Chapter 2
Molly's face twisted with rage as she jabbed a finger at me, cursing me out, "So you're the vixen from Nevodon who tried to hook up with my fiancé.
"You shameless tramp, and you even had the guts to chase him all the way to Greville!"
The commotion drew a crowd of employees into the lobby, and soon, whispers and gossip filled the air.
One employee whispered, "She tried to hook up with Mr. Pearson? No way! Isn't she the manager from the Nevodon headquarters?"
Another cut in, "Who knows? You never really know what's going on inside someone's head."
Molly's face was twisted with rage.
She shouted, "Of course it's true. Randy's already told me all about it.
"He said he's got this college classmate who thinks she's hot stuff just because she's been around longer and has a few big deals under her belt. She won't leave him alone, always pestering him!
"Randy's such a good guy. He didn't want to make things awkward, so he even transferred to the Greville branch just to get away from her.
"But this woman is so shameless that she actually chased him all the way here!"
Molly pulled up her phone and flashed the chat to a few people standing close by.
"Look, these are all messages Randy sent me!" she declared.
Randy: [Babe, Louise just scored another deal to put pressure on me. I'm seriously losing it.]
[But she's the star performer at the company, and my dad totally treasures her. Otherwise, I would've kicked her out ages ago.]
[She cornered me again today, using some work reports as an excuse. If we weren't at the office, I would've gone off on her.]
[She's a total psycho. She's driving me up the wall.]
[Thank God I came to Greville and met you. You're the only thing keeping me sane.]
[Babe, I can finally feel at ease when I'm with you.]
Every accusation was twisted, each one cutting deep and hitting where it hurt the most.
Randy claimed I was using my sales numbers to pressure him and constantly harass him.
He said being around me every day was a living hell.
He called me a stalker he just couldn't get rid of, clingy and gross.
I joined Pearson Group because he promised to help me get a job there.
I wanted to be closer to him, so I was willing to start from scratch at Pearson Group, no matter how tough it was.
I worked my ass off to prove to my dad that my judgment was right.
It was seven years of my youth, seven years of loyalty, and seven years pouring my heart into him.
But to him, it was nothing but seven years of pathetic obsession and being a nuisance.
It turned out I was the real joke.
I clenched my fists so tight that I could feel rage boiling up, my head about to explode.
The crowd erupted with gossip all at once.
"Damn, so that's the real story? Poor Randy!"
"She's dressed to impress and looks pretty, but who knew she was so shameless behind the scenes!"
"Mr. Pearson's the perfect guy. He'd never go for someone like her. She could chase him forever and he'd never give her the time of day."
"For real! Molly's beautiful, kind, and comes from a good family. She and Mr. Pearson are a match made in heaven."
"Quick, take some pics and post them in the company group chat. Let everyone see what kind of person the HQ sent us!"
People whipped out their phones, snapping photos and recording videos of me, ready to spread the tea to their besties.
Lily, grinning smugly by Molly's side, yelled at me, "You hear that, you creep? Just get out of here!
"Pearson Group doesn't need someone with such a rotten character!"
I clenched my fists at my sides, then relaxed them again.
I said calmly, "Are you done?
"Do you really believe everything Randy told you?
"Did he ever mention that back in college, he was the one chasing after me, begging me to be his girlfriend?
"Three months straight, he waited outside my dorm with flowers, hoping I'd say yes. I only agreed after all that."
Molly let out a snort of laughter, and her colleagues cracked up right along with her.
"Randy chased after you? Are you crazy or just totally delusional?" Molly scoffed.
She pointed at the giant billboard outside the lobby. "See that? Everyone in Greville knows I'm Randy's fiancée.
"Are you seriously dreaming right now? Should I call an ambulance and get you a ticket to the psych ward?"
The crowd's gossip exploded, getting even wilder.
"Yeah, she's totally delusional. Someone should get her checked out!"
"Manager from HQ? Please, she looks like she just busted out of the loony bin!"
Molly's grin disappeared. "Randy's too kind to stoop to your level, but I'm not.
"Today, I'm going to give you the lesson you deserve for him, you shameless tramp!"
Before she could finish, Molly raised her hand and tried to slap me again.
I'd been expecting it, so I quickly sidestepped out of her reach.
That move sent Molly into a full-blown rage.
"You still dare to dodge me? Pin her down!" Molly barked.
Lily and a few of Molly's lackeys rushed over, each grabbing one of my arms and holding me tight.
I struggled hard, but one of the women twisted my arms behind my back and pinned me down.
"You really think you can gang up on me and hit me in front of everyone?" I shot back, my voice sharp.
"So what if I do?" Molly sneered.
Molly strutted right up to me, tapped my cheek with her hand, her face full of smug satisfaction.