At that moment, Leander’s brow furrowed in confusion, his mind racing at the mention of the CEO's wife.

His body shook like a leaf, but with everyone's eyes darted on him, he knew he had to maintain some dignity, even in this mess.

Instead, he shifted his annoyance in my direction, snapping, “Seren, toss that ridiculous ring aside immediately! Don’t ever let me see it on your finger again. Remember your place!”

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes, feeling a mix of annoyance and disbelief.

“I haven’t said a single word since this morning. How exactly am I pretending to be the CEO’s wife?” I shot back.

“This ring was given to me by my boyfriend back in high school. It may not look like much, but it holds great sentimental value,” I added, hoping to make my point clear.

Theia’s cheeks flushed with indignation.

“You’re lying! You just started wearing that ring today. All you’re doing is trying to pull the wool over everyone’s eyes!” Theia exclaimed, her voice rising in disbelief.

I casually pulled out a few photos and declared, “These are from a few years ago, and some from just a few months back. You can spot this ring in every single picture. Did I start scamming people ten years ago?”

My irritation seeped into my voice, making it less than gentle. After I finished speaking, I shot Theia with a disdainful glare.

Laughter bubbled up from somewhere in the office, making Theia’s cheeks burn a deeper shade of embarrassment.

3

Leander cleared his throat.

“Alright, everyone, it seems we have a misunderstanding here. Seren, I suggest you take a moment to apologize to Theia sincerely. Then we can consider this ring mess behind us. And as for that ring,” he added with a dismissive wave, “it’s best if you leave it at home. Have your boyfriend treat you to a diamond instead. If he can't afford it, why not buy one yourself? We pay you well enough; you shouldn’t feel the need to pinch pennies.”

Theia let out a sigh of relief, her tone dripping with sarcasm as she said, “Seren if this was all just a misunderstanding, why didn’t you clear the air sooner? Were you just waiting for me to embarrass myself on purpose?”

“I get it. You’ve got that sparkling diamond ring and a great husband, while I’m left with a simple band I’ve worn for over ten years. I can see why you might feel a twinge of envy,” she added. “But remember, everyone has their own path in life. Don’t let jealousy cloud your judgment about those who are better off.”

After hearing my words, the colleagues who had just laughed at Theia suddenly seemed to recall her status as the CEO’s wife. Their laughter faded, replaced by nods of agreement.

“Yeah, Seren, just apologize and put this behind you,” one colleague interjected, trying to smooth things over.

“Honestly, Theia has such a big heart. Don’t be ungrateful,” another added, admiringly glancing at Theia.

“If it was a misunderstanding, you should’ve spoken up sooner,” a third colleague pointed out. “Just look at how upset Theia got!”

I could sense the weight of pressure as the situation began to turn in their favor.

The entire situation seemed completely outrageous.

With nothing more than a cubic zirconia ring and a few backhanded comments, my colleagues eagerly turned their admiration toward Theia, leaving me to bear the brunt of their scorn. It struck me as more contrived than the most predictable movie script.

With a playful smirk, I declared, “Apologize? Not a chance. Let's take this to HR if you’re convinced of my guilt. I’ll gladly discuss it with the CEO if they side with you!”

Leander’s face flushed with embarrassment, frustration simmering just beneath the surface.

Just as he was about to unleash his fury, Theia interjected with a voice as cold as ice. “Let’s not create a scene. I won’t allow my first day of marriage to be tainted by this foolishness. We’ll sweep this under the rug. Now, everyone, resume your duties!”

Leander swallowed his words and awkwardly pointed at my desk, “Well, uh, stop causing drama every day and focus on your actual work. Get that project proposal done.”

4

And just like that, this ridiculous scene was brushed aside.

In the days that followed, Theia strutted around the office like royalty. Someone was always ready to fetch her water, while others took turns treating her to meals. She was living the dream.

As for me, I was cast aside like an unwanted object, ignored by my colleagues.

