Mr. Gilbert had mentioned that Miss Simmons had suffered greatly—the reason for her sudden resignation.

*So this woman is the cause.*

He helped Summer back into her chair.

The black spots in my vision finally receded. That was the first thing I saw.

"You will regret this." My voice came out shredded, barely human.

I ignored Summer's smirk and locked onto the assistant. "Assistant Walker. I don't know what instructions Mr. Gilbert gave you—but I suggest you ask one simple question."

A beat.

"What is Miss Simmons's *full name*?"

Paul paused. The request struck him as odd.

He didn't know Miss Simmons's first name—only that the Simmons family had publicly acknowledged one son and one daughter. Mr. Gilbert's long-time partner had always been the eldest Miss Simmons.

He stepped aside and pulled out his phone.

Seeing that I still had fight left, Summer grabbed a cup of scalding coffee from the desk.

And threw it over my hand.

I *screamed.*

Liquid fire blistered my skin. Before I could make another sound, a hand clamped over my mouth from behind, muffling my cries into desperate, animal whimpers.