He dragged the progress bar, unveiling the moment when Yvette’s words of contempt rang out clearly. “Were you truly trying to protect Katelyn, or were you just performing for everyone else?” he asked coldly.
Zoey’s true motives were laid bare for everyone to see.
Her fists tightened, her eyes wide with shock and confusion. What had happened? How had things ended up this way? Wasn’t this supposed to play out like a classic romance story? Wasn’t the powerful CEO supposed to step in and protect the helpless woman in distress? But instead, all Zoey could read on Vincent’s face was irritation. This wasn’t how things were meant to unfold.
With a sense of injustice boiling inside her, Zoey fixed her gaze firmly on Vincent. “Mr. Adams, if this is what you believe, then fine. I have nothing more to say.” She clenched her teeth, a single tear slipping down her cheek, her silence echoing the hurt of someone wronged but choosing to endure it in silence.
Yvette gave a sharp roll of her eyes, arms folded tightly across her chest. With a mocking tone, she sneered, “So you still dare to pretend you’re someone you’re not in front of Mr. Adams? Have you been watching too many dramas? Do you actually believe your petty tricks will fool Mr. Adams?”
Despite his youth, Vincent stood at the very top of the Adams Group, holding the powerful position of its sole leader. In only a few short years, he had catapulted the company into the ranks of the global top 100. If Vincent lacked the perception to see through Zoey’s manipulative moves, the Adams Group would have been on the brink of multiple failures.
“I…” Zoey tried to say something, but the words refused to come out. Vincent’s patience wore thin as he scowled, his brow furrowing.
“That’s enough!” With a cold expression, he faced Yvette and said, “This month’s bonus and salary are canceled.”
g?ν﹐
“If you continue to slander Miss Bailey, you’ll be fired on the spot.”
“And you.” Vincent’s voice grew serious as he turned to Zoey.
Zoey’s hands tightened into fists, her eyes a mix of nervousness and eager expectation. This couldn’t be happening. She couldn’t lose her job on her very first day.
Vincent looked at Katelyn, his face completely unreadable. “For Miss Bailey’s sake, I’ll give you one more chance. But let this be clear—if something like this happens again, you’re out.”
Zoey nodded, her heart sinking. She couldn’t help but steal a glance at Katelyn. She had done it for Katelyn, but now she remained silent, offering no support.
All the kindness Zoey had shown to Katelyn felt like it had been for nothing. If only Katelyn could hear Zoey’s thoughts, she’d probably find it ironic. For ten long years, Katelyn had been there for Zoey, but now it seemed to count for nothing.
On holidays, Zoey would simply send Katelyn a message wishing her well. Along with the greeting, she would quietly ask for more money, claiming the previous amount wasn’t enough to cover her needs.
.
.
.