Chapter 20
Ruby had been trying so hard to make Nora squirm and crumble, but she always remained calm and collected instead. She didn’t believe that Nora seemed as impenetrable as she did and continued pushing her buttons.
In a condescending tone, Ruby snickered and said, “I hit the nail on the head, didn’t I? Don’t worry that you can’t make it as a designer, I can ask my uncle for help and he can easily put you out of your misery
Her cheshire grin was short–lived though, as the door to Anita’s office opened in the next moment.
Anita appeared in a sharp black power suit, and all the fuss in the office immediately died down. Even Ruby didn’t dare to make a peep.
Anita was naturally in a great mood. A huge burden had been lifted from her shoulders, and she saw no reason to continue picking on Nora.
She was so pleased that she didn’t even notice the tense atmosphere in the office or Ruby’s arrogant demeanor.
“Clear out your schedules after work tonight, the department is heading out to dinner. We’re celebrating the newly inked contract with Sinclair Group that Nora managed to clinch,” Anita announced.
On the sidelines, Sadie was shocked to the core and it showed on her face. She turned her head robotically to Nora and stared blankly, completely stumped.
“Alright everyone, please give Nora a round of applause, Anita instructed.
The crowd could only comply with Anita’s wishes and followed up with thunderous applause.
Still, each of them were stealing glances at Ruby. They didn’t want to defy Anita, but they weren’t willing to offend Ruby either. Her uncle was in the HR department, after all.
Ruby, in the meantime, had turned red in the face and was clenching her teeth tightly in disbelief.
Sadie snapped back to her senses as she looked at Ruby. To rub salt to the wound, she said loudly, “Congratulations Nora, amazing feat!”
Just like that, the congratulatory train started as one by one, the team members offered up their compliments.
With so much egg on her face, Ruby couldn’t bear to stay any longer. She turned sharply on her stiletto heels and stomped away angrily.
Sadie was over the moon to see Ruby fleeing the scene with her tail tucked between her legs. She felt as if all the anger and indignation she’d endured before had been released in that moment.
After Anita returned to her office, Sadie sat next to Nora and excitedly began her questioning.
“Wow Nora, why didn’t you just tell the truth earlier? Were you biding your time and waiting for that moment? That’s genius. Sadie seemed to have transformed into Nora’s fan girl.
Nora looked at Sadie with a helpless look and replied, “No, I was just too lazy to respond to her.”
Sadie couldn’t believe her ears. Nora had become something of a legendary goddess in her mind.
When evening rolled around, Anita came rushing out of her office with her bag and cell phone in hand, saying. Tve got something to see to so I can’t join in the festivities, you guys go ahead and have fun. Charge the expenses to the company
account.
1/3
3.39 am NA
Chapter 20
Reservations had been made at the Mendoza Hotel. It was a big hit with everyone.
Nora didn’t want to attend the party, but chose to go with the flow so as not to come off as a stand–offish loner.
There were quite a number of workers in the third design department, and everyone made their way to the hotel in groups before reconvening at the hotel.
At the hotel lobby while waiting for everyone to arrive, people were hanging around in groups of two or three, chatting idly Nora wasn’t one for small talk, so she simply stood around and checked out the decor of the hotel.
Suddenly, Nora heard a snarky voice from behind her.
“Well, isn’t it Nora? I thought you looked familiar. What are you doing here?”
Nora turned around to find Aria in a pink princess cut dress and meticulously styled hair, accompanied by a man with thick, neatly groomed eyebrows and deep–set eyes.
Nora raised an eyebrow slightly. She hadn’t expected to run into Benjamin here,
She never had any romantic feelings for Benjamin even though he’d been her fiancé in name. And they didn’t keep in touch since that incident.
Nora had only agreed to enter a marital union with the Young family for the sake of Henry. But the slutty man couldn’t keep it in his pants and slept with Aria at her own birthday party.
Nora didn’t know if it was on purpose or just a coincidence, but Aria always had a penchant for stealing her things. She never minded though. To her, Aria could only steal things that she didn’t care about.
Nora took a glance at Benjamin and quickly looked away. But Benjamin’s gaze was fixated on her, unblinking.
Aria looked pleased with herself as she held her head high and laughed lightly, “So you’re working at a hotel now?”
Next to Nora was Sadie, who didn’t have a clue what was going on, but she couldn’t stand the way Aria seemed to be belittling Nora. It looked like Aria was far from having kind intentions.
She spoke up and answered on Nora’s behalf, “She’s not. And who might you be? Do you need Nora for something? We’re here to attend a celebratory dinner.”
It was obvious that Nora was not a hotel staff, yet this weirdly self–conceited person had deliberately tried to humiliate her in front of everyone.
Sure enough, the department members had all turned to watch the unfolding scene, but none of them had stepped forward to help.
Aria didn’t seem bothered at all. She looked at how Nora was dressed and concluded that she was probably just a small fry in the company.
That seemed fitting for a mere college dropout.
With a condescending tone, as if she had Nora’s best interests at heart, Aria lamented, “Who would have thought this would be your life after leaving the Martin family? If you’d just begged for a better job before you’d left, you wouldn’t have to suffer now. We were sisters after all so I wouldn’t make things difficult for you.”
There was no doubt that Aria had nothing but disdain for Nora.
Nora didn’t even bother to look at Aria. She had only a bored look on her face, as if Aria was just some kind of mediocre street busker.
2/3
3:39 am MMA
Chapter 20
Sadie was able to get the gist of Nora and Aria’s relationship, and in her heart she was giving a standing ovation to Nora for her response. It was evident to her that the first step to being successful was to learn how to rise above cheap shots.
On the other hand, Aria was royally pissed off by Nora’s nonchalant demeanor. She took a step toward Nora and said menacingly, “Cat got your tongue? Or is it you’ve just lost the will to stand up for yourself after leaving the Martin family?
“You’re pretty useless, but you’re surprisingly good at acting.”
After Aria said her piece, she realized that she might have taken it too far with the personal attacks. It wasn’t good for her public image.
She glanced at the people around them and guessed that they were probably all related to Nora in some way. Her eyes sparkled then and her lips curled up into a sly smile.
“I’m sure you haven’t had the chance to attend any black–tie events since you left the family right? How about Benjamin and I do you a favor today and let you attend one? Today’s the day of our engagement party after all.”
Aria had spoken loudly enough so that everyone could hear her loud and clear.
“Don’t feel too bad about it. I know you still harbor unrequited feelings for Benjamin and it might be awkward for you, but it can’t be helped after all. The Youngs want to have a marital union with the heiress of the Martin family and not some… off brand wannabe.”
3/3
AD
Comment
Send gift
