The Bunny Secretary's Fatal Game

My husband’s secretary loved referring to herself in the third person as "Bunny." When she accidentally posted confidential company blueprints worth hundreds of millions online, the board of directors exploded. Instead of taking responsibility, she just looked at me with tearful, aggrieved eyes. "Big Sister... Bunny didn’t mean to! Bunny’s hands just shook! Sniff, sniff..." Then she turned to my husband, pumping a tiny, cute fist in the air. "But Bunny tried super hard and deleted the post! That makes me a brave bunny! The best bunny ever!" My husband tenderly patted her head. "It’s not a big deal. She can just draft another design." He turned to give me a cold, detached glare. "The fallout from this isn't something a rookie like Bunny can bear. You’re a co-founder and our top designer. The board won't do anything drastic to you. Take the blame for Bunny." I stared at him in utter shock. We were both designers by trade, and in this industry, leaking proprietary designs meant getting blacklisted for life. I was even more astonished by his calm demeanor—he treated his own work like his absolute baby. Why was he acting so nonchalant today? Then it hit me. He thought the leaked blueprint was mine. I smiled at the secretary. "Don't worry about it. Keep it up, brave bunny. I have absolute faith that you can run this entire company into the ground." Inside the boardroom, the shareholders were practically foaming at the mouth. "Who the hell leaked the drafts?! The company just lost tens of millions in potential revenue!" "We need to cut out this cancer before it kills our business!" Sitting in my executive chair, I let out a soft sneer. Right on cue, Brandon walked in, dragging Chloe behind him. She was dressed in a frilly, pastel Lolita dress. The board members were all seasoned men in their fifties and sixties. Seeing the secretary dressed like an anime doll, their irritation boiled over. "Miss Miller, our company has a dress code! What you wear on your own time is none of our business, but this is a critical board meeting! What on earth are you wearing?" Chloe’s lower lip trembled as she grabbed Brandon’s hand, putting on her best damsel-in-distress act. "Waaah... Bunny is so sad! Those old fossils said Bunny’s clothes are ugly!" Hearing that, Brandon instinctively pulled Chloe into his arms, consoling her with total disregard for me—his lawful wife sitting right across from him. "They're just behind the times. They don't know how to appreciate real style." The veteran designers on the board scowled in disgust, but knowing the company was teetering on the edge of a massive crisis, they swallowed their rage. The meeting formally began, and Brandon immediately took the floor. "The person responsible for the leak was Natalie." He looked around the room, speaking with practiced authority. "Regarding the leak: due to gross personal negligence, core design drafts were compromised, resulting in immense financial loss and irreparable damage to our corporate reputation. Natalie has accepted the company's disciplinary measures. Effective immediately, she will be demoted to the custodial staff, with her salary reduced to minimum wage." The shareholders frowned, clearly skeptical that I could make such an amateur blunder. "Mr. Hayes, Natalie has been the backbone of this firm's success since day one. She’s meticulous and honest. How could it possibly be her?" Brandon slammed his hand onto the table. "Everyone has two faces! I say it was her, so it was her!" "It's solely out of respect for her past contributions that I'm even letting her stay on as a janitor! She should be on her knees thanking me!" I chuckled dryly. "Regarding this incident, I admit I made a mistake." The entire room turned to me in shock. Brandon offered me a smug, knowing smirk, as if thinking, Good girl. Know your place. I leaned forward and continued smoothly. "My mistake was failing as an executive to immediately fire the actual culprit—Secretary Chloe Miller—and give everyone here a proper explanation." The room erupted. "What?! It was Chloe Miller all along?!" Dozens of furious eyes snapped toward Chloe, wiping the smugness right off her face. She shrank timidly behind Brandon’s back. "Everyone is glaring at Bunny... Bunny is so scared..." Brandon’s face darkened. "Enough! Pointing fingers won't fix anything now! I will personally cover the company’s losses out of my own pocket!" Only then did the shareholders begin to settle down. Once the meeting adjourned, Brandon stormed after me into the hallway, his face flushed with anger. "Didn't we agree you'd take the fall?! The demotion and pay cut were just for show! Why can't you ever be understanding?!" I sneered at him. "I agreed to admit my mistakes, but I only take credit for what I actually did." "You want me to be her scapegoat? Go