I Slept with My Boss and Ran Away

Joy Chaucer had long secured the board members' loyalty with clandestine benefits. By the time the meeting was called, it was merely a formality. When it came time to vote, not a single hand was raised in opposition.

Joy Chaucer was particularly satisfied. "Since everyone is in agreement, there are no objections. Next Monday, I will officially take over as the new Chairman of Falconer Holdings."

The directors exchanged glances, none raising any objections. After all, their combined shares didn't amount to as much as Joy Chaucer's. She held absolute sway.

Having dealt with the board, Joy Chaucer was in high spirits. Back in her office, she popped open a bottle of champagne to celebrate.

Her assistant ventured cautiously, "Miss Chaucer, weren't you going to visit the former chairman at the hospital?"

"I'll go in a bit," Joy Chaucer replied with a satisfied smile. "Send the word, next Monday I officially take over Falconer Holdings. It must be grand. All senior staff must be present at the building to welcome me. Also, redo the office layout." This was to be the most significant moment of her life, and she intended to celebrate it, not rush through the proceedings. She aimed to be the next Bianca, a respected female entrepreneur in the industry. From then on, she would be the one calling the shots across the company.

"Yes, Miss Chaucer," the assistant confirmed.

"You may leave now."

Once alone, Joy Chaucer sat in the chairman's chair, imagining herself as the supreme ruler of the company. Soon she would be the one controlling billions in assets. What could she possibly want that she couldn't obtain? After reveling briefly in the chairman's chair, Joy Chaucer finally went to the hospital.

People from the Liu family had arrived to visit Bianca. The Aubrey family had hurried over upon hearing of Bianca's critical condition. The marriage alliance between the two families couldn't be delayed by this event.

If Bianca were to pass away, Joy Chaucer would become the sole heir to the Chaucer family's vast fortune-a prospect the Aubrey family wouldn't want to miss.

Mrs. Aubrey was discussing the marriage arrangements with Chloe, indicating that the wedding between Joy Chaucer and Quinlan Aubrey was still set to proceed as planned.

Upon arriving, Joy Chaucer overheard this and approached with a cold expression, "My mother is in this condition, and there's no need to continue with the wedding now."

Originally, Joy Chaucer was not fond of Quinlan Aubrey. With Bianca incapacitated, she was the new authority in the Chaucer family. She was not about to marry someone like Quinlan Aubrey.

"The invitations have been sent, the date is set; how can we not proceed?" Mrs. Aubrey insisted, visibly fond of Joy, "I really like you, and I'm looking forward to you becoming my daughter-in-law."

"Mrs. Aubrey, stop your act. It's not me you care about-it's my status. If something happens to my mother, I'm the only heir. What are you really after?" Joy Chaucer, feeling emboldened, did not regard Mrs. Aubrey highly and scoffed, "Your flimsy, philandering son is worthy of me?"

"Joy Chaucer, how can you speak like that?" Mrs. Aubrey was furious. "We never minded that you are disabled, and yet you disdain my son! The whole world knows about your missing fingers because you've been with my son. Where else could you go if not marry him?"

These words struck a nerve; Joy Chaucer had always worn gloves to hide her physical imperfections.

Mrs. Aubrey's blunt words ignited a fury in Joy Chaucer. Chloe, too, was displeased, "My niece missing two fingers means nothing. Your son is not worthy of her. We might as well call off this marriage."

Chloe had changed her mind; now that Joy Chaucer was fully capable of standing on her own, Quinlan Aubrey was certainly not a match for her.

"You Chaucer family are too much, how can you just back out like this?" Mrs. Aubrey was livid. "Fine, don't regret this."

With those harsh words, Mrs. Aubrey stormed off.

After she left, Joy Chaucer asked Chloe about her mother. "How is she?"

"The same, she hasn't woken up," Chloe replied. "I'm afraid she might not make it."

That was precisely the outcome Joy Chaucer was most satisfied with. "I'll need you to look after my mother's side. The company is keeping me busy. Today, the board unanimously voted to appoint me as chairman, effective next Monday." "Really?" Chloe was overjoyed. "Joy, you're trulyamazing."

Chloe's eyes moistened with happiness, for her daughter had achieved what she herself had not.

"Auntie..." Joy Chaucer began, but as she looked up, her smile froze upon seeing someone approaching. She blurted out, "What is she doing here? Isn't she supposed to be in Mondale?"

"Who?" Chloe turned to look and saw Meredith, accompanied by Stella and Julian, walking towards them.