Chapter 29 Trouble At Work

Claire's POV:

The next day, the company was rife with rumors, and upon seeing me, people either avoided me or gathered in groups to whisper behind my back.

The moment I stepped through the company's doors, I felt their pointed stares, guessing that the news of Peter being beaten up must have spread.

The situation was related to me, and I wasn’t going to deny it, but when the time came to face it openly, I would show no weakness!

"Claire, could you come here a moment?" My colleague Anne quietly called me over. I paused, then followed Anne to a corner of the corridor.

Anne was a lively and kind girl, and she had the closest relationship with me at work. Now that something had happened, she was the one I cared about the most. Anne looked troubled.

"Did you hear what everyone is saying about you?"

"I know, is it because of Peter getting beaten up?" I responded directly, "But there's a reason for that, and if it comes to an official inquiry, then I..."

"It's not just that!" Anne lowered her voice, "Claire, are you hiding something from everyone?"

I froze, bewildered. Anne sighed, and whispered in my ear, "I'll just tell you outright. The word has spread throughout the company, they're saying that you're married, to a thug who's done time..."

"They're saying that the guy who hit Peter yesterday is your husband! Everyone's talking about it, painting quite the picture, claiming your husband has a history of fighting and has served time, and that he was only recently released."

I found myself caught between laughter and tears, unable to speak for a while. Seeing my silence, Anne grew even more surprised.

"Claire, are you really married? Is your husband really that kind of person?"

"Yes, I'm married," I admitted, frankly.

"And it's true, my husband's past isn't glorious." Anne stepped back two paces, incredulous.

"But he's incredibly good to me," I said softly, yet every word seemed to fall crisply, like pearls hitting the ground.

"The reason I didn’t mention my marriage isn't because I was trying to hide it from you. There was no need for that. It's just that you never asked, and the company certainly hasn't decreed that married people can't be employed, right?"

Anne frowned slightly. "That may be true, but..."

"Anyway, my husband is a good man," I said calmly interrupted her "He may have been involved in brawls and spent time in jail before, but since our marriage, he has stopped all of that. The past is the past, and we're walking together towards the present and the future."

Anne smiled at me. "If I were in your shoes, I might not have the courage you do. Honestly, I admire you."

Anne took my hand and suddenly noticed the absence of a wedding ring. "But if you're married, why aren't you wearing a ring? The lack of one on your finger could certainly cause misunderstandings!"

I paused, looking down at my hands. Marrying Colin had been a rushed affair, and I didn't have the money for rings, let alone a ring exchange ceremony. I just married in a daze and never cared much for rings.

But then I remembered, in the silver box Colin gave me, wasn't there a ring? Just as the thought crossed my mind, a sharp voice rang out.

"Claire's husband wasted half his life in jail, how would he have money for a ring?" I snapped around to see Sarah approaching with a few others, her gaze sharp enough to cut.

"Take a page out of her book, everyone! Her husband may have been involved in fights, served time, smoked, and drank, but that doesn't stop him from being a good man, does it?"

"Yes," someone chimed in, "I heard her husband doesn’t even have a decent job, just lives off his wife's money! No wonder Claire works so hard, climbing into the bed of any man to get a deal signed!"

Sarah gritted her teeth. "And have you heard about Peter, being hit, by Claire's husband?"

I could feel Sarah's shock and anger. After all, he was just fooling her, obedient to her face, but keeping his options open, still thinking about me!

"Claire, you despicable whore!" Sarah sneered mockingly. "So, all this hard work lately was to save up for a diamond ring, huh?”

“When your husband can’t afford it, you can just get another man to give it to you, right? After all, men fall for your act every time; you get your 'orders' easily. All you need to do is sleep with a client to secure a deal!"

"Sarah Green!" My roar, silenced the few people who had been laughing, just a moment ago.

They all watched me quietly. I could feel a murderous look in my eyes, and the aura around me was chilling. For the first time, the usually gentle and humble me revealed a fierce side.

The others exchanged looks, while Sarah’s lips curled into a sinister smile. She tilted her head back and asked me, "What do you want to do?"

My body shook, fists clenched tightly. I kept telling myself with reason that this was the company, there were surveillance cameras overhead, I mustn't act recklessly. Sarah's words were meant to provoke me. If I actually struck out, then I'd be falling right into her trap!

After taking several deep breaths, I glared at Sarah and said word by word, "Sarah, as a supervisor, please watch your behavior. As Peter's girlfriend, please keep your man in line. My husband has already said if he dares to harass me again, he'll be beaten to a pulp!"

"Oh, are you threatening me?" Sarah stretched her mouth into a sneer.

"It's not a threat," I replied with a slight smile, "I just suddenly realize how wonderful it is to have a husband who’d risk anything to protect me. Unlike some people, who seem virtuous but the purpose of having a girlfriend, is just for some uncle or uncle's shares in the company."

Sarah was well aware of Peter's intentions for dating her, but having it called out in front of so many people hit a nerve.