to hell." Furious, Brandon whipped out a liability waiver regarding the leaked designs and slapped it against my chest. "It’s just your mediocre sketches! If they leaked, you can just draw more! Why do you have to be so damn petty?!"I glanced over the document and said calmly, "I have no problem with this. You're the CEO. All it needs is your signature." It wasn't my blueprint anyway. Why should I care? Thinking I had finally backed down, Brandon boldly signed his name across the page. He immediately issued a public statement claiming that the designer had agreed to waive all liability. Because of the scandal, our reputation plummeted, and our cash flow completely dried up. Desperate to secure a lifeline, I pulled every string imaginable to book a dinner meeting with Mr. Harrison, the chairman of the leading conglomerate in our sector. Yet Brandon had the nerve to show up late. Mr. Harrison checked his watch repeatedly, his expression souring by the minute. I scrambled to keep the conversation afloat, pitching industry forecasts and future expansion plans. Heaven knows how much time passed before Brandon finally strolled into the private dining room, bringing Chloe along. She was wearing pink bunny pajamas and fluffy slippers. A splitting headache slammed into my temples. The moment Mr. Harrison saw her, his patience snapped. "Mr. Hayes certainly is a devoted family man. Bringing your daughter to a high-stakes business dinner?" Chloe, completely tone-deaf, puffed out her chest with pride. "Bunny isn't his daughter! Bunny is a big girl now!" I hurriedly cut in and signaled the waitstaff to serve the dishes. Just as the table was nearly set, Chloe decided to put on another show. She snatched a heavy serving platter from a waiter. "Let me carry it! I'm a super strong bunny!" Of course, she twisted her ankle almost immediately. The platter crashed onto the table, shattering glass and showering sharp shards across every single dish. "I'm sorry! Bunny doesn't know what happened, Bunny’s hands just shook all of a sudden!" I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms. Mr. Harrison adjusted his jacket and stood up. "It’s clear you have zero sincerity. I don't see any reason for us to partner with a circus!" I rushed to stop him. "Mr. Harrison, please wait just a moment! We specially prepared a bottle of vintage wine from a master vintner just for tonight." Knowing he was a passionate sommelier, this was my final ace in the hole. His interest was piqued. But just as I thought I could breathe a sigh of relief, Chloe swapped out the vintage red wine and crystal glasses for a plastic pitcher of tap water and paper cups. "Mr. Harrison, take Bunny's advice! Alcohol is super bad for you! Plain water is much healthier!" Mr. Harrison’s face turned icy. He stormed out of the room. "Enough! We're done here! What an utter waste of my time!" Chloe pouted innocently. "Bunny tried her best! Today I was an eco-friendly bunny, the best bunny of all!" Panic surged through me. I chased after Mr. Harrison and grabbed the door of his town car just as he went to shut it. The heavy car door slammed brutally onto my fingers. Looking at my swollen, bruising hand, Mr. Harrison relented slightly, offering me one last chance. "Are you up for joining me for a seafood feast?" When my assistant found out, she called me in a panic. "Natalie, aren't you deathly allergic to seafood?!" I popped an antihistamine from my bag. "I'll be fine." During dinner, an acute allergic reaction nearly sent me into anaphylactic shock. An ambulance rushed me to the emergency room. Seeing how far I was willing to go, Mr. Harrison was deeply moved and agreed to sign the partnership. But that brush with death hadn't been an act of reckless bravery on my part. Someone had swapped the allergy medication in my purse with multivitamins. "Ms. Lewis," the ER doctor said gently, "you're pregnant. You cannot afford to be this reckless with your body." I was still debating whether to share the news with Brandon when I walked into our living room and found him all over Chloe on the sofa. Seeing me enter didn't stop them in the slightest. I stared straight at Chloe. "You're the one who swapped my allergy pills for vitamins, aren't you?" "I'm calling the police. You’d better start thinking about how you're going to explain this to them."Hearing the word 'police,' Chloe turned to Brandon with tears brimming in her eyes. "Bunny just thought medicine was bad for Big Sister! Vitamins are way better for the body!" She buried her face in her hands, letting out pathetic sobs. "Today was a caring bunny! What did Bunny do wrong?" Brandon shoved me backward, sending me crashing to the floor. Chloe pointed down at me, demanding an apology. "Bunny didn't mean it! Bunny will kneel for you, just please don't send me to jail!" Disgusted, I