Twenty Years Later, I Became Her Boss Chapter 02

That afternoon, my assistant had just delivered the files when my office door was shoved open from the outside.

I looked up and saw a woman who had clearly spent a fortune keeping herself polished storm in on high heels.

She wore a Chanel suit. The emerald bangle on her wrist gleamed so brightly it almost hurt to look at, and her makeup was so flawless that it hid every trace of her real age.

Lauren Bradford.

I had not seen her in twenty years, and clearly, life had treated her well.

“You’re the owner of this company?”

She walked over, sat down in front of me, and casually tossed her Hermès bag onto my desk.

“Who gave you the nerve to fire my daughter?”

I ignored her. Moving slowly, I picked up the mug on my desk and poured myself a cup of coffee.

“Mrs. Bradford Sr., you still sound as forceful as ever. It seems you’ve been taking excellent care of yourself all these years.”

Lauren froze.

She stared at my face for several seconds, but she still could not remember where she had seen me before.

Clearly, she had forgotten me long ago.

Twenty years ago, I had been only a six-year-old little girl she could have thrown out of my own home with a single sentence.

Now that I was the CEO of a multibillion-dollar tech empire, how could she possibly recognize me?

Instead, she assumed I knew her because of her status as Mrs. Bradford Sr.

“Since you know who I am, let’s not waste time.”

Lauren’s voice was elegant and composed, carrying the entitled arrogance of someone who had been pampered for years.

“Anna is my daughter. The fact that she was willing to work for your company should be an honor. But someone with her ability is wasted in an entry-level role. Put her directly into a management position.”

I smiled faintly.

“Does she deserve one?”

Lauren’s expression changed.

“What did you say?”

I set down my cup and looked at her, saying each word clearly.

“I said she doesn’t deserve one.”

Lauren shot to her feet, her face going white with rage.

“Parker, don’t push your luck. My daughter working here is already a favor to you. Do you have any idea how many partnership deals Bradford Group handles in a year?”

“One word from my husband, and the opportunities your company could get would be enough to set you up for life.”

I quietly watched her ugly display and could not help wondering.

Had she worn that same face back then, when she threatened my mother into giving up her place as Mrs. Bradford Sr.?

“Sorry, but I have no interest in Bradford Group’s business.”

I pressed the intercom on my desk.

“Send two security guards up.”

The guards came upstairs quickly and grabbed Lauren by the arms.

Her eyes widened. She probably never imagined that, with her status, anyone would dare put hands on her.

Then my office door was shoved open again.

A tall, thin young man rushed in. He looked to be in his early twenties and was dressed head to toe in expensive streetwear.

He pointed straight at my face and started cursing.

“Who do you think you are to lay hands on my mother? You think my dad can’t shut this pathetic company down by tomorrow?”

I looked at his reckless young face and the features that were almost identical to Richard’s.

For a moment, another image flashed before my eyes.

On that rainy night twenty years ago, I had lost two people at once.

My mom, who loved me more than anyone, and my unborn baby brother.

If that child had lived, he would have been about this age now.

“Is this your son?”

My voice carried a tremor so faint it was almost undetectable.

“Of course. Andrew Bradford, my son with Richard.”

I stared hard at the two of them, then smiled.

“Good.”

I stood and looked at Andrew.

“Go home and tell your father I’d love to see exactly what he plans to do to me.”

The two of them were soon thrown out by security.

I sat back down, picked up the coffee that had gone cold, and drained it.

I knew this was only the beginning.