Once Kellan left, she checked her watch and waited, making her move exactly twenty minutes after he had arrived at the company. She headed toward the lab.
The team, having pulled an all-nighter, shuffled in, looking worse for wear. One young woman pulled out a mirror, examining her tired eyes before glancing at Allison’s radiant complexion. She couldn’t hold back her frustration.
“Ms. Clarke must’ve worked harder than the rest of us, but how on earth does she still look so fresh?”
“Not fair at all! She’s stunning and blessed with good genes. What chance do we have?” another chimed in.
Completely oblivious to their grumblings, Allison checked her watch again. Once everyone had gathered, she spoke up.
“Yesterday, I mentioned bonuses, and I wasn’t just throwing words around. Because we finished our task on time, the client sent us another big order today. So, each of you will be getting a bonus of 20% of your salary this month!”
Cheers erupted around the lab, excitement buzzing through the air.
“Wow, a few thousand dollars! That’ll cover a couple of months’ rent! All thanks to Ms. Clarke!” someone exclaimed.
“Exactly! Had it been other leaders, they would’ve pocketed that for themselves!” said another person.
While the team celebrated, Marc sat quietly in the corner. He knew well enough that no slice of the pie was coming his way, and the sting of their cheerful chatter wasn’t lost on him.
But Marc had thick enough skin to plaster on a smile as he approached Allison.
“Ms. Clarke, we really owe you for steering the ship on this one. I was wondering if there might be a little bonus for me as well? I know I didn’t contribute as much, but I did put in the effort…”
Allison’s smile was as sharp as a blade, though her tone remained light.
“You’re aware, Marc, that your negligence yesterday nearly cost the company a serious loss, right? As per policy, your annual bonus, including the year-end one, has been docked, and a large portion of your performance bonus has also been slashed. HR has already documented the incident.”
A few coworkers quickly added fuel to the fire.
“Exactly, Marc. Another mistake like that, and you’ll be out the door – Mr. Lloyd made that crystal clear.”
“Yeah, Marc, don’t make things harder than they need to be. Just focus on doing your job.”
“Thick skin won’t fill your belly, my friend,” another quipped.
Marc’s face tightened as he surveyed the lively group, fury simmering beneath the surface. What were they all so gleeful about? Hypocrites, the lot of them!
Just then, Aimee approached Allison with a sincere smile, handing her a glass of water.
“Thank you, Ms. Clarke. Really.”
Aimee’s family was struggling financially, and this extra money would ease some of her burden. Her gratitude was genuine.
Marc’s gaze darkened as it shifted toward Aimee. The change in the lab’s atmosphere hit him like a punch to the gut. Just a few days ago, these same people had been easy to stir.
Marc’s blood boiled. He had been working toward something bigger – Melany’s task wasn’t complete yet – and now here he was, taking the fall while those he had quietly swayed were turning their backs for a little bonus.
Spineless cowards! But this wasn’t over. Not by a long shot!
If he couldn’t strike at Allison directly, he’d find a way to make her underlings suffer. Allison thought she could breeze through with a minor victory – she had no idea what storm was brewing!
By noon, Allison had no appetite for lunch. Perhaps Kellan’s breakfast had been too satisfying. The sight of the sandwiches in the cafeteria now made her feel almost queasy. Deciding to clear her head, she grabbed a coffee and a boxed lunch, then made her way to the rooftop for some fresh air.
But as she reached for the fire door, muffled voices stopped her in her tracks.
“Aimee, you’ve really switched sides fast. The senior employees are so disappointed in you. We taught you everything when you started here, and now you act like this?” A mocking female voice echoed.
Allison looked up and saw it was Thea.
Her eyes narrowed. Thea, part of the same group that had spread rumors and provoked her recently, was now targeting Aimee.
She pulled out her phone and hit record, zooming in on the scene unfolding beyond the door.
Aimee stood surrounded by several people, their expressions a mixture of ridicule and disgust. Marc, sneering, spoke with unrestrained contempt.
“We all know you’re from some poor, struggling family. But trying to play both sides won’t get you anywhere. You need to understand who’s really in charge.” He crossed his arms and smirked. “Allison only got this job through connections. You think Mr. Lloyd will keep her around when he’s done with her in a few months?”
A chorus of jeers followed from the onlookers.
“So, Aimee, what makes you so special? Kissing up to Allison won’t get you far.”
Thea spat on the floor, her sneer deepening.
“Exactly. You’re just a two-faced little snake. And you know what? Allison doesn’t even care about you. You’re nothing to her.”
Allison zoomed in further, her gaze hardening. Aimee’s clothes were smeared with food stains, and discarded dishes littered the ground around her. It became painfully clear – someone had thrown their lunch on her.
Aimee stood with her head bowed, strands of hair falling across her face, hiding her expression. She looked small, broken. Allison’s mind flashed back to Aimee’s recent habit of changing clothes multiple times at work. At the time, Allison had thought it was just Aimee being overly meticulous. But now, she understood the truth.
Aimee had been enduring this harassment quietly, day after day. And yet, despite the torment, Aimee had found the courage to warn her.
Allison’s expression turned ice cold. The level of bullying was far beyond unacceptable.
Marc loomed over Aimee, his face twisted in malice.
“You’ve got a lot of nerve reporting me. Do you really think I won’t find ways to make your life a living hell?” He raised his hand menacingly, preparing to strike.
Aimee shut her eyes, bracing herself for the blow, like she always did. But it never came.
Marc’s wrist was suddenly seized, held in an iron grip.
“Who do you think you are, raising a hand to her?” Allison’s voice was sharp, slicing through the tension like a knife.
Marc turned slowly, stiff with fear, his eyes locking with Allison’s. The look in her eyes – cold, murderous – made his blood run cold.
“I… I wasn’t… It was just a joke between friends!” Marc stammered.
Allison didn’t bother replying. With a swift, controlled motion, she flung him aside.
He hit the floor hard with a dull thud, groaning as he clutched his wrist, now bruised from her grip.
For a moment, Marc lay there, stunned. The strength she’d used was terrifying – far beyond what he had expected from her.
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.