Disposing Of My Safe Bet Chapter 1

I chose Mike because he was the only man in our circle who didn’t come with a warning label.

He was the anomaly—he didn’t smoke, he rarely drank, and he possessed a sense of boundaries that was almost architectural in its precision. In a world of men who treated infidelity like a corporate perk, Mike was the "Safe Bet."

But at our company’s annual gala, the man who prided himself on sobriety ended up in the ER because he’d spent the night drinking on behalf of his new assistant.

I didn't cause a scene. I didn’t scream. I simply waited for him to come home, lined up every expensive bottle from our cellar on the kitchen island, and gestured to them.

“Drink up, Mike. You seemed to enjoy the hospital bed so much the first time, I thought you might want a permanent reservation.”

He ended up back in the hospital the next day.

Even then, I said nothing. I continued to appear by his side at board meetings and charity brunches. But the thing about rules is that once they’re broken, they don’t just bend—they shatter. Trying to glue the pieces back together only leaves you with something jagged, ugly, and unrecognizable.

* * *

A last-minute crisis at my own firm kept me an hour late for the gala.

By the time I stepped into the ballroom, the air was thick with the scent of expensive cologne and desperation. The party was in full swing, a chaotic blur of champagne and forced laughter.

I spotted Mike immediately.

He was at the center of a group of tech moguls, but he wasn't alone. A young girl I didn’t recognize was clinging to his arm like a decorative vine. When a glass was pushed toward her, she tilted her head back, looking up at Mike with wide, pleading eyes.

Mike looked down at her with a flicker of what looked like weary affection. Then, with a practiced grace, he took the glass from her hand and toasted the executive across from him.

“She’s allergic to alcohol,” he said, his voice carrying that steady, protective weight. “I’ll take this one for her. Don't give her a hard time.”

The protectiveness was visceral. It was a slap in the face delivered with a smile.

I raised an eyebrow, handed my coat to my assistant, Shirley, and walked toward them. The crowd parted like a receding tide.

Mike saw me first. He didn’t move toward me, though. He just gave me a curt, professional nod. The girl didn’t let go of his arm; if anything, she tightened her grip.

One of the vendors, a man named Miller who’d been trying to get her to drink, gave her a pointed look. “This is Mrs. Harrison. Mike’s wife.”

The girl beamed instantly. “Oh, hello! I’m Lexi, Mr. Harrison’s new Executive Assistant. You can just call me Lexi.”

She said it while her hand remained firmly anchored to Mike’s bicep. Neither of them seemed to realize how damning that looked.

I let out a soft, dry laugh and turned to Miller. “What were we discussing?”

Before Miller could answer, Mike cut in. “You’re just in time, Jade. You should toast Mr. Miller on Lexi’s behalf.”

I shifted my weight, tilting my head as I looked at him. “On whose behalf?”

“Mike,” I said, my voice dropping to a dangerous silkiness. “The new girl doesn't know the rules. Have you forgotten them too?”

Mike’s expression stiffened. He looked uncomfortable as he handed the glass back to Lexi. “This is your first time meeting my wife. You should be the one to toast her.”

Lexi pouted, taking the glass with a visible lack of enthusiasm.

“I guess some women are just born lucky,” she chirped, her voice dripping with backhanded sweetness. “Married to a man as patient and sophisticated as our CEO. No need to work, just show up and have everyone bow to you. It must be nice. Some of us actually have to break our backs just to keep our heads above water.”

She held the glass with one hand while the other stayed locked on Mike. Her tone was a toxic blend of condescension and poorly veiled contempt.

I glanced at Mike. He was watching her with a deep, unreadable intensity. He made no move to correct her.

I ignored her entirely and looked back at Miller. “I believe I heard you mention that Mike was feeling generous today? Something about a limited-edition designer bag as a year-end bonus for his assistant?”

Lexi’s face darkened instantly. She looked like a child whose candy had been threatened.

Mike frowned, stepping forward to take my hand. “Jade…”

I caught his eye, a cold, sharp warning, and he went quiet. Miller, a man who survived on reading the room, gave a nervous laugh and looked away.

I knew everything I needed to know in that moment.

I didn't interrogate him. I simply signaled Shirley.

“Shirley, I want a full tally of every female employee at Harrison Group, whether they’re here tonight or not.”

“Yes, ma'am?”

“Every single one of them gets a limited-edition bag. Anyone who doesn’t want the bag gets the cash equivalent. Plus, a ten-thousand-dollar performance bonus for the top tier. Don’t bill the corporate account. Take it out of my personal trust.”

Lexi scoffed, her voice a loud whisper. “Must be nice to spend the CEO’s money like that…”

She thought she was being quiet. In a room full of sharks, she might as well have been screaming.

Miller, who had been entertaining her five minutes ago, let out a sharp, mocking bark of laughter.

“Sweetheart, let me give you some free advice. If you’re going to be a social climber, at least check the weather report. Your boss’s wife is the sole heiress to the Kensington empire. She doesn't need his money; she is the money. Even Mike’s mother treats her with kid gloves. You? You’re just a temp with a loud mouth.”

Lexi turned pale. But she didn't apologize to me. Instead, she looked at Mike with the watery, helpless eyes of a wounded animal.

Mike looked at me, then—either out of spite or sheer stupidity—he reached out and ruffled Lexi’s hair right in front of me.

“She’s still learning, Jade. It’s fine. Lexi, apologize to my wife. Just be more careful next time.”

Lexi bit her lip, clutching Mike’s arm with both hands now. “I’m sorry… ma’am.”

Miller snorted.

I felt a laugh bubbling up in my chest, bitter as bile. “If you’ll excuse me, the Kensington gala is still wrapping up across town. I need to be there.”

I turned to the group. “If any of you have time later, feel free to drop by for a real drink.”

I took my coat from Shirley and walked out without looking back. Not once did I acknowledge Lexi again.