After Three Fiances Bullied Me, I Made Them Suffer

By nature I was soft. When people pushed me around, I never pushed back.

My parents were afraid I'd be bullied once I married out, so they decided to bring a son-in-law into the family instead.

Soon three promising young men were placed inside the company, and I was sent in too, working the front desk.

I would meet all three at the same time, and in the end, whichever one treated me well, I would tell him who I really was.

At first the three of them were gentle enough with me. Then a foreign-returned supervisor was dropped into the company, a woman.

She made me brew her coffee and fetch her packages.

And because the water was hot, she threw the coffee in my face.

"What a useless thing. I don't know why the company hires people like this!"

"Can't even handle one small task. She should be let go, the sooner the better!"

I cried, the hurt spilling over.

But Boris Harding coldly told me to apologize.

"Ellie Fox, apologize to Libby right now!"

Emmet Dickerson threatened me in a low voice.

"Don't you know she's the young mistress of the Fox family?"

"Just looking at how spineless you are makes me sick!"

"If you know what's good for you, hand in your resignation!"

I opened my mouth, but the old softness in me wouldn't let a sound out.

Only Winston James gently helped me to my feet.

But the next second, he locked me in the storage room.

They had a Fox heiress to court, a place as the Fox family's son-in-law to win.

What they didn't know was that I was the young mistress of the Fox family.

1.

The instant the coffee hit my face, the scald tore a cry out of me.

The tears came right after, the hurt spilling down my cheeks.

I covered my face and sobbed quietly.

"So hot. It hurts so much."

Libby Fox looked at me and gave a cold little laugh.

"So now you know how to feel pain?"

"Handing me coffee that hot, you did it on purpose, didn't you? Trying to hurt me?"

Never mind the pain, I waved my hands in a panic.

"No, no, I didn't do it on purpose."

"You were the one who said you wanted it hotter."

That cup of coffee, I had brewed it three times.

The first time, Libby Fox frowned and snapped at me.

"Too weak. Make it again."

The second time, Libby Fox threw it straight into the trash.

"I want it hot! My stomach hurts. You brewed it cold on purpose, didn't you?"

The third time, I carried over the coffee made with the hottest water.

Libby Fox threw it straight in my face.

It was unbearable, the coffee splashing across my skin, scalding it red in a wide patch.

My white blouse was covered in gray-brown stains.

Aching and disheveled, my eyes rimmed red, I tried to explain to Libby Fox.

Libby Fox let out a scornful little snort, disgust in the way she looked at me.

"Still trying to argue your way out?"

"Ellie Fox, if you can't even manage something this small, what use are you to this company?"

More and more coworkers were gathering around.

And in the way they looked at me, there was that same trace of contempt.

"She dared to offend Libby Fox. This Ellie Fox is in for it now!"

"Libby Fox isn't wrong, though. Can't even make a cup of coffee right. She deserves the scolding."

"Exactly. Seems honest enough usually, but behind it all she's kind of disgusting."

...

The murmuring came at me without a break.

I lifted my head a little and looked at them.

These coworkers, not long ago, had nothing but smiles for me, nothing but kind words.

Sis Wang would say her legs hurt, always with a smile, always sending me down to the delivery lockers to grab her lunch.

Brother Li was forever busy. Whenever he needed documents, he'd just send me the files and have me print them.

And Lena Yang, Michael Liu...

When they wanted my help, it was always, Ellie's so kind.

Now their eyes were cold, their words full of barbs.

I gripped my cuff, my face caught between hurt and confusion.

They had all seen it. They had all watched Libby Fox make me brew it three times.

Then, out of nowhere, a voice cut in.

"It's working hours. Why is everyone crowded around here?"

I looked up and saw Boris Harding come through the crowd.

The office fell silent in an instant. Even Libby Fox shut her mouth.

Like I was clutching at a lifeline, I stepped forward and caught the hem of Boris Harding's jacket.

"Boris Harding, I didn't do it on purpose."

