Chapter 1

After enduring three years of bullying from Christine, the most popular girl in school, I used her photos to start an online relationship with a powerful CEO.

He was gentle and generous, his only flaw being how clingy he was.

Soon, with my quick wit, I managed to get a considerable amount of living expenses from him.

The day I decided to disappear, I casually asked, "What would you do if I suddenly vanished?"

He fell silent for two seconds, then said in a low voice, "You really shouldn't try."

I didn't think anything of it. I just blocked him and deleted his contact.

Later, Christine and I both got internships at a multinational corporation.

The day I reported for duty, the Chairman of the corporate headquarters happened to be on an inspection tour.

I stood at the back of the crowd, looking up, and saw a face that shouldn't have been there.

My mind went blank for about three seconds.

Then I saw his gaze fall on Christine.

He paused for a moment, then strode towards us.

His name was Maximilian.

Maximilian, 32 years old, was the current CEO of the Maximilian Group, with a net worth exceeding ten billion dollars.

He was wearing a dark gray suit I'd picked out for him myself. His broad shoulders were straight, cuffs meticulously folded, steps steady and controlled. He was like an unsheathed blade.

I lowered my face slightly, my heart pounding a bit too fast.

Mr. Davies, our manager, whispered to us, "Mr. Maximilian rarely visits. Just act normal; he won't bother with interns."

Before he could finish, Maximilian slowed his pace.

A cufflink suddenly came loose from his sleeve, bounced twice on the floor, and rolled to Christine's feet.

Maximilian stopped. More accurately, he stopped right in front of Christine.

They stood face to face, one cold, one captivating, no more than an arm's length apart.

His secretary, Mr. Stone, was already bending down to pick it up.

Maximilian raised a hand to stop him.

Christine's eyelashes fluttered. She understood, bent down, picked up the cufflink, and, blushing, handed it over. "Mr. Maximilian, your..."

Maximilian wasn't in a hurry to take it.

He lowered his eyes and took a small step closer to Christine.

A fragrance that blended oud and citrus wafted over.

I knew that scent.

Last fall, I'd tried it bottle by bottle at a duty-free counter, eventually bought it, and sent it to him by mail.

I pursed my lips, subtly averting my gaze.

Maximilian stared at Christine's face for a long time.

Something churned in his eyes. It was hard to tell, like rediscovery mixed with a hint of hurt.

Christine held out the cufflink, waiting for a while, then couldn't help but softly call out, "M-Mr. Maximilian?"

Maximilian snapped out of it, took the cufflink, his fingertips brushing her palm, and said in a low, slightly hoarse voice, "Christine."

Christine's face turned completely red. "Yes, I'm Christine, Mr. Maximilian…"

Maximilian didn't speak, just stared at her face for a moment longer before turning and walking away.

Only then did I dare to exhale, my back drenched in sweat.

I slumped back into my desk chair, pulled out my phone, and searched "Maximilian."

My screen filled with financial news.

I slowly took a breath.

I'd been in an online relationship with Maximilian for two whole years, using Christine's photos and name.

In high school, Christine had loudly spread rumors that my mom, who worked as a housekeeper for her family, had stolen things from them. It caused a huge stir throughout the school.

My mom lost her job too.

I hated her guts. So, I stole Christine's photos and started messing around online using her name everywhere.

Got caught cursing someone out? I'd say my name was Christine.

Reported for idling in an online game? I'd say my name was Christine.

Basically, if anything went wrong, I'd throw Christine under the bus.

But Maximilian was an unexpected twist.

By the time he found me, I was already deeply involved.

For two years, he'd call every night. His voice was deep, and he spoke slowly, able to sweet-talk anyone into submission.

Many times, his voice changed, and he'd say things that made my ears burn, and I'd call him shameless.

He'd just chuckle softly and sweet-talk me.

Later, when he suggested we meet, it suddenly hit me: I was using Christine's name and Christine's face.

I scrolled through our SnapChat messages, finding that first "My name is Christine."

I couldn't sleep that night. Tossing and turning, I eventually pulled the blanket over my head and cried for a long time.

After crying, I looked at my swollen eyes in the mirror and realized something.

I was plain-looking, from an ordinary family. I didn't have Christine's face or her background.

Someone like Maximilian could never be interested in someone like me.

I sent a "Sorry" and deleted him.

On the third day of no contact, he sent an email: "Christine, don't leave me."

But I wasn't Christine. I closed the email and didn't reply.

A colleague next to me tapped my shoulder. "Hey, what are you thinking about?"

I snapped back to reality.

Christine had already come over to my side, her voice soft. "Kaitlyn, everyone wants coffee from that new place. Could you run out and get it?"

"It's just three blocks away. You can bike there, it won't take long."

It was standard for senior employees to pick on interns.

Christine had managed to get the senior employees on her side on the very first day, no doubt because of Maximilian's obvious attention to her earlier.

I looked at her, then at the others behind her, all watching expectantly, and nodded. "Okay."

Christine smiled, satisfied, and turned to everyone. "Don't be shy, guys."

"Kaitlyn's mom used to be our housekeeper, and Kaitlyn's been with her mom since she was little. Running errands is second nature to her."

"If you need anything later, just ask her."

I didn't say anything.

I stood up to grab my bag and bumped into someone.

I looked up. It was Mr. Stone, Maximilian's secretary.

He impatiently shoved me aside. I wasn't prepared, and my knee hit the corner of the desk, making me gasp in pain.

He didn't apologize. He strode over to Mr. Davies. "Which one is Ms. Christine? Mr. Maximilian needs to see her."

Christine rushed forward. "I am! I'm Christine. What is it?"

Mr. Stone sized her up, becoming a little more polite. "The CEO's private office needs a temporary assistant. Mr. Maximilian wants you to fill in for a while."

Christine froze for a second, her voice rising. "Me? Mr. Maximilian sent you for me? He said it himself?"

"Yes. Pack your things and come with me."

Christine covered her mouth, then couldn't help but walk around me in a circle. "Kaitlyn, move aside. I'm going up to the thirty-sixth floor!"

"You keep working hard. Maybe in another ten years or so, we can be colleagues on the thirty-sixth floor."

I moved aside, my knee still throbbing with pain.

Christine walked away in her high heels, and the colleagues behind me erupted in chatter.

"Could this Christine be the future CEO's wife?"

"Hey, Kaitlyn, you came with Christine. Do you know what her relationship is with Mr. Maximilian?"

I shook my head. "No idea."