Chapter 191 Regina Is Deeply Loved
Leo's purpose for hosting this dinner party was simply to publicly reveal Regina's identity and let the world know how much the Semona family valued her.
The Semona family members protected and pampered her with their actions.
After Leo presented the emerald ring to Regina, Herman and Elizabeth followed suit with their gifts.
That night, Regina was the absolute star, the darling constantly followed by the spotlight.
During the family photo session, Regina was even pushed to the center by Leo.
The dinner party hosted by the Semona family, to put it mildly, had become a well-known event.
The next day at work, this naturally became the talk of the office.
"Did you see the news yesterday?"
"Oh my god, they say that ring is worth over a hundred million dollars!"
"That's not the point. The point is, did you see the photos and videos from the dinner party? Everyone in the Semona family seems to adore her! I thought Regina was playing the Cinderella role, but it turns out everyone likes her!"
"They're so happy!"
Early in the morning, Lucia was annoyed by her colleagues' lively discussions.
She pulled her chair out heavily, planning to go outside for some fresh air.
Unexpectedly, as soon as she stepped out of the office, she saw Regina coming to the Translation Department to find Janet.
Lucia couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that had settled over her ever since she learned that Regina was Mrs. Semona.
After all, she had done plenty to undermine Regina.
With this on her mind, Lucia approached Regina and blocked her path.
Her face was ashen, her eyelashes trembling uncontrollably.
It was clear that fear wasn't her only emotion; Regina could also see the stubborn defiance in her eyes.
"I need to talk to you," Lucia said, her voice barely a whisper.
Regina looked at her coolly, her expression impassive. "What's on your mind?"
Lucia took a deep breath, seemingly wrestling with her thoughts for what felt like an eternity before she finally found the courage to speak, "About what happened before—I'm sorry. I really need this job. Can you please not ruin it for me?"
"So, because you need this job, I should pity you? Do you expect me to throw you a lifeline?" Regina's tone was dismissive as she turned to walk away.
Lucia stared at her, stunned for a moment, before scrambling to catch up.
"Regina…" Lucia's voice cracked as she called out, her face a picture of wounded innocence. Tears streamed down her cheeks like a broken faucet. "You can't just use your power to crush me. I've been in this department for six years, and my skills are well recognized. You can't just bully me because you dislike me."
Lucia's knack for twisting the truth was as sharp as ever. Her raised voice drew the attention of everyone nearby, who began to stare.
Regina looked at her coldly. "Has the HR manager not informed you about your termination yet?"
Termination?
"You're actually firing me?"
"Yes, it's your own doing."
"You…"
Before Lucia could say anything more, Regina walked into Janet's office and shut the door behind her.
Lucia trembled with rage, her face flushed as she returned to her own office.
She expected, as usual, that her colleagues would swarm around her, eager to find out what had happened. Instead, everyone remained at their desks, not even glancing in her direction.
Desperation set in. Lucia felt on the verge of a breakdown.
As if to add insult to injury, it wasn't long before the HR manager himself arrived with a termination letter, instructing her to go to HR to complete her exit procedures.
The news pushed her over the edge.
Lucia tore the termination letter to shreds, her voice sharp and laced with bitterness. "Just a short while ago, Regina told me I was fired. Less than half an hour later, here's the termination letter in my hands. So, let me warn you all—watch your backs in front of her. If not, you might end up like me, on the receiving end of her petty revenge!"
Lucia no longer cared about the fallout; if she was leaving the company, she was determined to drag Regina's reputation through the mud.
Sue, one of her colleagues, muttered, "Regina has nothing to do with your firing."
Lucia sneered, "Of course you'd say that. You're just kissing up to her because she's Mr. Semona's wife."
She couldn't understand when her once-favorable standing in the office had begun to slip away. Now, everyone seemed to turn their backs on her.
Just as Lucia was about to explode with frustration, Janet strode in on her high heels. "Regina has nothing to do with your dismissal. We've already uncovered the fraud from your last performance review. You're being fired because of that."
Lucia stared at Janet in shock, as if she'd been struck in the head. She wanted to defend herself, but Janet cut her off before she could say a word. "Your uncle is also being dismissed. He was informed as well. The evidence is clear, and the company has already made the announcement. Didn't you see the notifications on your phone?"
Lucia slumped into her chair, her strength draining away. It suddenly made sense why everyone had been avoiding her the moment she walked into the office.
At that moment, Lucia felt like a clown, utterly ridiculous.
Janet's voice echoed clearly in the office, unwavering and resolute. "Regina could've taken you down long ago if she wanted to get personal. She's been Mr. Semona's wife for a while now. She had both the power and the opportunity to fire you the first time you crossed her or tried to undermine her. But she didn't. She's been fair and just, never using her position to target you or anyone else.
"So, don't blame Regina or anyone else. This is all on you."