But Boris Harding didn't speak up for me the way he usually did, gently, on my side.

He coldly shook my hand off, frowning, his voice like ice.

"Ellie Fox, apologize!"

"How long are you going to keep this up? Do you want to keep the whole office in an uproar?"

My whole body went rigid, and I stared at Boris Harding in disbelief.

Boris was one of the three candidates my father had picked out for me.

Dad said he was the oldest of them, the fairest in the way he handled people.

Young as he was, he'd already made department supervisor.

On the ordinary days when my coworkers ordered me around, he would see it and always let out a helpless sigh.

"You," he'd say. "You're just too soft."

"Next time, do your own work yourself. Stop spoiling them."

I thought he would handle this fairly. I never imagined he would turn on me too, blaming me without hearing a word of the truth.

Libby Fox, whose face had been tight and sullen, laughed out loud the moment she saw this.

She looked at me, contempt written all over her face.

"You think if you put on some pitiful little act, you can lure Supervisor Harding into taking your side?"

"Take a good look at yourself first!"

At her words Boris's expression shifted, and he stepped forward, closing the distance to Libby.

"Libby, are you all right?"

His eyes were full of concern.

"There's nothing between me and Ellie Fox. Don't misunderstand."

Libby gave Boris a wounded look and lifted her hand.

"Look, my hand's been scalded red."

"Ellie did it on purpose. Boris, you have to punish her."

Libby's fingers were pale and smooth, without a single mark left on them.

But Boris's face darkened all the same, plain for anyone to see.

He turned and glared at me.

"Ellie Fox, apologize to Libby, now!"

"Or the company will fire you for sure!"

I stood there with no one on my side.

It wasn't my fault. It clearly wasn't.

I lowered my head, and the tears fell in fat drops onto the floor.

Mom and Dad told me: when it isn't your fault, you don't need to apologize.

I clenched my fists, gathered my courage, and raised my head.

"It really wasn't my fault."

The words had barely left my mouth when someone shoved me hard from behind.

"Ellie Fox, who told you to hurt Libby?"

I hit the floor hard, and my hand came down by accident on the shards of the broken coffee cup.

Blood welled up instantly.

The pain broke a cold sweat out all over me.

But Emmet Dickerson, behind me, acted as if he saw none of it, and grabbed me by the arm.

"What are you putting on the act for?"

"It's just a little blood. What's with the pitiful routine?"

He dragged me by the arm without mercy, hauling me over in front of Libby.

"I told you to apologize. Did you hear me?"

I looked up at Emmet, and the pain in my chest came in slow, throbbing waves.

He was the youngest of the three candidates my father had chosen for me.

Lively by nature, the one I'd once gotten along with best.

Whenever he had a free moment he'd come by the front desk to chat, now and then bringing me some funny little trinket.

I thought we were already good friends.

But now he'd not only pushed me down onto the shards, he was holding me here to make me apologize to Libby.

The pain left me unable to speak, and all I could do was shake my head, over and over.

Watching me like that, the fury in Emmet's eyes only burned hotter.

He seized me outright, forced me down to my knees, and pressed my head to the floor.

"Ellie Fox, you brought this on yourself!"

Pinned to the floor, I couldn't straighten up.

Emmet smiled, satisfied, then looked over at Libby.

"Libby, feel better now?"

Libby pursed her lips.

"She isn't sincere at all."

Like a dog handed a command, Emmet grabbed my head and knocked it hard against the floor a few more times.

Then, as if tossing aside a filthy rag, he flung me down onto the floor in disgust.

"How about now, Libby?"

"If you're still not satisfied, I'll keep going for you!"

Libby lowered her head and looked down at me sprawled on the floor with scorn, then waved a hand and spoke like she was granting mercy.

"Forget it, forget it."

"Carrying on like this makes it look like I'm bullying a coworker."

"I'll let her off for today."

Emmet's smile grew even brighter.

"Libby, you really are kind-hearted."

