A week had passed since Rita had confronted her father about her place in the family business. The heated discussion still echoed in her mind, but she remained firm in her decision. Unlike her brothers, who had been groomed from childhood to take over the company, Rita wanted to carve her own path. If she were to prove herself, it wouldn't be by walking into the boardroom as a privileged heiress. She would start from the bottom and earn her way up.

Dressed in a modest blouse and pencil skirt, Rita stepped into Blackwood Enterprises as an ordinary employee. She had refused any special treatment from her father, insisting that if she was to learn how the company truly operated, she had to experience it from the ground level. Her official title: Junior Secretary in the Administration Department.

The buzzing atmosphere of the open office space was a stark contrast to the luxurious top-floor suites where her father and brothers spent their days. Rita took a deep breath, adjusting to the unfamiliar environment. Employees bustled around, typing furiously, answering phones, and running between departments with files in hand. This was where the real work happened-the foundation of the empire her father had built.

"You must be the new secretary!" a cheerful voice broke her thoughts. She turned to see a young woman with glasses and a friendly smile. "I'm Linda. Welcome to the administration department. Mr. Harris, our department head, will be assigning you tasks. Don't worry; he's strict but fair."

Rita smiled. "Nice to meet you, Linda. I'm Rita."

Linda's brows furrowed slightly, as if recognizing the name, but she said nothing. It was clear that the employees were unaware of her true identity, just as she had hoped.

Shortly after, Mr. Harris, a stern-looking man in his fifties, appeared. He gave Rita a once-over before handing her a stack of papers. "Your first task is organizing these files. Everything needs to be categorized properly before the end of the day."

Rita nodded, rolling up her sleeves. She spent the rest of the day filing documents, making coffee runs, and answering calls. By the end of her shift, she was exhausted, but a sense of satisfaction filled her. She was beginning to understand the effort behind the company's success.

Meanwhile, her brothers, Andrew, Nathan, and Lucas, were less than pleased when they heard about her decision.

"This is ridiculous," Nathan scoffed. "Does she really think working as a secretary is going to prepare her to run a billion-dollar empire?"

Lucas chuckled. "She'll probably quit within a week. She's never done real work in her life."

Andrew, however, remained silent. He had always underestimated Rita, but a part of him was curious. Could she really prove them wrong?

As the days went by, Rita continued her work diligently. She built relationships with her colleagues, learned about company policies, and observed how decisions made at the top trickled down to the lower levels. She was determined to prove, not just to her father and brothers, but to herself, that she belonged in this company.

And she would do it on her own terms.

A week had passed since Rita officially joined her father's company. Unlike what many expected, she refused to take a high-ranking position and instead chose to start at the bottom as a secretary. She wanted to earn her way up, to understand the company from its core, and prove to herself and others that she was more than just the CEO's daughter.

However, things didn't go as smoothly as she had envisioned.

From the moment she stepped into the office, whispers and judgmental stares followed her. Rita had anticipated some level of skepticism, but she never expected to become the target of outright hostility. Many of her colleagues, especially the female employees, viewed her as a threat. Her striking beauty and undeniable intelligence only fueled their resentment.

Rumors began circulating that she had joined the company not to work but to seduce the higher-ups and secure an easy promotion. Some accused her of using her charm to win favor with executives, while others saw her as a spoiled rich girl playing pretend. The jealousy was palpable, and the workplace environment turned toxic quickly.

Despite the rumors, Rita remained focused on her work. She handled every task diligently, double-checking her work to avoid giving anyone an opportunity to discredit her. But the more she excelled, the more enemies she made. Petty pranks, missing files, and false complaints became part of her daily challenges.

One particular morning, Rita found herself at the mercy of an unexpected setup. Mrs. Collins, a senior manager notorious for her sharp tongue and icy demeanor, had taken a particular disliking to her. Seeing Rita as a threat, she devised a plan to humiliate her in front of the company's most feared and respected figure-the director, Mr. Alden Monroe.

Rita was in the middle of sorting out some reports when Mrs. Collins approached her desk, an insincere smile plastered on her face.

"Rita, be a dear and take this coffee to Mr. Monroe," she said, handing her a steaming cup. "It's just how he likes it. Since you're eager to prove yourself, this will be a good way to show some initiative."

