Chapter 13: Chapter 13

385 words

<html><head></head><body>Adrienne Klein strode into the design department in her high heels, immediately surrounded by three senior employees. "Manager, the new girl threw away all our things!" "She tore up my design sketches!" "And my favorite mug..." They clamored with accusations, one even squeezing out a few tears. Adrienne frowned, scanning the room before her gaze landed on Evelyn Roland in the corner. "A newcomer bullying veterans?" She smirked coldly. "I, Adrienne Klein, despise such power-tripping behavior." Evelyn opened her mouth to explain, but Hannah Clementson from the opposite workstation interrupted timidly. "N-no, that's not what happened..." Hannah stood up hesitantly. "They took Evelyn's seat first..." Three pairs of venomous eyes immediately shot toward Hannah, making her nearly collapse back into her chair. Adrienne narrowed her eyes. "Hannah, explain clearly."  Under the manager's piercing stare, the three seniors stammered incoherently. "Consider your bonuses docked this month!" Adrienne snapped. "Next time, you're fired!" They slunk back to their seats, shooting Hannah a murderous glare on the way. "Evelyn Roland." Adrienne turned to the newcomer. "You're staying late tonight to clean the office." She intended to put this privileged girl in her place. To Adrienne's surprise, Evelyn simply nodded in calm acceptance.  Once the manager left, Jessica Rubinstein stormed over to Hannah. "Traitor!" She raised her hand to strike. A colleague quickly pulled her back. "Don't be rash. We'll deal with her later." Hannah shrank into herself like a frightened rabbit. "They..." she whispered to Evelyn. "Jessica has connections..." Evelyn studied the kind-hearted girl and gave a slight nod. "Thank you."  After hours, Evelyn cleaned the office alone. Adrienne, passing by, paused at the sight, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. This socialite was actually doing the work properly? Meanwhile, in the Valdemar Group CEO's office... Sebastian Valdemar replayed the surveillance footage with a dark expression. "Still no leads?" Zachary Merouin lounged on the sofa. "Maybe she's hideous?"  "Shut up," Sebastian said coldly. His assistant Theodore Ashcroft entered. "We found the culprit. It was Isabella Langley, the Roland family's adopted daughter." Zachary nearly fell off the couch. "Your fiancée tried to kill you?" A dangerous glint flashed in Sebastian's eyes. An engagement? He'd never cared about it. But that mysterious woman... he couldn't seem to forget her. "Prepare the car," he stood. "We're going to the Rolands'."  </body></html>