No one extended a hand of kindness, and gossip buzzed around the office like flies, speculating on when Theia was bound to scheme for my downfall, paving the way for my dismissal.

Watching them trip over themselves to please her was ridiculous, and it was hard not to laugh.

A thought crept in, wondering if when the mask finally slipped off Theia’s face, perhaps they would swallow their pride and regret all this shameless behavior.

A week later, Theia sauntered over, expression oozing with arrogance.

“You’ve finished that project proposal, haven’t you? Go ahead and hand it over; I’ll review it for you,” she asserted with arrogance.

I held her gaze without flinching. “I think I’ll pass,” I responded, arms crossed, firmly standing my ground.

It was the first time Theia had faced rejection in a week, and it struck a nerve.

However, after our last encounter, she must have recognized that intimidation wouldn't work on me.

With a hint of desperation, she adjusted her tone, attempting to weave warmth into her words.

“Seren, you don’t get the pressure that comes with being the CEO’s wife,” she said, her voice tinged with desperation. “My husband expects me to step up, but I’ve been so wrapped up with my in-laws lately that I haven’t had a moment to focus on a project proposal. Just hand yours over, please. I need something solid to show I’m more than a pretty face. You don’t have anything to prove, so I’m counting on you here, okay?”

As expected, my colleagues quickly flocked to Theia's side, speaking up without hesitation.

One of them piped up, “Remember who holds the purse strings. The fact that she’s reaching out shows she values your work. Don't be ungrateful.”

Another added, “Come on! A proposal from you won’t carry the same weight as one from her.”

“Quit being so stingy. Theia isn’t even upset with you. Just hand it over already. If she appreciated my proposal, I’d gladly let her have it,” one colleague interjected, eager to win favor.

Theia smirked and countered, “That’s right! Seren, just pass me your proposal, and I’ll have a word with my husband about getting you a raise and promotion. Sounds like a win-win, doesn’t it?”

5

“I see you lounging around at work every day, then hitting the shops after hours. When do you even have time to deal with your in-laws? When have you ever put in the effort to prove yourself?” I challenged Theia. “And let’s be real—you’re the CEO’s wife now. Why not kick back and enjoy the good life instead of making a fool of yourself like this?”

Then, I glanced at the crowd of curious colleagues surrounding us. “If you all have so much sympathy for Theia, why not contribute your proposals or collaborate with her to create a new one? Stop acting generous with someone else’s hard work.”

The colleagues squirmed in their seats, yet none dared to speak up.

With that, I powered down my computer and strode out of the office, leaving the tension hanging in the air behind me.

The next day, as I prepared for the project presentation, I smoothed my clothes and stepped forward, only for Theia to materialize out of thin air, cutting in front of me.

“Seren, I’d love to take the lead today,” she declared with a feigned sweetness. “You don’t mind, do you? Consider it an opportunity to save the best for last—a grand finale, if you will. You should thank me for this chance.”

Even as she spoke with a fake smile, Theia didn’t pause for a response before she plugged in her USB drive and launched her presentation. With every slide she clicked through, my frustration simmered, and my hands gradually balled into tight fists.

When she wrapped up, the meeting room burst into genuine applause—not just a show of flattery but a testament to the brilliance of her proposal.

Leander rose to his feet, clapping vigorously as he declared, “Just as I expected from Theia! This proposal is exceptional. We needn’t even look at the others, let’s move forward with this one!”

Theia flashed a disarming smile and said, “Oh, no, that wouldn’t be fair. Seren also put a lot of effort into her proposal, and we should consider it before rushing to a decision. I wouldn’t want you all jeopardizing the company just to butter me up.”

6

After hearing her, Leander shot me a skeptical look and remarked, “What kind of solid proposal could she possibly come up with? Theia, you’re far too generous, but sometimes reality isn’t kind.”