turned my head away. "Stop acting so sickening." Brandon stepped forward and brought his heavy dress shoe down onto my injured hand. The fingers crushed by the car door days earlier were already fragile. He knew better than anyone that a designer’s hands were her entire life. "Brandon Hayes!" The man who once gently massaged hand cream onto my skin and bought me cashmere gloves was now grinding his sole into my knuckles, actively trying to destroy them. "She did it for your own good! It was an honest mistake, but you just have to be a vindictive bitch!" "You apologize to her right now, or you can kiss this hand goodbye! You know damn well the police won't interfere in a domestic dispute between husband and wife!" Tears of pure agony streamed down my face. Through gritted teeth, I forced out an apology to Chloe. "Well, then Bunny will be the bigger person and forgive Big Sister!" Chloe walked over and deliberately stomped her heel onto my mangled hand. I gasped in agony, glaring at her with murderous rage. Brandon stepped between us and looked down at me coldly. "Bunny accepted your apology. This ends now." I gritted out, "Could she at least take her foot off my hand?!" Chloe looked up at Brandon, whimpering, "Bunny is scared... Bunny can't move..." Brandon quickly scooped her into his arms, finally freeing my crushed fingers. Chloe leaned into his neck, whining, "Brandon, Big Sister’s hand made Bunny’s leg cramp up." Brandon gently rubbed her calf, his voice freezing cold as he addressed me. "Bunny bruised your hand, but your hand gave Bunny a cramp. You're even." I let out a hysterical, bitter laugh. I had no energy left to deal with their circus. I dragged myself to the hospital immediately. The doctor delivered the devastating news: the nerve damage was irreversible. I would never be able to sketch with that hand again. Chloe lingered outside the consultation room, putting on a penitent face. "Bunny made a mistake today, but Bunny said sorry, so Bunny is still the best bunny!" Brandon affectionately ruffled her hair. "Bunny will always be the best." Listening to their sickening banter, the blood in my veins turned to ice.The moment the contract with Mr. Harrison was finalized, I would tear off the mask and destroy Brandon once and for all. After being discharged, my colleagues realized it was my birthday and ordered me a bowl of vegetarian longevity noodles. "Happy birthday, Natalie! Wishing you health and peace forever!" Halfway through the bowl, my throat began to tighten. A violent allergic reaction flared up again. Seafood broth. Gasping for air, I demanded weakly, "Who changed my order?!" Chloe timidly raised her hand. "I did!" Shaking with pure fury, I wheezed, "You knew I was rushed to the ER for a severe seafood allergy! Why the hell did you change it again?!" Chloe looked at Brandon with wide, innocent eyes. "Bunny did it on purpose! I know Big Sister is allergic, so I wanted her to be exposed to it more! The internet calls it desensitization therapy!" "Big Sister, don't be mad! Isn't Bunny super smart?" I didn't have the breath to reply. Chaos erupted as my colleagues rushed me back to the hospital, loudly condemning Chloe for her lethal stupidity. Chloe burst into tears. "Bunny was just trying to help her! Why is everyone blaming Bunny? Today is a bullied bunny!" A couple of theatrical tears rolled down her cheeks. Unable to take it anymore, I grabbed the remaining bowl of noodles to hurl it in her face, but Brandon stepped in front of her, knocking the scalding broth back over me. "Get to the hospital already! Stop embarrassing yourself here!" Later, lying alone in the emergency ward, tears quietly soaked my pillow. I thought about everything we had been through. The Brandon from our early days versus the monster standing before me now. Even knowing what he had become, a tiny, foolish part of me had still hoped he might snap out of it. Not anymore. The Natalie Lewis who loved him with all her heart was officially dead. I decided to avoid Chloe entirely, retreating to my apartment after being discharged to recuperate. Instead, Brandon brought Chloe right to my doorstep. Seeing them walk in, my expression hardened into stone. "I hid in my own home. Why can't you just leave me alone?" "Bunny said someone was stalking her! Do you have any idea how dangerous it is for a young girl to live alone? As a woman, you should show some empathy!" I rolled my eyes. "Then put her in a hotel." Chloe whimpered softly, "Big Sister, Bunny would be all alone in a hotel room. Bunny is scared." "If Big Sister really doesn't want to see Bunny, Bunny will just leave..." The waterworks started again. Brandon’s heart melted. He caught her arm, glaring at me. "I bought this place! I decide who gets to stay here!" I found it laughable. "When I lived in a damp basement with you, you