A sudden chill ran through Sadie.
That place…
Sadie maintained a composed expression, feigning nonchalance as she inquired, “What’s wrong with Amberhollow? It’s just another project.”
Tina gave her a knowing look, leaning in and whispering mysteriously, “That Amberhollow project is notorious for being a tough assignment! Many companies have struggled there. And now Mr. Wall sent Kyla to handle it? Doesn’t that seem odd?”
Sadie felt a flutter of anxiety, her grip tightening on the milkshake unwittingly. She lowered her eyes to conceal the unease flickering within them. Tina took a sip of her milkshake, let out a satisfied sigh, and then, as if struck by a sudden thought, looked up at Sadie.
“By the way, Sadie, are you free tonight after work? How about we go shopping?”
Sadie pondered for a moment and then shook her head, her voice tinged with regret. “I can’t tonight. The design department is having a gathering event.”
“Oh?” Tina’s face fell slightly. “Well, alright. Maybe another time.” She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a murmur. “Just be careful around that Jordyn. She’s trouble.”
Sadie offered a wry smile at Tina’s dramatic tone. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks for the warning.”
After a bit more small talk, Tina left.
“Sadie, let’s go. We’re heading out for karaoke!” At around 5:30 p.m., Jordyn burst into Sadie’s office.
Before Sadie could react, Jordyn was pulling her away. A design draft still in hand, Sadie nearly collided with the desk edge. “Wait, I haven’t-“
“Oh, come on, what are you waiting for? Everyone’s already waiting!” Jordyn exclaimed, dragging Sadie out.
Jordyn, dressed in a form-fitting dress that highlighted her figure, led Sadie with a seemingly friendly grip that was surprisingly forceful. Sadie attempted to pull away several times but found it difficult to escape Jordyn’s strong hold.
Sadie had assumed that a gathering for the design department would be held at a restaurant.
However, Jordyn led her to a karaoke bar in a bustling district instead. The neon lights of the karaoke bar flashed rhythmically, and loud music blared from inside, contrasting sharply with the type of dinner gathering Sadie had envisioned.
Upon entering the private room, Sadie was dismayed to find it filled exclusively with male colleagues-many of whom were visibly overweight, some sporting potbellies-engaged in raucous drinking games. The atmosphere was more rowdy than professional.
A sense of unease washed over Sadie. She discreetly pulled out her phone and sent a quick text to Alex, hoping for some support or advice.
Meanwhile, back at Wall Group’s CEO office, Noah was wrapping up his day. He had just finished sending an email when he glanced at the wall clock and noted it was six in the evening. He stood, ready to leave, but as he passed by Sadie’s office and noticed its emptiness with the lights still on and an unfinished design draft on the computer screen, his brow furrowed in concern.
He summoned Samuel. “Where is the design department? They’re leaving this early?”
Samuel appeared equally perplexed. “I’m not sure either, sir.”
Just then, Tina happened to walk by with a stack of documents. Catching sight of Noah, she quickly chimed in, “Mr. Wall, the design department is at a gathering event tonight.”
“A gathering event?” Noah’s voice carried a hint of suspicion. “I wasn’t informed about this.”
Tina hesitated before responding, “It seems… it’s organized by Jordyn.”
A subtle shift flickered across Noah’s expression. He turned and left the office without another word. Tina watched his departing figure and let out a quiet sigh.
Meanwhile, back in the chaotic atmosphere of the karaoke bar’s private room, Sadie found herself encircled by several male colleagues, each one pressing her to drink. Despite her polite refusals, their persistence intensified.
Jordyn observed from a distance, a smirk curling her lips as she relished Sadie’s evident discomfort, her eyes shimmering with spite.
“Come on, Sadie, just one more drink!” urged a colleague, raising his glass. The strong scent of alcohol mingled with his cheap cologne, overwhelming her senses.
“I really can’t drink anymore,” Sadie implored, angling her body away to avoid his proximity.
Another colleague chimed in, snatching the glass from Sadie’s grasp and filling it with more liquor. “Oh, come on, it’s just one drink. What’s the big deal?”
Sadie’s expression tightened as she noticed an unusual, overly sweet odor emanating from the drink.
She discreetly placed the glass down, scanning the room.
