**Chapter Two**
As Imogen gazed out of her office window, she observed the city being painted in tones of gold and silver by the early morning light that was filtering through the glass. Wade Enterprises was a marvel, a representation of all she had fought for, rising far above the rest of the city's skyline. This moment was the result of innumerable study sessions, her demanding college job working in cafés and restaurants, and the restless evenings she spent wondering if she would ever leave her mother's small apartment. But even as the noises of the busy city reverberated below, she felt empty inside. She possessed nearly everything she had ever dreamed of.
Imogen's thoughts strayed, going back in time to the years that had molded her. She could still recall the moments when hope was a lifeline, not just a word. A fantasy of a better life, one that went beyond the hardship she had experienced. Despite her financial difficulties, her mother had always encouraged her to have ambitious dreams. Imogen's early recollections were influenced by a small flat in an area that was far from luxurious. She remembered her mother's voice, soft yet weathered from years of hardship. Even though it lacked the conveniences that many people take for granted, it was a life full of love despite not having a perfect upbringing.
Maria, her mother, was a woman who had never let life's burdens to break her. But the struggle has been ongoing. When Maria gave birth to Imogen, she was a young lady, barely out of her teens, and she had never experienced what it was like to have someone aid her. Since Imogen's father had long since passed away and her own parents had disapproved of her decision to retain the child, Maria was left to face life's challenges by herself.
Under the dim light of a single lightbulb, Imogen could still recall the late nights when her mother would stay up working on whatever odd jobs she could find while she sat at the small kitchen table and tried to concentrate on her homework. As she toiled, Maria would hum quietly, her weary eyes never losing their tenderness when they looked into Imogen's eyes. "My dear, don't stress over the finances. Please simply concentrate on your studies. Even though Imogen was aware that she had no idea how they would survive the month, Maria would still repeat that.
Imogen sometimes thought she was in a universe where time had stopped. While she was learning how to stretch a dollar just to get by each week, her classmates were talking about weekend trips, new outfits, and vacations. However, her mother's resolve remained unwavering, and she managed to keep going despite every obstacle. Imogen had taken up many part-time jobs by the time she started high school. She did whatever it needed to get some extra cash, whether it was working at a convenience store, a neighborhood bookshop, or a fast food restaurant. Even though her job wasn't spectacular, she took pride in every paycheck she received and every little bit she did to help her mother.
She never lost sight of her goal, which was to attend college. With everything she had, she clung to the conviction that education was the key to ending the cycle of poverty. The letter of acceptance to college had arrived like a dream. When she held the letter in her hands and read the words that informed her that she had been admitted into a prestigious business school, she found it hard to believe. It was the moment that demonstrated that all of her hard work had been worthwhile. She realized that the path ahead would be much more challenging, despite the pride that filled her heart.
Imogen's mother had done everything she could to encourage her to follow her aspirations. Maria had taken on several jobs, including housecleaning and waitressing, in order to make ends meet when the tuition costs threatened to become too much for them both. They managed, but it was never enough. Sleepless nights, part-time work, and Imogen's unwavering will to succeed characterized her first year in college. The other students appeared to be living in a separate reality, where issues could be resolved with a phone call and money was no object. However, Imogen had never enjoyed such luxury. She had to fend for herself and forge her own way.
She worked at cafes to pay for her textbooks, gave up weekends to study, and spent hours in the library. It was thrilling as well as exhausting. She became more certain that she could achieve and more committed to improving her mother's and her own lives every day. She was prepared to pursue her dream of working in the corporate sector.
She interned at Wade Enterprises during her second year of college. She had heard about the company—the exclusive enterprise with its billion-dollar acquisitions, its ruthless culture, and its distant, icy CEO, Edan Wade. Being able to intern at such a place was both an incredible and terrifying experience. What might a working-class lady contribute to such a strong corporation? However, she had dismissed those uncertainties. She was resolved to take advantage of this opportunity.
It had been a hectic first day at Wade Enterprises. Imogen felt like a fish out of water as she walked into the sleek, contemporary structure, wide-eyed and overwhelmed. She was surrounded by polished, self-assured, and extremely strong people. They moved with an air of power that made her feel small, wearing suits that were more expensive than her entire wardrobe, and spoke in jargon she didn't completely understand . However, that didn't deter her. No one was going to give her success, as she had long since realized. She had to put in more effort than everybody else if she wanted to succeed.
It wasn't long before she met Edan Wade—the man who would shape her career and her life in ways she never expected.
Shortly after, she met Edan Wade, the man who would influence her life and career in unexpected ways. The first time he talked to her, it was merely a scathing order. His voice was icy and haughty as he said, "I need these reports on my desk in ten minutes, Imogen." Keep me from waiting. Before she could even nod, he had left, his presence dominating the room as he vanished behind his office door. Initially, she was unsure about how to interpret him. In addition to being demanding and vicious, he had no interest in anyone who wasn't actively advancing his empire.
But there was something else there, too. Something Imogen couldn't quite put her finger on. Underneath that icy exterior, there was a brilliance—a sharp, calculating mind that seemed to be always two steps ahead of everyone around him. And in a way, it was magnetic. The more she watched him, the more she admired the way he navigated the complexities of his business. It wasn't just his wealth that intrigued her; it was his mind, the way he saw the world.
However, her admiration for him did not shield her from his brutality. Edan Wade has a talent for making others feel unimportant. He yelled commands, hardly ever thanked anyone for their work, and appeared to be constantly irritated by everything and everyone. She soon discovered that working for him meant living under the shadow of his scathing remarks and even more scathing demands. She had stayed, though. She had persevered through the long hours and his coldness. She was committed to succeeding and proving herself deserving of his company.
Edan Wade was a man of contradictions—bright but cruel, arrogant yet irresistible—and he had the world at his feet, yet he seemed determined to make everyone else feel small, especially her. Her job as his secretary wasn't glamorous or fulfilling; it was just a means to an end. It paid enough for her to save, plan, and eventually buy the house she had promised her mother.
She was aware that he only saw her as a tool to keep his world functioning properly and as an extension of his business. She organized his appointments, managed his calendar, and even brought lavish presents to the women he hosted—a never-ending parade of lovely but unmemorable faces. Something inside her twisted every time she gave a woman a diamond bracelet or an expensive purse with a handwritten message from Edan. She wasn't jealous. That's what she told herself, anyway.
She did it since she was aware that he had no interest in any of them. He had no regard for anyone. Nevertheless, Imogen couldn't help but admire him in spite of his coldness and haughtiness. For his intellect, not for his wealth or influence. He was astute, brutal, and ten steps ahead in his commercial dealings. And occasionally, just occasionally, she saw glimmers of something more profound. Something got hurt. However, those few moments were engulfed by the image he had created of himself. She was foolish for noticing, too.
As she entered the office, she shook her head and gripped her planner tightly, preparing herself for yet another demanding and uninteresting day. She had become resilient. She had mastered survival. However, she had never mastered the art of ceasing to feel. And that was turning becoming her biggest issue.
As the elevator doors opened and Edan Wade emerged, her thoughts returned to the here and now. She would never acknowledge it, but her heart raced at the sight of his towering frame, his immaculate suit, and the air of authority that surrounding him. It was annoying how much his presence affected her. She had learned to suppress her feelings, but occasionally she couldn't help but wonder what it would be like if he thought of her as more than just a helper. However, no. He would never. There was no one in sight. Not really.