Theia, clearly enjoying the moment, retorted, “You can’t dismiss her like that. Seren is more than capable. I genuinely want to see her proposal. Even if it’s not our top choice, it could serve as a valuable backup.”

Leander nodded eagerly, his tone dripping with insincerity as he turned to me. “Didn’t you catch what Theia said? Get a move on and present your proposal. Do we have to beg you?”

He smirked, "Just look at how gracious Theia is. She doesn’t even hold your past blunders against you. Having a colleague like her, or should I say, the boss’s wife, is a real blessing for you.”

I chuckled, the sound as cold as ice, and met Leander's gaze without moving an inch.

"You’ve already praised my proposal," I replied, my voice laced with quiet confidence. "You just didn’t know it was mine."

Leander's brow furrowed in confusion. "What’s that supposed to mean?" he shot back, the irritation growing in his tone.

I gestured toward the screen, my voice steady as I declared, “That’s my proposal. Yesterday, Theia asked for it, and when I refused, she took it for herself and presented it today without a second thought.”

In an instant, Theia’s eyes filled with tears. She feigned a pitiful sob, her voice quivering as she said, “Seren, I know I misjudged you about the ring last time, but fabricating stories isn’t fair! I poured my heart into this proposal last night. Everyone here can back me up on that. If you don’t believe me, just ask them.”

The colleagues nodded in unison, their expressions betraying nothing as they blatantly laid out their lies. One interjected, “Absolutely, we all witnessed it.”

Another added, “You clearly dropped the ball on this one. You’ve been coasting through work every day, and now you’re trying to pin it on someone else.”

A third voice piped up with a smirk, “You’re just hooked on winning after what happened last time, aren’t you?”

As the mocking persisted, the unmistakable voice of my husband, CEO Dorian Solstice, burst through the door, carrying an air of authority. “What’s happening here? Why is there such an uproar?”

7

I gave Dorian a subtle smile, an unspoken assurance that I could manage this situation on my own. Just as I prepared to speak, Leander dashed over, his voice a mix of urgency and indignation.

“President Solstice! I’m Leander Anderson, head of the planning department,” he exclaimed, hands waving in the thin air. “You won’t believe what’s happening here. Seren is accusing your wife, Theia, of stealing her proposal, but the truth is, it’s the other way around! She took it from Theia!”

Theia lingered to the side, her eyes shimmering with fabricated tears as she nodded with exaggerated solemnity.

“Absolutely, that’s what transpired,” she proclaimed, her voice trembling. “While I believe that misunderstandings among colleagues can be cleared up, plagiarism crosses a line that simply cannot be tolerated.”

“Plagiarism?” Dorian’s brow furrowed as he shot me a knowing glance, fully aware that this was nothing more than a baseless accusation. He had been by my side every step of the way while I crafted that proposal. I had not only the content to back me up but also a willing witness if the situation called for it.

Theia tossed her hair back. “Yes, that’s precisely it,” she declared as if her confidence could turn falsehoods into truth.

But Dorian remained focused on me, his gaze steady.

“Seren, is there any truth to this? Did you plagiarize?” He asked, his voice firm yet gentle, seeking the truth beneath the chaos.

Shaking my head, I cleared my name out of their baseless claims, “No, Mr. Solstice. This proposal is entirely my work, and the proof lies right there. My name is on the final slide. It seems someone was so eager to claim my work that they forgot to change the last image.”

Theia's expression twisted into a guise of false innocence as she quickly regained her composure.

“Is that really what you’re hanging your hat on?” She said, dripping with pretend concern. “The template was something you shared with me—the welcome slide at the beginning and the thank-you slide at the end were yours. But the content in between? That’s all mine. I have a whole chorus of colleagues ready to back me up. So tell me, what good does that single slide do for you? If you’re truly as capable as you claim, perhaps you should find your own witness.”

Dorian said with a knowing smirk, clearly amused by the situation. “I wonder if I’d be enough of a witness?”