Rita hesitated for a moment. She had never been asked to do this before, but refusing might make her look uncooperative. She nodded politely and took the cup, making her way to the director's office.

As she entered, Mr. Monroe barely acknowledged her, engrossed in a set of documents. Carefully, she set the cup on his desk. Just as she turned to leave, she heard the sound of the cup being slammed down with force.

"What is this?" his deep voice thundered, making Rita freeze.

She turned back, confused. "Sir?"

Mr. Monroe's eyes burned with irritation. "Are you trying to test my patience? You expect me to drink this? I hate caramel macchiato! Who told you I drink this nonsense?"

Rita's stomach twisted in knots. She hadn't even thought to check the order, trusting Mrs. Collins' words. "I... I was asked to bring it to you, sir," she said carefully, her voice steady despite the anxiety bubbling inside her.

"Then maybe you should verify things before blindly obeying," he snapped. "I have no tolerance for incompetence. If you want to work here, learn to think for yourself!"

Rita could feel the burning gazes of those outside the office, eavesdropping on the humiliation. Heat rose to her cheeks, but she forced herself to remain composed. Taking a deep breath, she met his gaze and spoke with quiet confidence.

"I understand, sir. It won't happen again."

Mr. Monroe eyed her for a long moment before grunting. "See that it doesn't. Now get out."

Rita sat in her small office, exhausted but determined. The past few weeks had been grueling, with constant sabotage and hostility from her colleagues. Yet, she had stood her ground. Just as she was about to take a short break, the door creaked open, and her elder brother, Nathan, stepped inside.

"I heard you're having a tough time here," Nathan said, crossing his arms as he studied her face. "Is there something you're not telling me?"

Rita sighed, leaning back in her chair. "Nathan, I can handle it. I knew this wouldn't be easy, and I don't expect any special treatment. Let them think what they want-I'll prove them wrong."

Nathan shook his head, concern flashing in his eyes. "That's not the point. I know you're strong, but you don't have to fight this battle alone. And besides... you need to be more careful. You're pregnant, Rita. You shouldn't be stressing yourself out like this."

Rita tensed for a moment before regaining her composure. "I know my limits, Nathan. Just because I'm pregnant doesn't mean I'm weak. I won't let this stop me from achieving what I want."

Nathan sighed deeply, rubbing his temples. "I admire your determination, but don't be reckless. There are people in this company who want to see you fail, and they won't hesitate to use underhanded tactics. Don't let your pride blind you."

Rita stood up, meeting her brother's gaze with unwavering resolve. "I appreciate your concern, but this is my fight. I refuse to back down just because it's hard. I need to prove to myself that I can do this-not just for me, but for my child as well. I won't be seen as a helpless little girl hiding behind my father's name. I will make my own way."

Nathan watched her in silence for a moment before letting out a small chuckle. "You really are stubborn, just like Dad. Fine. But promise me you'll at least be careful. If you ever need help, don't be too proud to ask."

Rita smiled softly. "I promise. But trust me-I've got this."

Nathan wasn't entirely convinced, but he knew there was no stopping his sister when she had made up her mind. As he left her office, Rita sat back down, her hand unconsciously resting on her stomach.

"I will make this work," she whispered to herself. "No matter what."

The jealousy among her colleagues escalated, and no one was more determined to see Rita fail than Margaret, the department manager. Margaret had worked at the company for years, and the idea of the CEO's daughter getting recognition, even from the lower ranks, enraged her. If she couldn't get rid of Rita outright, she would make sure to break her spirit.

That evening, Margaret approached Rita's desk, a smug smile on her lips. "Rita, I need you to stay late today and go through these documents. They're critical for the quarterly report."

Rita glanced at the stack of papers Margaret placed before her. "Aren't these just past invoices? I don't see how-"

"Are you questioning my authority?" Margaret's voice turned sharp, drawing attention from nearby employees. "If you want to prove that you belong here, you'll do what's asked of you. Or are you expecting special treatment because of who your father is?"

Rita bit back her irritation and nodded. "Fine, I'll do it."

Margaret smirked and walked away. By the time Rita finished, the entire office was empty. Stretching her sore muscles, she decided to freshen up before heading home.

As she entered the washroom, the sound of the heavy door clicking shut behind her sent a chill down her spine. She turned back, only to realize there was no handle on the inside.

