Chapter 1 Forbidden Relationship

The afternoon sunlight streamed into the CEO's office, scattering light and shadows across the man and the woman entwined on the desk.

Joanna Peters lay across the chilly surface, her hair disheveled, her slender waist propped up by the man.

The position was extremely uncomfortable, yet she remained silent.

This silence was mandated by the phone pressed against her chest, broadcasting an ongoing call. A sweet, feminine voice floated from the speaker. "Anthony, remember you promised to take me shopping today. Don't forget..."

Anthony Dixon's fingers delicately traced her collarbone, gliding down her body's contours.

Joanna shivered, about to moan, but Anthony quieted her with a quick kiss.

"I won't forget," he replied softly to the woman on the phone, his actions contrasting with his gentle tone.

He then tightened his grip on Joanna's waist, causing her to wince in pain. The phone clattered onto the desk.

"Anthony?" The woman's voice came through, tinged with worry. "What was that noise?"

"Nothing," Anthony responded, his voice smooth.

He then stood up and grabbed the phone. "Lately, Joanna's been messing up at work. She even let my phone slip through her fingers."

"Joanna was handling your phone? While you were on the line with me - your fiancée?"

The emphasis on "fiancée" made Joanna wince, a wave of bitterness washing over her as she listened.

Madisyn Tucker, the woman Anthony had pledged to marry, had been his love for many years.

She vanished for a long stretch only to reappear recently, resuming her place by Anthony's side.

In contrast, Joanna was just the secretary and a substitute for Madisyn's absence.

Three years prior, disaster had struck her family - the Peters Group encountered severe issues, her father Henrik Peters suffered a stroke leaving him incapacitated, and her brother Kyson Peters was wrongfully imprisoned. The Peters family teetered on the edge of financial ruin.

All responsibilities had piled on Joanna.

Desperate, she remembered hearing about Anthony's lost love who bore a resemblance to her.

Leveraging this, she approached Anthony for help with the Peters Group. In exchange, he had one condition. She had to become his lover.

Driven perhaps by obsession or profound affection for the woman Joanna resembled, Anthony not only resolved the crisis for the Peters Group but also vindicated Kyson, securing his release from prison.

Since resolving these troubles, Joanna had remained by Anthony's side, filling in for Madisyn.

Standing before the expansive floor-to-ceiling window, Joanna caught her reflection in the glass, her cheeks burning with shame.

She quickly turned away, unable to bear the sight of her and Anthony together.

Just as Joanna braced for Madisyn to voice suspicions about her and Anthony, Madisyn spoke with unexpected understanding. "You must be swamped with work, and managing the boss' phone is just part of a secretary's duties. It's a minor mistake. Anthony, don't be too hard on Joanna."

How understanding. Joanna scoffed inwardly.

"Joanna, thanks for looking after Anthony," Madisyn called out, her voice louder to reach across the distance.

At that moment, Joanna was feeling Anthony's unwelcome touch once more, caught off guard by Madisyn's sudden interruption.

She met Anthony's gaze, hesitated briefly, then mustered her remaining strength to respond with a calm she didn't feel. "Miss Tucker, it's part of my job. Thanks for your concern."

"Joanna, are you okay? Your voice sounds off..."

"Madisyn, I have things to handle," Anthony interjected, his tone casual without a hint of impatience. "I'll pick you up later."

Joanna's body shook uncontrollably.

She felt her heart pounding in her throat and covered her mouth with her hand, terrified of making any noise that might carry over the phone.

Anthony, who was standing behind her, however, seemed determined to continue his torment, moving in ways that nearly made her cry out.

Oblivious to the distress on the other end, Madisyn bubbled over with joy. "So it's all set then."

The moment the call ended, Joanna's stifled moans escaped, soft and quivering.

The indignity of being used while he chatted up his fiancée overwhelmed her, and through clenched teeth, she muttered, "Anthony, you've lost your mind..."

Reflected in the glass, she saw his muscular torso and, for the first time, a flicker of emotion in his usually indifferent gaze as he looked down at her, observing her face flush with a potent mix of desire and dread.