swore that everything you owned would belong to both of us." A flicker of awkwardness crossed his face, but he quickly masked it, taking Chloe’s hand and leading her toward the master bedroom. "You're actually putting an outsider in our master bedroom?" Brandon didn't even look back. "Bunny has sensitive nerves. She needs a soundproof room to sleep." I laughed bitterly. "And my chronic insomnia doesn't matter? Brandon, I'm pregnant." He stopped, looked at me, and let out an indifferent, "Oh." "So what?" The heavy slam of the bedroom door was his only answer. A few minutes later, Brandon tossed all my clothes and luggage out into the hallway. Just as I finished packing my bags to leave this toxic nightmare, Brandon blocked the doorway."Bunny is young and can't take care of herself. You're staying to look after her." Chloe twiddled her thumbs, batting her eyelashes at me. "Big Sister, Bunny hates takeout, and Bunny’s clothes must be hand-washed." I rolled my eyes. "I'm not your mother. I don't cater to brats." Seeing my refusal, Brandon threatened me coldly. "If you don't agree, I'll dilute your equity in the company and transfer it to Bunny." I gritted my teeth and agreed, telling myself I only needed to endure this for three days. In three days, the emergency shareholder meeting would take place. We would see who ended up kicked to the curb! In the middle of the night, Brandon quietly slipped out of bed. I asked into the dark, "Where are you going this late?" Brandon replied matter-of-factly, "Bunny is afraid of the dark and can't sleep alone. I'm going to keep her company." He shut the door behind him. Darkness always sharpens the senses. Soon, intimate, muffled noises drifted through the wall from the next room. Chloe seemed to make her moans deliberately louder, flaunting it. I pressed my hands over my ears in disgust, but the sounds still found their way through my fingers. Chloe’s breathless voice carried clearly: "Brandon... who turns you on more, me or Big Sister?" Brandon let out a low grunt. "She’s like a dead fish in bed. She doesn't have a fraction of your charm." Chloe moaned even more theatrically. "Because Bunny has you tonight, today is an ecstatic bunny!" Another wave of frantic rustling began. I lay in the dark, listening to their betrayal, silent tears running cold until the sky began to turn gray. Rubbing my swollen, exhausted eyes, I dragged myself out of bed to take a shower and clear my head. The moment I stepped into the bathroom, my feet flew out from under me. I slammed violently onto the hard tile floor. A warm, heavy flow gushed between my thighs. The stark splash of crimson terrified me. Alerted by the crash, Brandon and Chloe rushed over. Looking at the puddle of slick liquid beneath me, I shook with fury. "Why is there shower gel all over the floor?!" Chloe blinked her wide, innocent eyes, crying softly as she hid behind Brandon. "Bunny just wanted to see if the new body wash was slippery..." Trembling with rage, I choked out, "You test body wash on your skin! Why the hell would you pour it on the floor?!" Chloe clutched Brandon’s arm tightly. "Bunny thought the floor wanted a smooth, slippery bath too!" "Did Bunny... did Bunny kill Big Sister’s baby? Bunny didn't mean to!" Chloe wailed loudly, and Brandon immediately wrapped her in his arms, soothing her frantically. "It’s okay, it’s okay! If the baby is gone, she can always get pregnant again! Don't cry, Bunny!" Tear tracks stained Chloe's cheeks as she sniffled, "Today is a heartbroken bunny. Bunny wants strawberry cake to feel better..." Brandon affectionately tapped her nose. "Alright, alright, whatever my little glutton wants." Ignoring my desperate cries of pain, he led Chloe out the door to buy cake. Clutching my excruciatingly cramping abdomen, I crawled inch by agonizing inch toward the bedroom, grabbed my phone, and dialed 911. My vision blurred, and darkness swallowed me whole. When I woke up, the doctor looked down at me with a heavy sigh. "We did everything we could, but the fetus couldn't be saved. The trauma caused severe uterine damage. It is highly unlikely you will ever be able to carry a pregnancy again." He shook his head and quietly exited the room. I lay motionless in the hospital bed, touching my empty stomach. Tears leaked silently from the corners of my eyes. It was fine. I would make sure everything Brandon Hayes ever cared about burned to the ground as a sacrifice for my child. The day of the shareholder meeting arrived. Standing before the board, I produced Brandon’s signed liability waiver and the voice recordings. Brandon sneered arrogantly, "Natalie lost her own designs! What does that have to do with me?" I smiled, slamming the detailed incident report directly into his face. He still had no idea. "Take a good, hard look. Whose design was actually leaked?"