She was locked in.

Panic surged through her. She banged on the door, calling out, but there was no response. Her phone was on her desk, out of reach. The air in the confined space grew heavy, and for the first time in a long while, fear crept into her heart.

She was pregnant. She couldn't afford to be reckless. She had to get out.

Taking deep breaths, she forced herself to stay calm. Margaret had done this on purpose, but she wouldn't give her the satisfaction of breaking down. Rita searched the dimly lit space for any way out, her mind racing.

She had fought too hard to let this setback defeat her.

Little did she know, her absence would soon raise alarms-and when the truth came out, someone would pay dearly for underestimating her.

Nathan paced his office, his unease growing with every passing minute. His calls to Rita had gone unanswered, and it wasn't like her to go completely silent. The thought of her walking out into the night, carrying the weight of her pregnancy and workplace hostility, filled him with dread.

Unable to wait any longer, he grabbed his coat and headed straight for the company. Something didn't sit right with him, and his instincts screamed that Rita might be in trouble. As he drove through the quiet streets, his grip on the steering wheel tightened. Rita was strong, but even the strongest needed someone to watch their back.

When he arrived at the company building, the parking lot was nearly empty, save for a few security personnel stationed at the gates. Nathan approached the night supervisor, a middle-aged man with a sleepy demeanor, and flashed his company ID.

"I need access to the surveillance room," Nathan demanded, his voice firm.

The supervisor blinked, startled by the commanding presence of the CEO's son. "Sir, is there an issue?"

"There might be. My sister, Rita Moreau, was working late, and I haven't been able to reach her. I want to see the surveillance footage from the past few hours."

The supervisor hesitated but eventually nodded, leading Nathan to the dimly lit surveillance room. The room was filled with monitors, each displaying footage from various parts of the building. Nathan's sharp eyes scanned the screens as he gestured for the supervisor to rewind the footage of Rita's floor.

As the video played, Nathan's jaw tightened. The camera caught Margaret dumping a large stack of documents on Rita's desk and walking away with a smug expression. Then, it showed Rita dutifully working late into the evening, unaware of the trap being set for her. Finally, the footage revealed her entering the washroom-and moments later, Margaret returning to lock the door from the outside, glancing over her shoulder before leaving with a twisted smile.

Nathan's fists clenched, his fury bubbling to the surface. "She locked her in," he growled, his voice laced with venom. "Where's the key to the washroom?"

The supervisor scrambled to check his logs, his hands trembling under Nathan's glare. "It should still be in the manager's office," he stammered.

Nathan didn't wait for further explanation. He stormed out of the surveillance room, his long strides fueled by rage. Reaching Margaret's office, he slammed the door open, startling the janitor who was tidying up. Ignoring the man's protests, Nathan searched the desk drawers until he found a small silver key.

By the time he reached the washroom, Nathan's anger had boiled over. He unlocked the door in one swift motion, and there, huddled on the cold floor, was Rita. She looked up, her eyes wide with a mixture of relief and exhaustion.

"Nathan," she whispered, her voice cracking as tears welled in her eyes.

Without hesitation, Nathan knelt beside her and pulled her into a protective embrace. "I've got you," he murmured, his voice softer now. "You're safe."

Rita clung to him, her body trembling from both the cold and the emotions coursing through her. "They locked me in," she choked out. "Margaret did this."

Nathan's expression hardened. "I know," he said grimly. "I saw everything on the surveillance footage. She's going to pay for this, Rita. I promise you."

Helping her to her feet, Nathan guided her back to the car, wrapping his coat around her shoulders to keep her warm. Once she was settled, he turned to the security supervisor, who had followed them, looking thoroughly alarmed.

"Call Margaret," Nathan ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Tell her to come to the office immediately. And make sure every member of the executive board sees that footage by tomorrow morning."

The supervisor nodded quickly, hurrying to carry out Nathan's instructions. As Nathan climbed into the driver's seat and started the car, he glanced at Rita, who leaned against the window, her hand resting protectively on her stomach.

"You don't need to go back there, Rita," he said, his voice filled with both anger and concern. "You've proven enough already. Let me handle this."

But Rita shook her head, her determination shining through her exhaustion. "No, Nathan. I'm not letting them win. This was their attempt to break me, and it didn't work. I'll face them, and I'll fight back."