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Chapter 5 Annika's Substitute

Annika briefly introduced herself and exchanged some pleasantries before linking arms with Brandon and following Robert towards the CEO's office.

Rolla craned her neck to watch their backs, envy written all over her face. "On her first day in office, Mr Ross personally escorted her."

Mia placed her hand on Rolla's shoulder, "Don't you understand? She just returned to the country and became the CEO. The old shareholders of Ross Inc. are definitely not convinced, so Mr. Ross personally escorting her on the first day to let them know that she has his support!"

Rolla rested both hands on her chin, full of envy. "Mr Ross is so affectionate for quickly paving the way for his little wife."

Rolla looked at Annie and said, "I found that Annie looks a bit like our new CEO?"

Mia also came closer and said, "You're right! They do look alike, but I think Annie is even prettier!"

Annie paled at their words and muttered, 'Stop talking nonsense' before heading to the bathroom.

As soon as she arrived, she quickly took out medication to suppress heart pain without drinking water before swallowing it down.

After calming down for quite some time, she turned on the tap water and splashed cold water onto her face while looking up at herself in the mirror.

She was tortured by illness until thin with sunken cheeks and a lacklustre appearance, while Annika...

Lost in thought, someone pushed open the restroom door - it was Annika walking in wearing high heels.

Her facial features were smooth with delicate white skin tinged pinkish-red; elegance exuded from every inch of her body.

Moreover, she had high academic qualifications and beauty, making it impossible for Annie to compare herself against her.

When their eyes met, Annie suddenly felt inferior and quickly lowered her head while grabbing a tissue before turning around to leave.

"Wait."

Annika suddenly called out to her.

Annie's heart pounded rapidly as if she had done something wrong; she froze in place, feeling helpless even though she was the victim of being used as a substitute.

Annika walked up to her with a gentle smile and asked, "You're the CEO's assistant, right?"

Annie suppressed the chaos within herself and nodded slightly with her head down. "Yes."

Annika looked at the time on her wristwatch and said to Annie, "There is still half an hour left before I convene the general shareholders' meeting. Can you help me make a cup of coffee and bring it to the CEO's office so I can wake up? Is that okay?"

Although Annie knew Brandon was still in his office, she hesitated because of some resistance within herself. However, since she hadn't resigned yet, she had no choice but to do what was ordered by the boss.

She reluctantly agreed by nodding her head, thinking that after making coffee later on, Rolla could deliver it for them instead.

After thanking Annie for agreeing, Annika turned around. She walked out confidently like an actual CEO leaving behind an impression of confidence and radiance which contrasted sharply against Annie, who appeared sickly in comparison - almost like Annika's substitute or stand-in, which made Annie feel worthless in front of everyone else, including herself.

Standing there motionless for a while longer after Annika left until finally regaining composure again, wiping away any remaining emotions inside herself before heading towards the pantry area where they kept all beverages such as tea or coffee supplies etc...

Following instructions given by Chairman Ross regarding how he liked his coffee prepared, She brewed one pot according to his taste preferences and then thought about asking Rolla or someone else nearby if they could take it over to the CEO's office instead.

However, they had already been called away to prepare for the meeting, so she decided to take it over herself.

"Come in."

Annika's soft and gentle voice could be heard from inside the room as Annie pushed open the door. She knew that things would be awkward once she entered, but after struggling with her thoughts for a while, she finally mustered up enough courage to enter anyway.

As soon as the door opened, she saw Annika sitting on Brandon's lap. Although nothing had happened between them just now, Annie couldn't help but tremble slightly when holding onto the coffee pot due to being mentally unprepared for this scene before her eyes.

Afraid of being noticed by either one of them, She quickly lowered her head and pretended like everything was normal, saying: "Miss Sterling, your coffee is ready."

Annika felt embarrassed at being caught in such an intimate position and said apologetically: "You can put it down there."

Annie nodded, then placed the coffee pot on a nearby table before turning around and leaving without looking back at Brandon even once.

After leaving the CEO's office, Annie's legs felt weak. She had just seen them in a position that Brandon liked to do with her. Although they didn't do anything just now, all Annie could think of were images of them being intimate.

He probably used those positions he did with her on Annika too. No, wait...the positions he used on her were ones he had previously done with Annika. Her existence was nothing more than a living substitute...

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