Mistaken For Nobody When I’m The Boss

In the darkness, Savannah said nothing. She simply lifted a stiletto-heeled Jimmy Choo and slammed it into my stomach.

The impact stole the air from my lungs. I collapsed to the floor, my stomach seizing.

"Spending my man's money, huh? Trying to seduce him?!" she shrieked, her voice dripping with jealousy and rage.

She loomed over me and commanded the two security guards, "Beat her. Don't hold back!"

The two guards were clearly her people. Without a moment's hesitation, they began to punch and kick me. I bit down hard, forcing back every cry and groan. Each blow rattled my bones and jarred my insides.

Savannah kept screaming, "Who do you think you are?! You're nothing but a parasite!"

"I told you, I'm his sister! If you don't believe me, ask Caleb yourself! Call him right now, I'll talk to him!" I choked out, but she completely ignored me. It wasn't until I was dizzy and on the verge of passing out that she raised a hand to stop the beating.

She dug the pointed heel of her shoe into my shoulder, smiling as she looked down at me. "You'd better pay the bill today, and then come up with another seventy-five thousand dollars. This is what you get for throwing yourself at my man and spending his money. I’m not afraid to make a scene. Caleb will clean up any mess for me."

Even doubled over in pain and struggling to breathe, I wheezed, "It's my own brand. I told you. You can ask him."

Her face darkened, and she kicked me again. The two guards immediately understood and started hitting me once more. By then, I knew that nothing I said would matter. If this continued, I might actually die here.

After spitting out a mouthful of blood, I used the last of my strength to fumble for my phone.

"Stop... I'll... I'll pay."

A smug smile spread across her face at my surrender, and she motioned for the guards to stop. She squatted down and patted my swollen cheek. "See? Isn't this easier? You could have just done it my way, but you had to learn the hard way. One hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Not a penny less."

Lying on the cold floor, I gasped for air, my lungs on fire.

I ignored her and called my best friend, Maya Chen. She answered immediately. "Maya, bring a cashier's check for two hundred thousand dollars to Caleb's store. I need it now."

Maya was silent for a second, instantly sensing something was wrong. "Audrey? What's going on? Your voice sounds..."

"Don't ask questions, just hurry," I cut her off and ended the call.

When Savannah Pierce heard "two hundred thousand," her eyes lit up, a flash of greed crossing her face.

She probably thought I'd been beaten into submission and was offering extra money to beg for mercy.

She could no longer hide her smug satisfaction.

"Finally learned your lesson."