Chapter 23 Rivals
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“Please don’t say that,” Michelle said. “Online rumors might not be true. Her job required interacting with many men. That’s normal.”
“Michelle, you’re so kind! And beautiful and generous too. We’re lucky to work with you!”
Caroline rolled her eyes and walked forward. “Didn’t I ban office gossip? I haven’t even officially resigned, and some have forgotten the rules?”
Her presence silenced the employees.
“Caroline, you’re here,” Michelle said. “Sorry for taking your position. I heard about your resignation. Best of luck.”
Only then did the others realize Caroline wasn’t their boss
anymore.
Someone found their voice. “What are you talking about? Who’s gossiping?”
Caroline’s gaze was icy. “No one? Strange. I heard something unpleasant and saw something disgusting.”
Michelle caught Caroline’s implied jab about her clinging to Caleb.
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She looked hurt. “Caroline, are you talking about me? Caleb offered me this job. You resigned. Given my history with him, I’m perfect for this role. I didn’t steal your job. How can you be
so mean?”
“So you knew I resigned voluntarily,” Caroline shot back. “Then why stay silent when they talked about my firing?”
“Who are you to her?” someone defended Michelle. “Why should she explain? You caused her brother’s death and stole her fiancé. She owes you nothing!”
“If I hurt her so deeply, why pretend to defend me to you all?” Caroline asked. “Ms. Adams isn’t just kind–she’s quite the actress. Keep on her good side, or you never know who she’ll stab in the back next.”
Wariness flickered across the gathered faces. Their newfound warmth toward Michelle evaporated instantly.
Anger flashed in Michelle’s eyes before they welled with tears.
“You destroyed my family, but I didn’t badmouth you to colleagues. Yet here you are, Caroline, painting me as two–faced!”
Her voice quivered. “These people were once your colleagues, too. Just because they showed me kindness, you mock them? I know you have powerful backing in your new job, so you don’t care about your former colleagues. But that’s no excuse for
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public humiliation!”
Sensing Michelle’s theatrics, Caroline knew they had an audience.
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She turned to see Caleb, on his way to a meeting, watching with a cold stare.
His face showed no trace of yesterday’s allergic reaction–the treatment must have been prompt.
Their eyes met, and Caleb’s expression was stern.
“Since you’re so eager to cause trouble, get as far away as you can. I approved Michelle’s appointment. Stop judging here. Grab your stuff and leave now. You’re banned from the Martin Group without an appointment!”
Michelle played her part. “Caleb, why are you here? I didn’t want to bother you with this small stuff. Don’t talk to Caroline like that. She was your secretary and handled important projects. That must count for something, right?”
Caleb’s eyes narrowed. “Oh, and before you go, see Edwin to sign a non–disclosure agreement. If any unreleased projects leak, Caroline, you’ll be my first suspect.”
Caroline sneered, “Working, for you is thankless. I’m not even gone, and you’re already making me the scapegoat.”
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She slammed a thick stack of documents on the desk.
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“I’ve signed the contracts for all confidential content in unreleased projects. I’ll take full legal responsibility for any breaches.
“But don’t worry about me breaking contracts. Worry if your new hires will even know where to start if info leaks.
“After all, you’ve been an absentee boss for years, never bothered with such details.”
Caleb’s expression faltered.
For years, he’d entrusted everything to Caroline, important or trivial.
Beyond trust, he’d never imagined she would leave him.
He never thought this day would come.
During his silence, Caroline continued icily, “Of course I won’t return to the Martin Group, because from now on, we’re competitors.”
Looking into Caroline’s determined eyes, Caleb felt an inexplicable urge to stop her from leaving.
Unconsciously, he reached for her wrist.
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→→12 min left
Michelle immediately noticed his hesitation. She quickly inserted herself between them.
“Caleb, I heard Anthony spent a fortune on security audits and aggressive marketing. He seems determined to poach Caroline.”
Caleb sneered, “Her ambitions run deeper than just joining Anthony’s company. She even rejected billions in investment, determined to build a pure game with her… friend.”
“That’s quite common,” Michelle mused. “I know several people who started companies with close friends. Some even ended up in marriage…”
She quickly covered her mouth in false regret. “I’m so sorry, Caroline. That’s not what I meant. You’re married, and I’m sure you know your limits.”
But her words hit the mark.
Caleb’s face darkened as he glanced at Caroline. “Now I’m even more curious. Without a big company, let’s see how far your game can go.”
With that, he strode away.
Michelle’s smile was triumphant as she looked at Caroline.
But Caroline stayed calm, ignoring Michelle as she packed.
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Yet, Michelle approached again, offering a coffee cup.
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“Caroline, sorry for my words. Thinking of my late family put me in a bad mood. Accept this coffee as an apology.”
Caroline tried to move, but Michelle spilled the coffee over Caroline’s documents.
“Oh no, the documents!” Michelle gasped.
B
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