Maintaining her composure, she declined once more. “I’m really sorry, I have something important to take care of later.”
“Something important?” Another colleague scoffed, reaching out to touch her face. “Sounds like an excuse to me.”
Sadie dodged swiftly, avoiding his hand and the uncomfortable situation escalating around her.
Sadie took a deep breath, struggling to suppress the anger surging within her. A sudden wave of heat flushed through her body, and her mind became foggy. She quickly realized something was off about the drink she had taken.
“Oh, come on, everyone. Let’s not get so worked up,” Jordyn intervened with a saccharine tone, feigning peacemaking. “We’re all colleagues here. Why make things difficult for Sadie? How about we play a game instead? Loser takes a drink. What do you say?”
Sadie recognized Jordyn’s so-called offer for what it was-a veiled attempt to control the situation with ulterior motives lurking beneath. All she wanted now was to escape the increasingly oppressive atmosphere of the room. Each moment she stayed, the ordeal grew more unbearable.
Attempting to stand, Sadie felt her body sway unstably. She gripped the table for support, her strength waning and her head spinning wildly. The drug in her system was taking effect.
Panic set in, and she knew she needed to leave immediately.
“I’m not feeling well. I need to go,” she said, her voice weak and shaky, as she turned towards the door.
“Hey, Sadie, don’t rush off!” One man blocked her path, his gaze unsettling. “The game hasn’t even started yet!”
Unable to tolerate any more, Sadie grabbed a wine bottle from the table and, in a desperate act, smashed it on the man’s head. The sound of shattering glass echoed loudly as the man screamed, blood pouring from a wound on his forehead.
Chaos erupted in the room.
After injuring several men, Sadie managed to stumble out of the room. Jordyn, utterly shocked by Sadie’s drastic response, sat frozen, staring at the bloody scene on the floor, her face pale with disbelief. She hadn’t expected the normally reserved Sadie to react so violently.
Stumbling out of the karaoke bar, Sadie felt her stomach churn, and her vision blurred.
In her hurried escape, her high heels twisted, causing her to fall hard onto the pavement, pain shooting through her knee. Struggling to rise but overwhelmed by weakness, she could only curl up on the ground, fighting nausea. With determination, Sadie bit down on her lip, forcing herself to stay conscious.
Then, a warm embrace lifted her up. The familiar woody scent enveloped her, soothing her frayed nerves.
“Sadie, what happened to you?” Alex’s voice was thick with concern.
As Sadie looked up into Alex’s worried face, the tears she had been fighting back finally broke free. “Alex… they…” She struggled to speak through her sobs.
Alex’s heart clenched at the sight of her distress. He removed his jacket and gently wrapped it around her shoulders, pulling her close into a protective embrace. “Don’t be afraid. I’m here,” he said softly.
Carefully, he lifted her into his arms and hurried away from the disarray. Sadie rested her head against his shoulder, feeling dizzy yet immensely comforted by his presence.
Back inside the karaoke bar’s private room, chaos continued. Shattered bottles, spilled drinks, and the pungent mix of alcohol and blood permeated the air. Several men held their heads, groaning, their faces drained of color.
“What’s going on here?” Suddenly, Noah’s authoritative voice cut through the turmoil as he appeared at the doorway. He was dressed impeccably in a black suit, his imposing stature commanding immediate attention.
The men looked at one another, uncertainty flickering in their eyes.
Jordyn, attempting to regain composure, stepped forward with a forced calm. Wearing a face of contrived grievance, she began, “Mr. Wall, this was supposed to be just a department gathering. We never anticipated-“
“A gathering?” Noah’s incisive gaze swept over the chaotic scene. “A gathering could turn into this?” he questioned, gesturing towards the bloodstains splattered across the floor.
Jordyn’s heart raced, but she managed to maintain her composure. “It… it was an accident. Sadie accidentally fell, and then…”
“And then someone took her away?” Noah cut in sharply, his voice icy.
Jordyn hesitated, then quickly nodded. “Yes, a man took her away.”
Noah’s expression grew darker, his eyes narrowing.
He issued a stern directive. “From now on, I don’t want to see any of these individuals in the company.”
“Mr. Wall…” The men attempted to interject, but the stern look in Noah’s eyes quelled any further pleas.
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.
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