With that, Emmet shot me an impatient look.

"Still not going to get lost?"

"Ellie Fox, what are you still doing hanging around here?"

He bent down and leaned close to my ear with a warning.

"Ellie Fox, if you know what's good for you, you'll quit the company yourself."

"You still don't know, do you? Libby is the young heiress of the Foxs."

"You crossed her. You won't have an easy day left in this company!"

My mouth opened, but for a long moment no sound came out.

When the truth was, I was the young heiress of the Foxs.

I pushed through the pain and dragged myself up off the floor.

My whole body hurt so badly I swayed, nearly going down again.

Boris and Emmet just watched me, blank-faced.

I looked down at my palm. Blood ran off my fingertips and dripped onto the floor, one drop after another, a red so bright it hurt to see.

The hurt and the misery inside me were completely drowned out. For the first time, I wanted to fight back.

I lifted my head and looked at Libby.

Are you the Fox heiress?

Libbys face stiffened. Her eyes darted, and then she threw it back at me.

Dont tell me you think youre the Fox heiress.

I nodded, took out my phone, and pulled up my dads number.

The call connected almost at once.

Sweetheart, whats wrong?

The moment I heard my dads voice, my eyes stung all over again.

In a shaking voice, I softly called out, Dad.

Before I could say anything more, Emmet lunged over and knocked the phone right out of my hand.

Enough, Ellie. Havent you caused enough of a scene?

The phone hit the floor.

The call was still connected.

Boris glanced at the screen.

The unfamiliar number on it settled it for him all over again.

He gave a cold little laugh.

Ellie, do you even bother lining up your lies?

I have Mr. Foxs number. That isnt it.

He and Emmet were both poor students my dad had put through school, so of course they had my dads contact. But what he didnt know was that my dad had another number, one only my mom and I could reach.

I stepped forward to pick up the phone.

But Boris got there first and ground his foot down hard on it.

Enough, Ellie.

He pushed his glasses up.

Everyone knows Mr. Foxs daughter studies abroad.

And you graduated from a school here at home.

On top of that, Ive seen your employment file. Both your parents are just workers.

Emmet let out a sneer. That voice of his, usually so sunny, was all venom now.

Not only vicious but a compulsive liar!

I must have been blind, treating her so well before!

Then Emmet turned to Libby, all eager to please.

Libby, dont lower yourself to her level.

Ill make the company fire her, I promise.

You dont need to trouble yourself with something this small.

Libby covered her mouth and laughed softly.

All right. Thank you, Emmet.

She came toward me slowly.

Seeing me still reaching for the phone, she kicked me square in the body.

Then she stomped the phone, once, then again.

Until the screen cracked and the whole thing went black.

Only then did she smile, satisfied.

Libby leaned down and spoke in a voice only the two of us could hear.

Ellie, impersonating the Fox heiress, really.

The Foxes have kept their daughter studying abroad this whole time. What makes you think someone like you could pass for her?

Walking around every day with that slutty face of yours, throwing yourself at men. Ive had my fill of you for a long time.

Why should they all circle around you when theyre so far above you? Today Im going to run you out of this company for good.

I glared at Libby like a cornered little beast, fury in my eyes.

My dad wont let you get away with this!

Libby laughed, all contempt.

That working stiff of a dad and mom of yours?

They couldnt even get through the front doors of the Foxes!

The second Emmet heard me, he charged straight over.

Why waste so many words on her? Ill throw her out of the company right now!

He grabbed me by the collar and started dragging me toward the door.

The tear at my chest split open, and I couldnt spare a hand to struggle, clutching at it in a panic.

Libby spat out one venomous word.

Slut!

Just then, the office door opened again.

Winston James walked in.

He stepped forward, putting himself between me and Emmet, and helped me up.

What do you all think youre doing?

Winston James helped me up, gentle as anything.

Of the three candidates, he spoke the least, and he was the coldest, the most level-headed.

Before, I'd always thought him distant, and I'd had the least to do with him.

