I was a stand-in for the woman loved by a tycoon who ruled both the legal and illegal worlds.

By day, I served as Eric Daglesh's personal secretary, offering him emotional support.

By night, I welcomed Samuel Kerrich into my room, letting him kiss and nibble on me.

Every day, I moved between the two of them, spinning a web of lies.

Eventually, the beloved one returned to the country, and I concluded my mission successfully.

I was on the verge of grabbing the cash and setting off on an extravagant vacation—with plans to hire eight male models—when the two men caught up with me at the airport.

They eyed each other suspiciously.

"Sweetheart, have there been other men aside from me?" Samuel asked with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Looks like your schedule is rather full," Eric said, pulling out a pair of handcuffs. "Have you thought about how you're going to explain this?"

I placed the printed documents on Eric's desk and assumed a deliberately casual stance.

"Mr. Daglesh, is it possible for me to leave work 30 minutes early today?"

Eric glanced up from the stack of documents, his gaze cold and sharp behind his gold-rimmed glasses.

"The reason?"

Feigning a misstep, I settled onto his lap and wrapped my arm around his neck.

"I've been on my feet all day, and they're really aching."

I forced out some tears that threatened to spill over.

"Let me take a look."

Eric set aside his fountain pen and raised one of my legs.

When he removed my high heel, my ankle was noticeably swollen, and the skin was rubbed raw, starting to bleed.

Eric's eyes grew darker, his expression gentle as his fingertips touched the swollen spot.

I gasped in surprise.

I held onto Eric tightly.

Eric applied just the right pressure, massaging the swollen area.

He gazed intently at my ankle, totally absorbed.

I couldn't help but blush. Despite being a stand-in for his beloved for more than a year and fully understanding Eric's character, my heart still skipped a beat for him.

"If it's too much next time, just speak up. I don't want rumors spreading that I'm mistreating my staff."

After completing the massage, Eric helped me with my shoe and offered a few reminders.

"Go back and apply some ice. You can head out early."

"Yay! Thank you, Mr. Daglesh."

I grinned and was about to stand up when Eric gently pushed me back into my seat.

"Oops, I nearly forgot."

I leaned forward and kissed him.

Eric held my face, deepened the kiss.

Only when I was out of breath that Eric reluctantly let me go.

"Go ahead."

I rubbed my red lips and left.

Eric, back to his icy, pristine CEO persona, was already engrossed in his documents.

I rode Eric's private elevator down, retrieved a mirror, and began fixing my makeup.

"Damn it, Eric. You messed up my lipstick."

If Samuel noticed this later, he'd undoubtedly nag me about who I'd been spending time with.

I hastily concealed and fixed the smudges.

I flagged down a taxi to get home quickly, changed into an apron, and switched from a refined secretary to a dutiful housewife, beginning to cook and prepare soup.

Two long arms encircled my waist.

A soft head settled on my shoulder.

Samuel nestled his face into the curve of my neck and inhaled deeply.

"I thought you'd forgotten what day it is today..."

I set the spatula aside, spun around, and embraced Samuel.

"Darling, how could I?" I replied.

"It's your birthday today. I certainly didn't forget. I picked up the ingredients in advance, waiting to impress you with my cooking this evening."

Rain was falling today, and Samuel carried a slight scent of wetness, suggesting he had just reached my place recently.

Thank goodness, he likely hadn't noticed anything.

Samuel was a presence in the underworld, as elusive as a specter. He never showed up during the day. It was only in the stillness of night that he'd silently slip into my bed.

After a year of managing my time with them, I had the routine down.

By day, I was Eric's personal secretary.

By night, I was Samuel's stand-in partner.

Balancing both relationships, my schedule was carefully organized.

"Glad you remembered, sweetheart. Otherwise, I would've been upset."

I couldn't stop myself from shivering.

Whenever Samuel was angry, the repercussions were severe.

I still recalled the last time I unintentionally upset him—I was in such a bad state that I couldn't leave my bed for three whole days.

I had to request a week's leave from Eric and nearly got caught by him.

Luckily, my period arrived soon after. Eric was aware of my dysmenorrhea, so I used it as a reason to cope.

If Eric had discovered the truth, it would have meant the end of everything.

Samuel wrapped his arms more tightly around my waist. I stood on my toes, shut my eyes, and leaned in to kiss him.

However, what I felt wasn't Samuel's gentle lips—it was a coarse, calloused hand.

Confused, I opened my eyes.

Samuel lifted his hand to cover his lips.

His gaze was fixed on my lips.

"Sweetheart, what's happened to your lip? It's swollen, like it's been badly ravaged."

I felt my body tense up.

Samuel's coarse fingers gently traced my lower lip.

"From the looks of it, this must have occurred about 30 minutes ago..."

Samuel's eyes turned sharp, and he gently questioned, "Sweetheart, you were meant to stay home and wait for me, weren't you? You didn't spend time with another man, did you?"

I took his hand and lightly kissed his fingertips.

"I must have accidentally bitten it while eating earlier.

"Darling, why would I ever seek another man when you are all I need?"