"When you begged to sleep with me, did you ever consider this moment?" Anthony taunted, straightening his posture.

Tears welled up in Joanna's eyes, eventually overflowing and trailing down her smooth, delicate cheeks.

A few tears reached her lips.

Bitter.

For three years, Joanna had concealed her true self, endeavoring to appease Anthony by emulating his lost love - submissive and gentle.

She rationalized that Anthony had aided her, believing it justified his use of her as a stand-in, a mere transaction.

Regrettably, she had fallen in love with him during this charade.

Joanna labored tirelessly, day and night, meeting clients and managing projects, far exceeding her responsibilities as a secretary, all to bring in more business for Anthony's firm as a form of repayment.

Her relentless drive had led to several health issues, which Anthony noted but did nothing to mitigate.

Joanna had planned to confess her feelings once she felt she had adequately reciprocated his kindness, hoping to transform their relationship from patron and proxy to one of mutual and simple love.

But then Madisyn returned, recapturing all of Anthony's focus.

Joanna realized then that she could never supplant the one true occupant of Anthony's heart.

"Don't get distracted."

Anthony gently turned her face back toward his, pleased with her reaction.

He didn't pull away until a warm sensation filled her.

Joanna slumped onto the chilly, smooth marble floor. Her heated, striking reflection stared back at her from the surface, her skin dotted with the imprints of kisses.

Yet, Anthony was already by the desk, his suit immaculate, appearing untouched by their recent intimacy.

Ignoring the discomfort, Joanna headed to the dressing room to fetch a spare suit for Anthony.

By the time she returned, Anthony had finished his shower and was seated in his chair, lighting a cigarette. He exhaled slowly, his expression unreadable as he glanced her way.

A shiver ran down Joanna's spine.

His eyes were icy as he looked at her.

Joanna, ever the obedient and gentle companion, had always moved in perfect harmony with him in their intimate moments.

He seemed content, his voice carrying a hint of condescension. "Your family's bid for that project land in the south end of the city? No need to continue."

Stunned, Joanna faced Anthony, confusion etched across her features.

The land was worth at least thirty million.

Anthony had always been generous with her, but to offer such a large sum at once... what could it imply?

"Mr. Dixon, this is..."

Anthony appeared pleased with her startled look, lifting her chin tenderly. "This is your reward."

It was a reward for her stellar performance in bed.

He was always generous toward her, but offering her a piece of project land, one that was government-funded no less, was beyond lavish.

Joanna remained silent for a moment before saying, "I prefer to see how the bidding goes."

She was aware that without Anthony's influence, her family's chances of winning the bid were nearly nonexistent.

"Stay on your best behavior, and there'll be more where that came from in the future," Anthony murmured in a resonant tone.

Joanna looked up, her confusion growing.

What future were they headed towards?

She quickly masked her concern with a bright smile, her eyes sparkling seductively as she softly said, "Thank you, Mr. Dixon."

A faint smile played on Anthony's thin lips, his dark eyes mysterious and slightly contemptuous.

After issuing his instructions, Anthony walked away to handle other affairs.

Joanna gazed at the documents scattered across the desk, her emotions tangled.

Just then, the wall-mounted TV flickered to life, displaying breaking news, and an image briefly captured Joanna's attention.

She grabbed the remote and turned the volume higher.

"Madisyn Tucker, the heiress to Proria Group, and Anthony Dixion from Dixon Group are scheduled for a lavish wedding. A match made in heaven - childhood friends who are now set to wed, their love as romantic and perfect as a fairy tale."

A bitter laugh escaped her.

That made sense.

A piece of project land was given in return for her continued role as his secret lover, his mistress hidden away from view.

Her stomach suddenly turned.

Joanna rushed to the bathroom, gripping the sink and gagging.

Looking up, she saw her reflection in the mirror, her lips already colorless.

She understood that even after three years, she hadn't truly grasped Anthony's character.

He was on the verge of marrying his childhood sweetheart but still clung to her, Madisyn's stand-in.

After refreshing her makeup, she looked intently at her reflection.

Her voice was steady yet resolute. "I'm done being the substitute!"