The Petty Secretary Vs The Literal Sister Chapter 10

The Petty Secretary Vs The Literal Sister Chapter 10

After Gavin was taken in for questioning, Thorne Digital Solutions completely unraveled.

The stock tanked. Partners terminated contracts. Employees started demanding unpaid

compensation.

The same people who once respected Sloane began spilling everything online.

They said she had used Gavin’s favor to interfere with hiring decisions and company finances for

years.

Cross her once, and you’d find yourself reassigned by morning.

They said Gavin took her on every business trip–same hotel, same floor, every time.

At first, people covered for them.

Later, everyone realized they weren’t even trying to hide.

Whenever anyone asked, they had the same lines ready.

“We’re just friends. Don’t read it too much.”

I read those posts and laughed.

Funny how the people who assume the worst about everyone are usually telling on themselves.

Sloane’s case moved forward too.

At first, she denied everything. Then investigators traced the overseas account to her college

ex–boyfriend.

She finally broke.

The leaks had never been about protecting the company.

She’d been helping him pay off gambling debts.

When Gavin heard that, people said he sat in silence for ten full minutes.

Maybe it finally dawned on him. The soulmate he’d defended so fiercely–her soul hadn’t been

reserved for him alone.

Once Sloane realized Gavin wasn’t coming to bail her out, she unraveled. And she started talking.

She revealed how Gavin instructed her to get close to Maren.

How he used her to test the limits of the Callahan family.

How he approved the coordinated smear articles that painted Callahan Holdings as a vindictive

corporate giant.

There was even an audio recording.

In it, Gavin said, “Maren’s soft. She’ll be easy to manage after we’re married.”

“Drew’s trickier, but she can’t shadow her sister forever.”

“Once Callahan’s money is in, we’ll have the leverage.”

I sent the recording to Maren.

After listening to it, she sat on the balcony for hours.

I didn’t comfort her. Some heartbreak you have to walk through on your own.

That evening, she came to find me. Her eyes were swollen, but she was smiling.

“Was I really that stupid before?”

I considered it. “Not bad. Definitely smarter than my elementary school desk partner.”

She laughed through her tears.

“What happened to him, anyway?”

I thought for a second.

“Last I heard, he became a vet. Guess I gave him his calling.”

Maren finally burst out laughing. Then she started crying again.

She wrapped her arms around me. “Thank God I had you.”

I patted her back. “Next time, use your own voice too. I won’t always be around.”

Her answer came out muffled. “I know.”

The next day, Gavin’s mother came to our house.

Gone was the polished society–matron act she always put on. Her hair was messy. Dark circles shadowed her eyes.

She carried an old thermos in her hands.

Security wouldn’t let her in, so she stood outside the gate and cried.

“Maren, I know we were wrong. Gavin was confused–that bitch Sloane tricked him.”

“You two loved each other. You can’t just watch him throw his life away.”

When Maren and I came downstairs, she practically lunged toward us.

I stepped in front of Maren.

She stumbled and nearly fell.

Hatred flashed across her face when she looked at me. A second later, it became pleading.

“Drew, you have family too. You understand what that means.”

“He’s my only son. If he goes to prison, his life is over.”

I looked at her. “When he was lying to Maren, did it ever occur to you that other families hurt too?”

Her crying hitched–just for a moment.

“But nothing really happened, did it?”

“Maren is fine. Callahan Holdings is fine.”

“Why do you have to destroy him completely?”

I almost laughed out loud.

So attempted harm doesn’t count as long as it fails.

By that logic, attempted murder should be rebranded as a scary joke.

Then Maren stepped out from behind me. Her voice still trembled, but it didn’t bend.

“I won’t ask for leniency.”

Gavin’s mother stared at her.

“Maren… you weren’t like this before. You used to be so kind.”

Maren’s eyes turned red.

“I was kind because I believed people would be kind to me too. Now I know better.”

The older woman’s expression darkened. The performance was over.

She pointed at Maren. “Your family throws money around and bullies everyone!”

“Gavin made the same mistakes every man makes, and you’re ruining his future over it!”

“Maren, no man will ever want someone this cold–hearted! You’re damaged goods!”

“Gavin already had his way with you–you think any other man would touch you now? Dream on!”

I stepped forward.

Maren moved first. She slapped him. The sharp sound echoed through the gate.

Gavin’s mother froze. Honestly, so did I.

Maren’s fingers trembled. Tears streamed down her face.

“Then I won’t get married. I’d rather stay single forever than marry someone like your son.”

“Please leave my home.”

The woman clutched her cheek, shaking with ragel

“You’ll regret this!”

I offered a helpful reminder.

“Your son said the same thing. So far, he’s the only one living with regret.”

After security escorted her away, Maren’s knees nearly gave out. I caught her.

Her face was completely pale.

“Drew… was I too harsh?”

I shook my head. “Not at all.”

“Though maybe add a few more boxing classes–your wrist could use the work.”

She laughed and cried at the same time.

And suddenly, I realized this disaster of an engagement wasn’t entirely useless.

At the very least, Maren finally learned something important.

That kindness isn’t a soft knife you hand to other people and let them use against you.

And that being a good person isn’t a free pass for people who aren’t.