Chapter 6: The Holland family is nothing to me.
The Queenie Building's elevator hummed softly as it ascended, carrying the tense atmosphere between Amy and John. Amy, her posture stiff with disdain, glanced sideways at the man standing beside her. She had worked with Queenie for years, and in that time, she'd learned a lot about the family dynamics. Queenie had a brother named Gary, a lazy man who was always neglecting his responsibilities. Amy couldn't fathom why Queenie would surround herself with such people.
But now, here was John—someone Amy had never seen before, and she was quick to assume the worst. He didn't fit the usual mold of Queenie's companions. With his plain clothes, unremarkable demeanor, and the fact that he wasn't strikingly handsome, Amy found it difficult to understand why Queenie would choose him. He looked more like a bodyguard than a toy boy, and for Amy, that was an insult to Queenie's intelligence.
With a scoff, she turned to John, her voice laced with sarcasm. "I don't know how you deceived my boss, but I suggest you stay away from her. Queenie Group didn't rise to the top by chance, and now that we're about to list the company, if this project fails because of you, you'll regret it."
Her words were harsh, and she made no attempt to hide her contempt for him. In her eyes, people like John had no place in the corporate world. They didn't earn their way up the ladder—they simply took advantage of others to climb higher.
"You need to remember your place. Before you start dreaming about being part of her life, ask yourself if you're even qualified to be close to her. If you're just a frog at the bottom of the well, don't try jumping to the sky. Stay where you belong."
Amy's words were relentless, each sentence sharp enough to cut through the air. She wasn't done yet, though. Her frustration grew as John remained silent, not responding to her insults.
"Are you listening to me?" she snapped, her voice rising in anger. "Or are you too busy pretending to be something you're not?"
But just as she was about to lash out again, the elevator door opened, and she stopped mid-sentence. Her eyes widened in shock as a man stepped in front of her.
With gold-rimmed glasses, a Versace suit, and a Cartier diamond watch, the man oozed wealth and privilege. It didn't take a genius to recognize him—the eldest son of the Holland family, Karl.
"Amy," Karl greeted with a cool smile. "I heard Queenie came back with a toy boy. Is that true?"
Amy's heart skipped a beat, and she forced a neutral expression. She was familiar with Karl's obsession with Queenie, and it was no surprise that he would hear rumors so quickly. As soon as Queenie had returned, word spread like wildfire.