Chapter 11/
When Justin arrived, the atmosphere froze.
After a brief silence, Emily responded indifferently, “We weren’t talking about anything important.”
“Not something she wants me to know?” Justin wondered. What could she discuss with Sam but not with me?”
His gaze shifted to Sam, who awkwardly rubbed his nose before, for the first time, lying to the CEO. “Miss Yates and I were just talking about the drinks in the break room. She said they were really good.”
“Really?” Justin’s lips curled into a faint smile, though his tone carried a trace of jealousy. “Perfect timing. I have a dinner event tonight. I’ll bring you along, and you can enjoy more drinks. Drink as much as you like.”
Emily was speechless.
That afternoon, Emma knocked on the door of Justin’s office.
“Come in,” Justin said.
Emma entered, her gaze quickly scanning the room. Not seeing Emily, she swiftly hid her curiosity and walked over to Justin’s desk, handing him a file.
“Justin, I’ve been learning a lot at the company recently. I know our company is competing for Mr. Wilfred’s project, and I’ve prepared some materials. I’d like to join the team to gain more experience,” she said sweetly.
Justin flipped through the file briefly. He had been worried that their conversation yesterday might have discouraged her, but she seemed fine. Letting her join the team could be a chance for her to gain experience and avoid overthinking.
After reading through the documents, he closed the file and said, “Okay, I’ll have Sam arrange for you to join the team.”
“Thank you, Justin,” Emma said, smiling.
That evening, the team preparing for the competitive project presentation had to adjust their lineup. With Emma joining at the last minute, one member had to step down.
The team had worked tirelessly on this project, and everyone was eager to showcase their work. Being told to step aside naturally led to discontent.
In the small conference room, the team leader addressed them. “We all know Emma’s connection to the CEO. Offending her is like offending him. But don’t worry, those who don’t present tonight will still be included in the final project list and receive the same bonuses.”
“But I’m the lead data analyst. I have to go!” protested one team member.
“And I’m in charge of market research! I can’t step down either!” another chimed in.
“Enough,” the leader interrupted. “Let’s settle this fairly. We’ll draw lots.”
In the end, the unlucky pick went to a junior member, Hazel Harper, who had to sit out.
Outside the conference room, Emma’s voice rang out. “Hey boss, I’m ready. When are we heading out?”
1/2
“We’re leaving now,” the leader replied.
The team filed out of the room, leaving Hazel behind. She remained seated, her gaze filled with resentment as she watched Emma’s back disappear down the hallway.
It had been her carefully prepared presentation, one she had poured so much effort into.
At the dinner event, drinks flowed freely. While everyone else indulged in alcohol, Justin requested a bottle of juice and poured a glass for Emily himself.
“Try this. Let’s see which is better–this or the break room drinks?” he teased with a smirk.
Emily raised her eyebrows but said nothing. “Juice is juice what’s the difference?” she wondered.
Seeing her take a sip and casually say, “It’s good,” Justin seemed satisfied and turned his attention back to socializing.
After drinking several glasses of juice, Emily excused herself to go to the restroom.
As she exited the restroom, Emily stumbled upon a couple making out in the hallway. In such a public place with people passing by, their boldness was shocking.
Emily intended to walk past them quietly and pretend she hadn’t seen anything, but the man suddenly called out to her.
“Emily,” he said, stepping in front of her to block her path.
Emily recognized him from the dinner earlier–Jack Griffin, a senior manager. The woman beside him looked familiar. She seemed to be his secretary.
The smell of alcohol wafted over, and Emily instinctively took a step back, frowning and waving the smell away
from her nose.
Chapter 115
