The Stand-In Secretary

Facing the crowd’s accusations, I half-squatted, head down. My tall, lean frame folding up, blood tracing a nasty, beautiful arc down my face. There was a tragic, broken beauty to it—the kind of shot that’d make a killer magazine cover if anyone cared about the truth.

But inside? I was already laughing. Laughing so hard it was all I could do to keep my face straight.

Who told you I loved Autumn?

I never loved her when she was alive—how could I lose my mind for her after she died?

Seriously, who would love the murderer of their own family?

Who would love the enemy who nearly killed the one they truly loved—the one on a pedestal?

Here’s the kicker: I live in a novel. Not kidding. Classic stand-in setup, ruthless CEO chasing his wife through hell. Autumn? She’s the fake, the placeholder, but the real female lead of this story.

At first, I didn’t know. Why would I? My life was on autopilot—career in overdrive, beautiful girlfriend I’d loved since I was a kid, and as the only son of the Whitaker family, everything came easy.

But four years ago, everything changed. The Reyes Corporation came out of nowhere, like a curse you just can’t shake. Every competition felt rigged, like they had the inside track. One blown investment after another, brutal cash crunch, and the Whitaker empire shrank. My parents got sick from the stress.

That’s when Autumn showed up. She said she wanted to save me. I remember the way her voice shook, how she looked at me like I was already halfway gone.

The Whitaker family was losing ground, but I refused to fold. Negotiations, galas, business wars—one after another. I was running on fumes, pushing so hard I ended up with stomach ulcers. Gave everything, still lost it all. The opponent always seemed to have an omniscient edge, dismantling the Whitaker family piece by piece.

One day, after a brutal meeting, I walked out and got splashed with coffee. My shirt was ruined, and before I could react, a bright yellow figure nearly crashed into my arms.

"Sorry, sorry, Mr. Whitaker, I didn’t mean to, let me wipe it off for you…"

She was babbling, cheeks pink, hands fluttering like she was about to take flight. "I’m your new secretary, Autumn Reyes. I’m really sorry, how much is your shirt? I’ll pay for it."

She had on a yellow dress, her voice soft and girlish, her face a strange mix of trying to look tough while barely holding back tears. I just stared at her, jaw tight, ready to fire her on the spot. But then, clear as day, I heard her thoughts—like a radio I never tuned in to.

Wow! No wonder he’s the male lead! That face is gorgeous, cold and buttoned-up! That body—he must have eight-pack abs and a perfect V-cut. According to CEO romances, he’s rich, spoils his girl, and always has the full package! High quality, I have to get him!

Her lips never moved. I was stunned, but kept my poker face. What I heard next made my brow furrow even tighter.

This is the part where the CEO meets the heroine at his lowest point. She saves him with companionship and love.

He thinks he loves his old flame, Savannah Miller, thinks he only treats the heroine as a stand-in. Later he realizes his true feelings, and the groveling arc begins.

An electronic voice, tinny and smug, echoed after her thoughts. Thinks he loves Savannah Miller?? But I really do love my girlfriend, Savannah Miller!

Hey, it’s always torment the heroine first, then the hero later, that’s how these novels go now.

Don’t worry, with that face and that thirst-trap body, I’ll play along with the plot. System, just give me more spicy perks.

So this world is just a novel? The Whitaker family’s downfall is just some tragic backstory for flavor? Disgusting. Who wants to play this brainless romance game with her?

"Mr. Whitaker, are you alright? You don’t look so good…"

Autumn’s gentle voice tried to pull me back to reality. "Do you want to rest in the office for a while?" She reached for my arm, concern painted all over her face.

I was so shocked I just froze. System, what’s wrong with the male lead, is he stunned by my beauty?

Of course! Our host is drop-dead gorgeous! With so many points spent on looks, who wouldn’t fall for you?

I looked at Autumn, and only then did I notice—her face was uncannily similar to Savannah’s. My stomach twisted. Damn. How is she worthy?

Watching her fumble with a napkin to dab my expensive tailored shirt, occasionally brushing my chest, I wanted to strangle her. I regretted it. Because I wanted to know the truth about mind-reading and the plot too much. So I kept this woman by my side.

Watching her spill coffee on me today, fall into my arms tomorrow, bring the wrong file the next day and wink at me like she was auditioning for a sitcom. I was blind. I was dead.

"These are all things my executive assistant, Marcus Boyd, should handle. You only need to do your own admin work."

I hinted, not so subtly. Other than being a romance-obsessed girl poisoned by TV dramas, she was useless. Her only goal seemed to be making me fall for her. My patience ran out.

"Mr. Whitaker… I just saw you’re under so much pressure, Marcus is a guy and not attentive enough, I wanted to do more for you…"