Just then, Marc’s phone buzzed with a new message.
“Use any method you need to get Allison out of the company. Once you do, there’s a handsome reward waiting for you, plus a chance to join the Stevens Group.” The message, sent by Melany, came with an extensive dossier.
Marc had crossed paths with Melany years ago when she attempted to siphon information from Charisma Company, enticing him with bribes to do her dirty work. It had been an easy gig, so why not take it?
As for Allison, Marc had already plotted her removal, even without Melany’s prompting. After all, Allison came off as manipulative, and there was no way she could be superior to him! That woman must have seduced Mr. Lloyd! A smug smile crept across Marc’s face as he lazily typed back, “No worries, Miss Johnson. Consider it done!”
He then scanned his colleagues, noting the mixed expressions on their faces, and adjusted his glasses. “You know, I heard our new boss has a questionable past. Remember Miss Johnson, who just arrived today? No wonder she harbors such animosity toward Allison. After all, Allison snagged Mr. Stevens, stealing Miss Johnson’s fiance!” Marc continued in a conspiratorial tone, “I have solid intel that Miss Johnson and Mr. Stevens were childhood sweethearts. She probably flew abroad out of sheer frustration.”
A voice chimed in nonchalantly, “Well, in the end, true love always finds a way.”
Marc shook his head, as if they just didn’t get it. “The kicker is, Allison and Mr. Stevens just split, and now she’s moved on to Mr. Lloyd! But the Lloyd family is as prestigious as they come; it’s not exactly a walk in the park to break into their circle.”
Everyone was so wrapped up in the gossip that their lunches lay forgotten, eyes gleaming with excitement. Life in the office could be painfully mundane, and nothing was more enthralling than juicy rumors. Marc’s latest revelation reminded everyone of something significant.
Kellan was the heir to the Lloyd family, and he needed to marry someone of equal standing.
“Exactly. There’s no way the Lloyd family would let an orphan become their lady.”
“Right, and Miss Clarke is divorced. She’s probably just a fling.”
“Yeah, if she stumbles, she’ll be the first to go!”
The small group that had been reprimanded earlier that morning now felt a sense of satisfaction. They began scheming to make Allison’s life miserable.
Fueled by the reward Melany had promised, Marc ramped up his plan, spreading the rumors throughout the company in just three days. Even the cleaning staff were in the loop.
During work hours, everyone stuck to their tasks, but at lunchtime, they gathered with their lunch boxes or takeout, intentionally avoiding Allison’s company.
“People like her need to be reminded of their place!”
However, after a day or two, they began to notice that Allison seemed blissfully unaware. She went about her day solo, seemingly oblivious to their silent shunning.
But the rumors continued to darken. Aimee overheard two men in the stairwell saying, “I wonder how our Miss Clarke managed to land in Mr. Lloyd’s bed.”
Aimee bit her lip, contemplating whether to turn a blind eye. Ultimately, she slipped into the lab while everyone else was eating.
She looked up to find Allison deeply engrossed in an experiment, a wave of sadness washing over her.
Allison might have parachuted into this company, but she was a shareholder, exceptionally skilled, and the reigning champion of the Perfume Contest. Why should such a qualified individual be treated like dirt?
Having faced workplace slander herself, Aimee felt a pang of empathy.
“Miss Clarke, sorry to interrupt.”
Allison turned to find Aimee looking downcast, as though on the brink of tears.
“What’s wrong? Is something bothering you?”
“Some people are spreading horrible rumors about you…”
Before Allison could offer words of comfort, Aimee spilled everything that had transpired over the past few days.
By the end of her confession, Aimee’s voice quivered with emotion. “Those people are unbelievable. If they’re jealous, they should just admit it instead of hiding behind whispers. It’s so unfair!”
Allison felt a mix of gratitude and amusement. She gently patted Aimee’s shoulder.
“Those kinds of people aren’t worth your energy. But I truly appreciate you sharing this with me. Keep an eye on them, will you? I’ve been meaning to observe their antics for a while.” Allison saw this as a prime opportunity to catch the troublemakers off guard.
“After all, I won’t tolerate any nonsense in the lab I oversee.”
Her voice had grown steely.
Aimee felt a warmth in her heart from the reassurance and nodded, saying firmly, “Okay, I’ll keep a close watch for you.”
Allison smiled at Aimee’s determined demeanor. Aimee’s earnestness was endearing; her emotions were transparent, yet it seemed she was still holding something back.
Allison finished blending the perfume and made her way to the restroom. Not long after, she overheard a group of young women gossiping by the sink.
“Did you hear? Who would have guessed that our new leader, who seems so respectable, is really just a sleazy character!” one of them exclaimed. “Marc told us that Allison is just an orphan who never had anyone to guide her. It’s no surprise she went off track.”
“I never expected her to be so loose,” another chimed in.
Allison’s expression turned as cold as ice. She hadn’t expected her first encounter with rumors about herself to unfold in a restroom, which truly served as a hub for gossip.
The young women outside showed no signs of slowing down. “Why would Mr. Lloyd be interested in a woman like her?” one continued. “Well, if it’s offered on a silver platter, who could resist? Just for kicks-” But before she could finish, the stall door slammed open.
Allison, the very subject of their chatter, stepped out slowly. Without glancing their way, she calmly opened the makeup mirror by the sink and took out her lipstick, carefully outlining her lips.
“Miss… Miss Clarke, hello…” The young women stood frozen, paralyzed by fear, unable to move or escape.
After finishing her makeup, Allison caught their eyes in the mirror. “What? Don’t let me interrupt – keep going!” The chill in her gaze sent shivers down their spines. “You were hired to work here, not to gossip about your superiors’ private lives. Spreading rumors and stirring trouble-clearly, you have too much idle time. You’re all decent women, yet your mouths are anything but clean.”
“We’re sorry, Miss Clarke. We didn’t mean to!” The young women who had been so animated in their gossip now shrank back in front of Allison. After all, she was their superior, with the power to fire them at a whim.
“We only heard these rumors from others. It has nothing to do with us…” one of them stammered.
Allison turned her head, a sneer creeping onto her lips. “So you mean spreading these rumors isn’t at fault?”
With her wavy hair and red lips, she looked even more radiant and formidable. Clad in a sharp professional outfit, she scrutinized them from head to toe and said bluntly, “You should know better than to repeat what you’ve heard without proof.”
Gossiping and abandoning your posts during work hours – kiss your bonuses for this month goodbye.”
These women weren’t the real instigators of the rumors. Allison suspected Marc must have rallied a group against her.
“What?” The young women were taken aback.
They felt crushed. The bonus from Charisma Company this month was a hefty $4,000. Their disappointment stung more than any reprimand could.
But looking into Allison’s indifferent gaze only increased their fear. Losing their bonus was one thing; who knew what else she might do? The prospect of future setbacks, or even getting fired, loomed over them. How unfortunate it was to be caught in the act by her!
In a moment of desperation, they dropped to their knees with a thud. “Miss Clarke, we’re really sorry!”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.