Chapter 10
Elsie stood in front of Myra, her eyes blazing with jealousy as she spoke. “You’re the leader of Team A, and I’m the leader of Team B. We share the same position, yet you’ve completely disrespected the company’s management!” She smirked, crossing her arms. “Maybe you’ve secretly struck a deal with the Hart Group and you’re afraid I’ll find out, so you purposely left me out!”
As more colleagues gathered to watch the scene unfold, Elsie’s expression darkened with bitterness. “Oh, I get it now,” she continued, her voice dripping with disdain. “That’s why the Hart Group so easily handed us the project. There must be something going on between you and Mr. Logan from their Project Department, isn’t there?” She sneered, her words cutting deeply. “Mr. Logan is old enough to be your father—ugly, too. You must’ve sacrificed something to get this project, right? I remember you like Director Chase, don’t you? Even if he hasn’t noticed you, there’s no need to lower your standards, Myra.”
Myra’s hand tightened around her coffee mug, her gaze cold as she met Elsie’s words head-on. “Have you said enough?” she asked in a clipped tone. Before Elsie could react, Myra splashed hot coffee onto her, causing the woman to jump back with a shriek.
Elsie’s expensive Chanel outfit, a gift from Sean, was ruined as the coffee stained her collar and the hem of her blouse. The sight of the brown liquid spreading across her clothes made her nearly lose control.
Elsie screamed, “Myra, you—b*tch!” Her face twisted in rage as she fumed, her voice cracking.
Myra remained calm, though a disgusting feeling churned in her stomach. The woman before her—this shallow, petty person—was exactly the type Sean preferred. “Stop spewing nonsense,” Myra said, her free hand clenching into a fist at her side, holding back the dizziness threatening to overtake her. “I was just as surprised when the blueprint was chosen. I was having dinner with Director Hart last night, discussing the draft. Maybe you’d like to show us how to get his attention?”
She looked Elsie in the eye, her voice growing sharp. “You claim to be the leader of Team B, but have you ever produced a proper design? If you don’t have the capability to design, then do something you’re good at. Nobody’s stopping you.”
Elsie’s face blanched as Myra’s words hit home. Everyone knew that Elsie had only become Team B’s leader by relying on Director Chase. Myra’s words were a slap in the face, and Elsie’s expression darkened with humiliation.
“You… Myra… you…” Elsie stammered, her anger palpable.
Before Elsie could retort, a low, commanding voice interrupted the confrontation. “Why is everyone standing around here? Don’t you have work to do?” It was Sean, his presence enough to disperse the gathered crowd. His stern expression and authoritative tone silenced the room.
Elsie, sensing an opportunity, immediately ran to Sean, her eyes welling with tears as she clung to him. “Sea—Director Chase, you have to stand up for me! I only asked Myra about the Hart Group meeting last night, and she scolded me for not having the skills to lead Team B! Then she poured coffee on me! This is the outfit you bought me—my favorite one!”
She sniffled, biting her lip as she played the victim, her reddened eyes and stained outfit making her seem even more pathetic.
Myra, feeling a headache coming on, touched her forehead, realizing she was running a fever. Without waiting for Sean’s response, she quietly returned to her desk, picked up her draft, and began working, trying to focus despite the tension.
Sean’s deep voice, deliberately gentle, broke through her concentration. “I’ll go with you after work to buy another outfit,” he said, his tone softer than before.
Myra’s pen faltered in her hand, her heart sinking. Even though she had anticipated this outcome, hearing him console Elsie like that still pierced her. So, this is what he chooses. After all we’ve been through, this is what he’s willing to offer her.
Elsie, seeing Sean’s response, seemed to relent. She gave Myra one last look, her eyes filled with quiet fury, before leaving the office with Sean’s reassuring words still hanging in the air.
After Elsie left, Sean walked over to Myra’s desk and tapped lightly on it. “Mom has asked us to return together tonight. Don’t leave without me after work,” he said, his voice now tinged with impatience.
Myra, still fuming and feeling sick, looked up at him, her expression cold. “I have some things to do tonight,” she replied, her tone final.
“What things?” Sean frowned, his impatience growing.