Chapter 5 The Mistress Mistake

Chapter 5

The Mistress Mistake

Her feigned resistance only fueled Tony's primal urges. Unable to restrain himself any longer, he ignored her struggles and thrust into her with relentless force.

Cassandra wanted nothing more than to slap him dead, but the excruciating pain left her gasping for air.

She tried to push him away, yet couldn't deny the pleasure he forced upon her. Anger and shame burned through her, staining her cheeks crimson all the way to the tips of her ears.

"Hngh!"

With a low grunt, Tony stilled, his weight pressing down on her. His cold lips curled into a mocking smirk as he gazed at her flushed face, his voice dripping with disdain. "I underestimated you. Your talent for seducing men is truly... impressive."

Cassandra lay sprawled across the office desk, her clear eyes locked onto his. His sharp, chiseled features were framed by disheveled bangs that half-covered his dark, star-like eyes-mesmerizing, dangerous. The kind of man women fantasized about, yet here he was, tangled with her.

She didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He had taken her by force, ignored her protests, and now had the audacity to accuse her of seducing him? Unbelievable.

Shoving him off, she dressed in silence, her movements stiff. Standing before him, she met his gaze with icy resolve. "Even if you're my direct superior, that doesn't give you the right to humiliate me, President Tomzy. I'm your secretary, not some cheap fling. My life is already a mess-spare me the slander."

The injustice of it all surged within her, tears welling up, but she refused to let them fall. She might have come from the countryside, but she had her pride. In all her years as his secretary, she had never crossed the line.

Tony studied her stubborn expression and glistening eyes, an unfamiliar pang striking his chest. For the first time, he really looked at her-no thick glasses, just silky black hair cascading over her shoulders, flawless porcelain skin. She wasn't plain at all. She was... beautiful.

For a fleeting moment, he wanted to pull her into his arms.

The impulse vanished as quickly as it came, replaced by cold fury. He straightened abruptly, gripping her chin with bruising force, his voice like frozen steel. "Who gave you the nerve? If it wasn't seduction, then what? The company has changing rooms-why strip bare right next to my office?"

Cassandra flinched under his glare, her eyes darting away. She had no defense.

She wouldn't admit it, but fear coiled in her gut. Crossing Tony was dangerous-he could crush her without a second thought.

But she couldn't afford to die yet. Not when there were still people who deserved payback.

Drawing a shaky breath, she softened her tone. "My apologies, President Tomzy. It was my mistake. If there's nothing else... I'll take my leave."

He was Tony, a man not to be trifled with. Even if he had taken advantage of her, she had no choice but to swallow her pride.

Releasing his grip, Tony straightened his clothes and said coldly, "The cocktail party at eight-you're coming with me."

He didn't have an official girlfriend, so for years, she had been the one accompanying him to these events. Tonight would be no exception.

Cassandra's expression faltered. "Can't you take someone else tonight? I have something to do."

It was already 7:40, and the loan sharks were expecting her. If she showed up late...

Tony barely glanced at her before walking away, his voice devoid of emotion. "Unless you don't want this job anymore..."

Cassandra clenched her fists. How naïve of her to expect any mercy from this heartless man. Between her job and borrowing money, she had no choice but to choose the former.

Gritting her teeth, she glared at his retreating figure before reluctantly trailing after him like a chastened kitten.

The venue was the most luxurious hotel in Tennessee Grand Hotel, a place frequented only by the wealthy and powerful. For someone like Cassandra, stepping foot inside alone was unthinkable. A single dish here could cost half her monthly salary.

A sleek Cadillac pulled up outside the hotel. The door swung open, revealing a pair of long legs clad in polished black dress shoes. The moment Tony's devastatingly handsome face appeared, a barrage of camera flashes and feminine squeals erupted.

Cassandra rolled her eyes. What was the big deal? He wasn't some celebrity-just an obscenely rich, scheming bastard. Anyone who idolized him must be blind.

Before she could dwell on it further, Tony strode inside. She hurried after him, knowing her role as both his subordinate and his plus-one required absolute professionalism.

She had assumed it would be just another corporate event. But in this high-society setting, she never expected to run into the one person she loathed with every fiber of her being.

Seth.

Watching him approach with a portly middle-aged man, her fingers curled into fists at her sides, her teeth grinding audibly. But given her position, she couldn't afford to make a scene.

"President Tomzy, what an honor to meet you. I'm the chairman of Diary Group. Running into you today is truly my good fortune," the portly man said with an ingratiating smile.

Tony gave him a cursory glance before responding indifferently, "You flatter me." Without another word, he strode alone toward the center of the hotel ballroom.

Just as Cassandra was about to follow, someone yanked her back sharply. A mocking voice sneered, "Well, aren't you full of surprises? Even with those compromising photos and videos circulating online, you still managed to cling to your position as the president's secretary."

Cassandra wrenched her arm free, eyes blazing with fury. "Don't get too cocky. The day will come when I make you pay for every ounce of pain you've inflicted on me!"

"Humph!" Seth scoffed. "Still putting on a brave face, are we? Let's see what you're really made of."

"Try me." Cassandra squared her shoulders, her usually clear eyes now glinting with steely determination. This version of her-unyielding and fierce-was something Seth had never seen before. Momentarily stunned, he quickly recovered with a scowl, but she had already turned on her heel and walked away.

Moving through the hotel lobby with Tony, Cassandra drew appreciative glances despite her modest attire-her efficiency and poise spoke louder than any flashy outfit.

Perhaps due to her foul mood, Cassandra felt lightheaded after just a few drinks. She excused herself to splash water on her face in the restroom, only to find Seth lurking like a specter in the hallway.

"What's this? Can't hold your liquor anymore?" he taunted. "I remember you having a much higher tolerance. Or are you trying to get drunk enough to seduce your precious president into helping you reclaim your property?"

His lip curled in disgust. "Honestly, if you're planning to win him over, you'll need to up your game. With that frumpy look of yours, I'm surprised he hasn't fired you out of sheer revulsion."

Cassandra's chest heaved with barely contained rage. Unable to endure another second of his venom, she raised her hand to strike-only for Seth to catch her wrist midair. "Think you can hit me?" he snarled. "Don't overestimate yourself."

"Save yourself the trouble and hand over the house now," he spat, releasing her with a shove. "Otherwise, I'll make sure you regret it." With that, he stalked off, leaving her trembling in the corridor.

Cornered and humiliated, Cassandra slumped against the wall, shaking with fury and helplessness. Suddenly, a shadow loomed over her. Before she could react, a pair of hands hauled her upright so abruptly she nearly collided with the person's chest.

A cold voice sliced through the air above her: "Is this all you're capable of? Having you as my secretary is downright embarrassing."

Recognizing Tony's voice, Cassandra felt an unexpected lump form in her throat. "President..." she whispered, her voice barely steady.