Chapter 10: Never Provoke The She-Devil

The sun had yet to rise, but Lillie was already awake. Three hours of sleep was enough for her.

She stretched her sore limbs as she stood from the warmth of her bed. Catching her reflection in the full-length mirror, she regarded herself with disdain.

Wrinkled clothes, a bird's nest for hair, smudged lipstick. If anyone saw her now, they'd probably leap out the nearest window.

Good thing she had warned Elliot never to enter her bedroom under any circumstances. If he did, he would come face to face with the real she-devil—literally.

With a sigh, Lillie entered the bathroom and let the warm shower wash away the remnants of fatigue. When she stepped out, her face was free of makeup, revealing unblemished, jade-white skin. Her once-weary blue eyes were now clear and piercing.

Wrapping herself in a plush pink towel, she quickly dried her ash-colored hair, brushing through its natural waves before tying it up in a messy yet elegant bun—courtesy of YouTube tutorials.

She entered her walk-in closet, filled with meticulously arranged business and emergency outfits. Slipping into a crisp white pencil skirt, a beige high-neck blouse with ruffles, and simple white pumps, she was ready. A final glance in the mirror confirmed she was back to her usual poised self.

Opening the door to her office, she found Elliot seated at the side as expected, a steaming cup of coffee already waiting on her desk—part of their unspoken routine.

"Miss, your father called through the landline. He requests your presence at the old residence for a personal matter." His tone was direct, professional.

Lillie hummed in acknowledgment as she sank into her swivel chair, turning it toward the panoramic view of the city.

"I suppose I'll need those papers now," she murmured.

Elliot stepped forward, placing a brown envelope neatly on her desk. "Already finished, Miss."

Lillie turned her chair back around, raising an eyebrow. "Always prepared, aren't you?"

Elliot chuckled. "Miss jests. It was a simple task, so I took the liberty of completing it ahead of schedule."

Shaking her head, slightly amused, she smirked. "You never fail to surprise me, Elliot. Good thing I have such keen eyes for talent."

"That, you do, Miss," he agreed without hesitation.

"Now that this is settled, reschedule the board meeting."

"Yes."

"That bitch! Who does she think she is?! This is the fourth time she's rescheduled the damn meeting! Does she even take us seriously?" A fleshy middle-aged man turned an unflattering shade of red as he slammed his pudgy fist onto the table.

"Mr. Zhang, please, lower your voice," one of his colleagues hissed, glancing around anxiously. "If anyone hears you talking like that about her, it'll be your head on the chopping block."

Mr. Zhang scoffed. "Do I look like I give a damn if she finds out? That brat is nothing but a spoiled little girl still suckling at her mother's milk! The only reason she's here is dumb luck and her family's wealth! If I were in charge, this company would reach the heavens!"

The others broke into a cold sweat. Were they still in the she-devil's domain? Badmouthing Lillie Bai in her own company was nothing short of asking for an early grave.

And then—it happened.

"It seems my tardiness has caused quite the commotion."

A chilling voice slithered through the room, making their spines stiffen. The air turned heavy.

"M-Miss Bai!" They all swallowed hard.

Mr. Zhang, however, was too arrogant—or too stupid—to read the room. "Hah! So you finally show your face!" he sneered, mistaking her presence for submission.

His colleagues, however, silently prayed for his soul. The fool was truly beyond saving.

"Mr. Zhang, is it?" Lillie's tone was deceptively mild. "It seems we won't be needing your services after all. You were eager to leave, so I took the liberty of preparing your resignation papers."

She tossed a stack of documents onto the table, the pages fluttering before landing squarely in front of him.

Mr. Zhang's face twisted with rage. "You think you have the authority to fire me?! If it weren't for me, this company would be nothing but garbage!"

"Oh? Is that so?" Lillie's gaze darkened. "Do you mean the part where you funneled company funds meant for the Diamond Empire to pay for your mistresses?"

Silence.

The color drained from Mr. Zhang's face. The room erupted in whispers.

"You mean that incident where we almost lost the Diamond Empire deal?!"

"He was in charge of the finances back then, but he insisted he wasn't to blame for the missing funds."

"There wasn't enough evidence to pin it on him, so the President let it slide. Miss Bai was the one who fixed everything."

"How shameless! Look at him—fat from all the money he stole."

"She said mistresses, plural! Isn't he married to Miss Ping? If her family finds out—"

"They'll have him castrated."

Mr. Zhang trembled, sweat pooling at his collar. "Y-you…"

Lillie stepped forward, her heels clicking ominously against the marble floor. "Oh, and one more thing." She tapped the envelope. "Your wife, Miss Ping, asked me to prepare your divorce papers as well."

His breath hitched. "You… you can't do this…"

"I already have." Her smile was razor-sharp. "Have a good day, Mr. Zhang."

With that, she strode past him, leaving him to crumple onto the cold floor, staring at nothing, his world crumbling around him.