BOOK1–Chapter 10
On the eve of the company’s big IPO, Nicholas couldn’t wait to throw a lavish celebration party. To top it off, he instructed his secretary to hand out double year–end bonuses–in cash.N
With a sweet smile, Gwendoline personally handed out neatly packaged stacks of hundred–dollar bills to everyone. But when she got to me, she suddenly shoved me aside.§
“Move it! Filthy strays don’t belong here!”
Confused, I asked her what she meant.
Gwendoline sneered and threw a termination letter right in my face. “A shameless tramp like you has no right to claim a bonus. Get lost before you make us sick!“}
As she accused me, the huge projected screen displayed a series of intimate photos of me with a major client.}]
Then came a bonus list at the end. The numbers on the screen stung my eyes, everyone had received at least a six–figure bonus, except for me. My column was marked with a glaring red zero.
I clenched my fists and looked up at Nicholas who stood nearby.
“Are you sure you want to fire me–tonight?”
–8
I asked as the screen continued to cycle through those intimate photos of me and the client.”
In the photos, I was either walking side by side with those men, clinking glasses in a toast, or–even worse–being held around the waist as I stepped into a hotel with one of them.”
Hearing my question, Nicholas tore his gaze away from the screen and looked at me coldly, saying nothing.”
“Are you sure, Nicholas?” I asked again.
All eyes turned to him, filled with sympathy and pity.”
Ignoring the looks from his employees, he slowly stepped forward until he was towering over me. His voice was icy as he spoke, “Rose, what right do you have to stay here? Every bit of this company’s success comes from hard work–except for you!“}
“Am I lacking in money? Or care for you? Is that why you chose to humiliate me like this? Don’t tell me these men are the reason you refuse to come home and be the devoted wife I asked for!“}
He suddenly took out a stack of photos from his pocket and slammed it hard on my face. The sharp edges grazed against my skin before they scattered to the floor.
A sting shot through me. I raised my hand and touched my cheek–my fingers came away stained with red.)
“They say it was a noble thing to do to bring your company’s name to the public. But I won’t let a disgrace scum like you to ruin it, even if you’re my fiance}
! looked at the cold, dignified man before me, convinced he was simply misunderstanding because of the photos. Patiently, I explained, “Nicholas, others may not believe me, but you? My success comes from my own hard work–it has nothing to do with those pictures!“} “Your own hard work?” Gwendoline suddenly interjected, her tone dripping with mockery. “And what kind of ‘hard work‘ would that be? Your skills in bed? We’ve all heard just how ‘deep‘ your collaboration with the clients goes!“>
Laughter erupted around us, with a few voices murmuring in agreement.”
“Exactly! Who knows how many clients‘ beds she’s been in to get those results? And to think we used to admire her and secretly learn from her!”
There’s a saying: ‘kick your opponent when they’re down‘. I never expected that even colleagues l’once got along with would treat me in the perfect sense of that proverb.
I clenched my teeth, forcing myself to stay calm. “Those photos prove nothing. My interactions with them were purely business–related!“} “Business–related? You mean bedroom business?” Gwendoline picked up the photo from the floor–the one where a man had his arm around me as we entered a hotel. “Then explain this one–how do you justify this photo?”
She continued with sneer, “This is a screenshot of a high–definition video. Want me to play the full video for everyone?“>
I stared at the photo for a moment, then suddenly let out a relieved laugh.
In truth, the man in the picture was my older brother.
That night, I got drunk. I had meant to call Nicholas to pick me up–but instead, I had called my brother.”