Chapter 41
Marguerite slipped her phone back into her pocket and leveled a cool gaze at Hannah. “You and Joshua need to sort out your own drama. Keep other people out
of it p>
There was a saying on TikTok that all it takes to solve a couple’s problems in a romance novel is a night of passionate hate-sex.
Seeing Marguerite’s tone soften, Hannah nodded eagerly. “I understand. I’ll never bother Theobald again p>
But a question still burned in her mind. “So, you’re the Marguerite he’s always talking about p>
She had never seen Theobald so deferential to a woman before. He might have been wrapped around her finger, but this was different-this was genuine submission.
Before Marguerite could answer, one of the executives the same one she had called handsome-spoke up indignantly. “That’s right! A dirty mind sees dirt everywhere. Our Maggie is nothing like you p>
Hannah glanced from Marguerite to Theobald and back again, the corner of her mouth twitching. “Theobald looks ancient next to you p>
Theobald’s face fell.
He pointed a finger toward the door, his voice cold as ice. “Get out p>
Hannah desperately wanted Marguerite to delete the recording, but she was cornered, completely stripped of any leverage. She clenched her fists and, with her assistant in tow, scurried out of the office in disgrace.
Since she’s Theobald’s sister, she reasoned, she probably won’t leak the recording. It would hurt him, too.
While a CEO having a fling with a starlet was typical tabloid fodder, a CEO being played for a fool was a different story entirely. It would make him look incompetent, and the company’s stock would undoubtedly take a hit.
Silence finally settled over the office.
Theobald turned to Anna, his voice sharp. “Delete Hannah’s facial recognition data from the company system.” ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ ͟.net
“Right away, Mr. Scott,” Anna replied.
The executives breathed a collective sigh of relief.
“Mr. Scott,” Grace said, “you must be more careful in the future p>
Theobald nodded grimly. “I will be p>
Marguerite had no intention of releasing the recording; it was a classic case of mutually assured destruction. With a superstar like Joshua involved, there was no telling which way public opinion would swing. But she didn’t fully agree with the executives’ assessment.
She fixed her gaze on Theobald. “The company took a massive hit, but you can’t pin
it all on Hannah. Don’t think you can just play the victim here, Theobald p>
The brilliant sparkle in the young woman’s eyes was gone, replaced by an icy seriousness.
A knot of dread formed in Theobald’s stomach.
“You were a love-struck idiot,” Marguerite said, her voice cutting. “She showed you a little kindness, and you immediately thought she was confessing her love. She called you Theo’ a few times, and you were floating on cloud nine. Did you ever stop to think? If she really cared why was she always running hot and cold? You’re not a piece of meat she’s testing for tenderness p>
Theobald winced.
Anna blinked, surprised by Marguerite’s sharp critique. This
wasn’t just a slap for Hannah; it was
a two-handed smackdown for
Theobald. Marguerite wasn’t letting her brother off the hook faste
because he was family. She was
looking at the situation objectively.
It was like when a husband cheats. A wife can’t just blame the other woman. Even if
she was the seductress, the husband still made a choice.
Hearing Marguerite put it that way, the executives had to agree. The young Miss was remarkably perceptive. After chatting with her for a few more minutes, they returned to their duties.
On his way out, Sean received a message from a headhunting firm.
[Mr. Smith, we’ve finalized the salary offer. It’s a five percent increase, same position. If all four of you come over, the year-end bonuses will be even higher p>
Sean showed the message to his colleagues.
All three shook their heads. “No way. I think I’ll stick with Starlight Group p>
A wide grin spread across Sean’s face as he typed his reply: [Thanks, but no
thanks. Our Miss Marguerite is back! We’re staying with Starlight Group until we
die p>
Meanwhile, in the company gossip chat, everyone was on the edge of their seats, waiting for news about the Hannah-Marguerite showdown.
Finally, the receptionist posted an update.
[Everyone can relax! Hannah and her assistant just left with their tails between their
legs. Looks like a total victory for Marguerite p>
The Notification Squad: [YES! Back to work p>
No Thoughts, Head Empty: [YES! Back to pooping p>
Paper Stars: [YES! Back to making out p>
The Notification Squad @Paper Stars: [You punk, tell me what floor you’re on. I will
take out a loan to have someone beat you up p>
The chat erupted in laughter, the tension finally broken.
Lost in the Sauce: [Aw, I’m a little sad, though. Does this mean Mr. Scott and
Hannah are officially over? I’m crying p>
CatfishedByAn_eGirl: [Don’t worry. Ships are like subway trains. Another one will be along in a minute. Stay calm p>
Receptionist: [I’m kind of shipping
Anna and Marguerite, tbh. You guys didn’t see Anna sprinting back to the
office, I’ve never seen our cool
sophisticated Anna lose her composure like that p>
DiamondHands: [Excellent! My ship has come in! The crops are watered, my skin is
clear p>