Yet now, he was the one who stepped forward to steady me.

My eyes stung again all at once.

"Winston, I did nothing wrong."

He nodded and gave me a soothing look.

"That's enough for today!"

Emmet's whole face was set with defiance, and he still tried to lunge over and grab at me.

"Winston, you don't know what this Ellie Fox did today!"

But one look from Winston stopped him, and then he turned to Boris.

Boris raised an eyebrow and stepped up to hold Emmet back.

"Enough. Listen to Winston."

Emmet's face flushed dark red, but in the end he said nothing more.

Winston walked me out of the office, supporting me the whole way.

I gripped his arm, my voice shaking, thick with all the hurt.

"Winston, actually, I'm"

He looked at the wretched state of me and cut in, his tone mild.

"Ellie, let's not get into that now. Go clean up your cuts first, and change your clothes."

I nodded, moved.

Winston led me to the storage room.

"You'll have to make do in here."

"Nowhere else is convenient."

Then he handed me a white shirt.

I took it and turned to go into the storage room.

But I'd barely stepped inside when Winston locked the door from the outside.

I heard the chain drop into the latch, and panic seized me.

"Winston! What's going on?"

I wrenched at the handle, trying to get the door open.

It didn't budge.

Winston's cold voice came through from the other side.

"Ellie Fox, did you really think I'd put up with a liar like you?"

I pounded on the door with everything I had.

"I'm not lying! I really am the Fox heiress."

Winston only let out a scornful laugh.

Beside him, Boris's and Emmet's voices rose.

"Never gives it up!"

Emmet was still muttering.

"Why wouldn't you let me throw her out of the company?"

Winston's voice was calm, without a trace of warmth.

"Mr. Fox gets back from his trip today. You want her making a scene right in front of him?"

"Mr. Fox is taking in a live-in son-in-law for his daughter. That's something we keep to ourselves."

"If it gets dragged out into the open, how's Mr. Fox supposed to see us?"

"We'd all be stamped as opportunists!"

Boris chimed in.

"Right. Mr. Fox kept this from us, so we act like we don't know."

"Besides, Libby doesn't want anyone knowing she's the Fox heiress either."

Then Boris shot Emmet a warning look.

"You already let it slip today. Watch yourself."

Emmet's face went pale, and he slammed a fist hard against the wall.

"I'm just angry!"

"Who'd have known this Ellie Fox wasn't the Fox heiress."

"The three of us danced attendance on her for that long!"

"Just thinking about it burns me upgetting played by some woman."

"If the Fox family driver hadn't dropped Libby off for work, we'd still be in the dark."

Winston settled it in one stroke.

"Keep your mouth shut."

"When Mr. Fox arrives, make a good showing."

"Once the three of us are the Fox family's sons-in-law, what won't you have?"

He glanced lightly at the storage room.

"Ellie Fox."

"After Mr. Fox leaves, we'll settle your account!"

...

Inside the room, I laughed until the tears came.

They were right. My father was coming to the company today, straight off his trip.

Today, he would announce to everyone that I was the Fox heiress.

And announce which man was marrying into the family.

Now, not one of them was qualified for it!

...

My father took my call the moment he got off the plane, and the sob in my voice threw him into a panic.

He raced into the company as fast as he could.

Boris, Winston, and Emmet were still gathered around Libby, fussing over her.

The instant they saw my father, they straightened their clothes, faces warm and easy.

Every one of them wanted to make a good showing in front of him.

My father's face was full of fury.

"Where's my daughter?"

"Where is she right now?"

Boris looked utterly lost, past pretending now.

"She's sitting right here."

Winston dropped the lofty act too and cleared his throat.

"Mr. Fox, rest assured, Ms. Fox has been well looked after here."

None of them noticed how ashen Libby had gone.

Emmet kept nodding along at his side.

Then my father kicked Boris hard, sending him to the floor.

"My daughter is Ellie Fox, damn it!"