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Chapter 67
Sometimes, the more you try to ignore the idle gossip, the louder it gets, as if people are itching to rip off your stoic mask and revel in your humiliation.
“Look at her face; you can tell she’s trash!”
“She’s probably just like Chloe; one seduces the CEO, and the other’s on the prowl for God knows who.”
“Ha, imagine if she’s after the CEO too? Now, that would be a show, dogs fighting over a bone.”
Matilda clenched her fists, turning on her computer where Chloe had sent her several files, detailing her day–to–day tasks and the company’s operations. She tried to block out the noise, focusing on the job at hand, determined to be worthy of Chloe’s extended hand.
In the afternoon, Declan returned, Chloe, as always, in tow. As she passed by, she dropped a piece of chocolate on Matilda’s desk and asked, “You holding up okay?” NôvelDrama.Org owns this.
Matilda looked up, her gaze cool and detached. “It’s fine, I’m not taking it to heart.”
“You just hang in there, and once your studio picks up again, you won’t have to deal with this crowd,” Chloe said, her voice tinged with sympathy, “Wish I could do more to help…”
“No need, you’ve already done plenty,” Matilda replied with a smile, “Don’t worry about it, go on with your work.”
Chloe nodded and hurried to catch up with Declan. As soon as she left, the office’s perception of Matilda twisted into something strange.
Despite their contempt and disdain, they had to show her a sliver of respect because of her influential backing. Matilda sneered inwardly at the so–called workplace politics; it was all so superficial.
Come evening, Chloe was waiting downstairs when she saw Yvan approaching their office building. The handsome man walked in with a commanding presence and striking features.
Chloe immediately messaged Matilda, warning her to stay put, but as fate would have it, they ran into each other as the elevator doors opened.
Yvan was visibly surprised to see Matilda there, his voice rising with a probing tone, “Why are you here?”
12:40
His implication was clear, suggesting Matilda was up to no good,
Matilda stepped out of the elevator, facing Yvan squarely. “That’s none of your business, Mr. Boyd,”
Yvan, who was about to take the elevator, stopped at her words, stepping forward and grabbing her wrist. “What, blacklisted by me, so now you’re desperately trying to latch onto Declan?”
Matilda’s eyes reddened with anger, her grip tightening. “Not everyone is as
despicable as you think, Mr. Boyd. No matter what, I refuse to climb the ladder on the coattails of a man! Let go of me, please!”
Her words rang with conviction, and Yvan’s heart skipped a beat as he released her. The moment he let go, Matilda turned and walked away without a backward glance, her departure as decisive as if Yvan were a mere stranger.
He watched her leave, squinting after her, just as Declan emerged from another elevator, greeting him.
The two men had business matters to discuss, and Yvan’s presence after hours wasn’t unusual. However, Yvan couldn’t help but ask, “Matilda works here?”
Declan thought for a moment, remembering Chloe’s arrangement to slot someone into the company, and nodded, “Yes, she does.”
Yvan clenched his jaw, “And what is she doing at your company?”
Declan couldn’t help but chuckle. “Working, what else?”