack of refund receipts, each scrawled with Lauren's address and vicious notes.

[Jennifer, you hung up on me? You're finished!]

[You little tramp, think you can defy me? I'll shut down your shop!]

Shaking with anger, I glared at James. "She is disrupting our work and complaining about me? You know what? Let's call the police and let them sort it out."

"Do you have any idea who you're dealing with?" he sneered. "She is the daughter of our biggest investor. If she pulls her money, the company is done. Can you handle that?"

His words made me laugh. If she were the investor's daughter, then who was I?

Before I could respond, he shoved a file into my hands. "You'd better do everything she wants, or no one's saving your job."

I opened the file, frowning at a list of absurd demands.

As the manager, I must make 500 smoothies daily, and for Lauren's orders, I must deliver with Matteo in ten minutes. Also, I must monitor the staff to ensure they don't get too close to Matteo.

Every night, I must send Lauren a detailed report of Matteo's actions and words by midnight. During her feedback, I must bow and avoid eye contact.

The list went on, but I didn't bother reading further. My gaze was fixed on James. "Who is Lauren's dad, exactly?"

Just then, his phone rang. He answered, his tone turning obsequious. "Mr. Miller, I'm handling it."

A scornful voice came through. "Handling it? It's been hours! A mere manager dares to upset my daughter? Fix this, or I'm pulling my investment!"

James paled, assuring him, "Don't worry, sir. In thirty minutes, the manager will come and apologize to her."

I sneered, recognizing that man's voice.

Three years ago, my dad hired his distant cousin, Tom Miller, as his driver. Apparently, Tom had been using my dad's name to throw his weight around.

I pulled out my phone and texted him: [Uncle Tom, get to the smoothie shop and look what your daughter has done.]

As the message was sent, a mocking voice rang out.

...

Lauren appeared, raising an eyebrow. "Uncle Tom? Trying to cozy up to my dad?"

She studied my face and yelped, "Or are you planning to seduce him with that pretty face?"

I stared at her, noting her striking resemblance to Tom, and said calmly, "When your heart's corrupt, everything looks dirty."

A sharp slap landed heavily on my face. I turned my head instinctively, my cheek burning.

Lauren shook her hand and raised her chin. "Who do you think you are, talking to me like that? A nobody manager! I could crush you with one finger. If you want to keep your job, apologize to me now."

I clutched my stinging cheek, fury rising. I was managing this shop because my dad wanted me to prove myself by boosting sales before taking over the company. I never expected to be humiliated by an imposter.

Losing no time, I made a call. "Dad, I'm being trampled by a fraud."

Before I could finish, Lauren grabbed my hair, yanking hard. "Who are you calling a fraud? You're the one pretending to be daddy's girl!"

Pain seared my scalp, and I cried out.

James stood by, making no move to stop Lauren. Instead, he fawned over her. "Careful, Ms. Miller, don't hurt yourself."

To me, he barked, "Jennifer, apologize now!"

Even a worm would turn, and I had never been known for my patience. I twisted a soft spot on her arm, and she yelped, "You witch, how dare you fight back!"

The commotion alarmed the staff, and Matteo rushed up. "Lauren? What are you doing here?"

He stepped between us, his voice hoarse. "Lauren, stop this. I need this job. My mom is counting on me for her medical bills."

She glared at him and spewed venom. "Are you working here for your dying mom or this tramp? Cross me, and I'll cut off her medicine!"

Matteo's pride flared. "You always threaten me with this. Why don't I just wear a leash and be your dog?"

Lauren sneered, slapping him across the face. "You are my dog!"

She pulled out her phone and ordered, "Stop Pamela Velez's medicine!"

Turning back to him, she scoffed, "I'd like to see how long you can tough it up."

Matteo's eyes reddened, his voice breaking. "Lauren, I was wrong."

Unable to bear the sight, I yanked him up. "I'm the one funding your mom's treatment. My dad is the real investor in this company. Lauren is just the daughter of his driver."

Lauren cackled, "Have you lost it? Everyone knows the biggest investor is a Miller. You, a Sargent, think you're his daughter? You need a lesson!"

She raised her foot to kick me, but a figure dashed out to stop her.

I looked up and met Tom's eyes.