My words carried an unspoken truth.

Samuel chuckled softly.

"Exactly. With me here, there's no space for anyone else in your heart, right?"

Samuel grasped the back of my head and hungrily captured my breath in a kiss.

Samuel's kisses were a stark contrast to Eric's.

While Eric's were soft and lingering, Samuel's were fierce and intense.

As my knees buckled from the kiss, just when I was about to fall, Samuel stopped and caught me in his arms before I could reach the ground.

"Leave, I still have to cook..." I said, my breath uneven.

Samuel released me and gave a playful wink.

"Okay, sweetheart. I'll go prepare our bed."

Hearing that, my legs, which had just regained enough stability to support me, almost buckled once more.

Today marked Samuel's birthday, and I couldn't say no to anything he asked for.

It was clear that it would be a sleepless night tonight.

Like an exuberant puppy, Samuel embraced me, peppering me with kisses and playful bites.

"Sweetheart, is that men's cologne you're wearing?"

Samuel asked softly.

I must have caught the aroma from Eric when I was near him today.

His sense of smell was insane—just like a dog's.

I tousled Samuel's gentle curls and said with mock surprise, "Oh, how did you guess? I've been experimenting with men's colognes lately. I intended to give one to you as a present."

Samuel shook his head. "Not a fan of cologne—it makes me easier to detect on missions."

However, after pausing for a moment, he added, "But if it's from you, sweetheart, I might consider it.

"Besides, even if I'm detected, I can still accomplish the mission."

I playfully pinched Samuel's ear and complimented him.

"Darling, you're incredible."

Samuel's ears tinged pink, and a blush crept over his cheeks.

"Sweetheart, I can impress you even more."

True to his word, that night, Samuel kept me awake for quite a while.

The next morning, when I awoke, his side of the bed had lost its warmth.

Samuel had left.

Regardless of how late we stayed awake, Samuel always left before I woke up.

I hauled my tired body into the shower.

I felt like such a pathetic worker—after pampering Samuel, I still had to go pamper Eric today.

If it weren't for the sky-high pay I received from both of them, I would have left a long time ago.

Samuel and Eric both held the same beloved in their hearts, Karen Harlan.

A year had passed since Karen went overseas to chase her dreams.

Since I looked nearly identical to Karen, with an 80% resemblance, I decided to step in and approach Eric, offering to take her place.

At that time, my family was drowning in debt, owing 150,000 dollars, with the deadline for repayment looming closer. I was utterly at a loss.

Once I agreed to become Eric's secretary, he cleared all of my debts and even provided me with a generous hourly wage.

Over the years, I've stayed by Eric's side, and I've saved quite a lot of money.

My encounter with Samuel, however, was purely accidental.

Since then, he's been clinging to me, occasionally gifting me beautiful jewelry.

I sold all of them, which also helped me save up a sum of money.

Walking into the company, I smiled and greeted my colleagues.

Everyone knew my position in Eric's heart, so each of them tried to get on good terms with me, fearing that if they ever made a mistake, I could intercede for them.

But today, the same colleagues who were always enthusiastic looked at me strangely.

"I heard Mr. Daglesh's beloved is back. How long do you think this fake can stay?"

"She's just a fake, after all. Now that the real one's back, Mr. Daglesh will definitely kick her out."

"I've really had enough of her these days. Hehe, her good days are coming to an end soon."

Colleagues huddled in clusters, speaking openly, as if they wanted me to overhear.

I thought, “Is his beloved Karen really returning?”

My heart pounded with excitement.

I couldn't hold back my happy tears right then and there.

This was absolutely fantastic!

With Karen's return, was it possible for me to finally ditch Eric and Samuel?

Then I could take my money and enjoy a wonderful life.

With this thought, I quickened my pace toward Eric's office.

"I'll come and pick you up this afternoon."

Eric was by the window, talking on the phone, his image mirrored on the shiny glass.

The edges of his eyes and brows lifted in a smile, and there was a gentle tone in his voice.

I was so thrilled that I forgot to knock and just pushed the door open.

"Mr. Daglesh, I heard that..."

Eric shot me a displeased look, his eyebrows furrowing.

I instantly stopped talking.

"Eric, is there a woman with you? Who is she? Is she your girlfriend?"

In the silence, I could hear the sweet voice of a woman coming from the other end of the phone.

"How could you? You found a girlfriend while I was gone. Is that what loyalty means to you?"

I held my breath, anxiously anticipating Eric's response.

Eric spoke softly to Karen, but his words were sharp and cold.

"No, she's my subordinate, here to discuss work with me.

"Becoming Mrs. Daglesh is not for just anyone. If anyone has that idea, they should first consider whether they're worthy."

I lowered my head.

After spending so much time with him, I was sure his final words were directed at me.

Naturally, since I was just a stand-in.

My initial reason for staying was purely financial.

Although Eric had been kind to me and had bent the rules for me on several occasions, I knew deep down it was all because of Karen.

Everything he did was for Karen.

Eric ended the call and fixed me with a frosty gaze.

"Did you forget? You're supposed to knock before entering."