After Betrayal, the CEO Found New Love
Chapter 1
Janelle Thomas always knew her boyfriend, Kaleb Gray, the CEO of their company, to be someone who kept business and personal matters strictly separate. Despite dating for five years, their relationship remained a secret at work. But when Cataleya Myers, a childhood friend of his, suddenly joined the company’s secretarial department, Kaleb personally introduced her around and asked everyone to help her settle in.
When Janelle confronted him about it, he remained calm and unperturbed. "She's just a friend's sister. Stop imagining problems," he said.
Later, Kaleb stood in the pouring rain, watching as Janelle walked by, sharing an umbrella with another man. His eyes were red with emotion as he challenged her, asking who the man was. Janelle simply smiled and replied, "Just a colleague. Don’t create issues where there are none."
After being away on a business trip for over two weeks, Janelle finally returned. Instead of going home, she took a cab straight to the office to finalize a contract. She arrived just as her colleagues were setting out coffee and a large spiced honey cake for a celebration. Assuming they were celebrating the successful progress of a project she had been leading, she was about to join in when Cataleya, smiling broadly, handed her a slice of the cake.
“This has been a lot of work, Ms. Thomas. I’m taking over the follow-up from here,” Cataleya said.
Janelle, still holding her suitcase, was taken aback. "What do you mean?" she asked.
Cataleya appeared puzzled. "Mr. Gray sent out the notice this morning. I’m now in charge of this project."
Janelle laughed in disbelief. How could this be possible? She had initiated the project, worked on it for over six months, and was just about to finalize the contract. Even if leadership changed, it couldn’t possibly be Cataleya, a newly graduated secretary with insider connections, taking over.
When she noticed her colleagues avoiding her gaze, Janelle realized it was true. Her mind went blank.
The sympathetic looks from her colleagues and Cataleya’s obvious delight only fueled her emotions. By the time she regained her composure, she had already stormed into Kaleb’s office. With a dry throat, she demanded to know why.
Why had he given her project to Cataleya? Why hadn’t he told her or offered any explanation? On what basis?
If it were anyone else, perhaps it would have been fine, but wasn’t he her boyfriend?
Janelle expected some comfort for her frustration, or at least an explanation from Kaleb. Yet, he didn't even glance up.
"Janelle, I’ve told you many times before, keep work professional. Don’t bring personal emotions into the office."
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