Chapter 6
Erin stepped forward, her voice dripping with mockery. “Liane, I never expected you to stoop this low, hitting your own son. You’ve really outdone yourself.”
Then she gently patted Frank‘ s head.
“Frank, does it hurt?”
In front of Erin, Frank was
uncharacteristically obedient. It was a side
of him I had never seen before.
Victor quickly rushed over, fussing over him and checking for injuries.
Watching this harmonious scene of what seemed to be a “happy family,” I felt like an outsider, completely unnecessary in this picture.
In a daze, I couldn’t even recall how I left the house. All I could hear as I walked away were the angry shouts and blame from the
“family” behind me.
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I took a lock of Frank’s hair and went straight to the paternity testing center.
When I saw the results, the last flicker of hope in my heart was finally extinguished. All the love I had felt for Victor vanished
without a trace.
Without hesitation, I headed to the store.
But when I entered my area, a bright green hat on the counter caught my attention. It stood out in a way that felt strange.
I stood up and looked around. “Who did
this?”
Most of the people in the cosmetics store were women and they were all watching me, clearly amused.
After a long silence, someone suddenly
chuckled.
I turned and saw who it was.
It was Erin’s lackey, Christine.
I walked up to her, holding the hat and said
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coldly, “Did you put this here?”
Christine quickly wiped the smile off her face and waved her hand. “Liane, I wouldn’t dare put something like this for you.”
“Then who did it?”
“Well, it wasn’t me.” Christine continued to laugh but didn’t say anything else.
After a while, the others who had been keeping their heads down also started laughing.
I scanned the crowd. “Don’t forget, it was me who hired you all and gave you the opportunity to work here. Is this how you repay me?”
As soon as I finished speaking, someone immediately retorted with sarcasm, “Liane, it’s true that you hired us, but after working here for so long, not only has our salary never increased, but the workload just keeps piling up. How do you explain that? Is this the ‘opportunity‘ you’re talking
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about?”
“It’s ridiculous. If it weren’t for Miss Herbert buying the company, we‘ d probably still be starving. People like you, who refuse to pay the debts, would have already driven the store to bankruptcy.”
The crowd echoed in agreement and my anger surged. “But every year, the year–end bonus is equivalent to three months‘ salary! On average, that’s still better than what you all are getting now!”
“So what?” someone snapped. “You’re not the boss of the store anymore, so don’t even think about telling us what to do!”
Beside me, Christine smirked and taunted, “Liane, I heard your mother–in–law had a birthday banquet last night. As a daughter- in–law, didn’t you bring any gifts?”
I was seething with anger as Christine continued, “Or maybe your husband doesn’t want you anymore?”
It was clear that Erin had already told her
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about the birthday banquet and had instructed her to spread the gossip around the store. I could barely contain my fury. Without thinking, I slapped the green hat on her head and stormed off.
Behind me, Christine‘ s mocking voice. rang out, “Oh, looks like someone’s husband doesn’t want her anymore. Now, she is angry out of shame!”
Before I could leave the office, two people walked in front of me. Erin, holding onto Victor’s arm, walked in with an air of
grace.
She flashed a smile and looked at Christine, saying, “Who’s the one with such a sick sense of humor, playing these childish tricks in the store?”
Christine immediately pointed at me, “Miss Herbert, it was her. I don’t know who placed a green hat on her desk, but when I casually mentioned that green hats belong to the rightful person, she just slapped the hat on my head.”