Chapter 46 A Lesson Learned
Only Hillary felt that Pearl was scared, arms crossed over her chest with an air of superiority, "Some people just love to play pretend. Don't do it if you don't want others to find out!"
Pearl washed her hands, picked up a paper towel to dry them, and turned to look at Hillary with a smile, "Are you talking to me?"
Hillary, feeling righteous and indignant, asked, "What are you pretending for? The whole company knows about your sordid affairs. I would have resigned in shame if I were you."
Pearl asked, "What shameful affair, and who's spreading rumors?"
"Do we even need rumors? People have seen it themselves! You were out wining and dining with several men!" Unaware of her inappropriate comments, Hillary continued arrogantly, "I bet your current position was gained through such favors. It’s disgusting how far someone will fall..."
With a sharp slap, Pearl said nothing but swung her hand across Hillary's face.
The sound made others nearby jump in shock.
Hillary, not expecting Pearl to lash out physically, stood frozen for several moments before her eyes widened in disbelief, "You dare to hit me? Even my own parents have never struck me. How dare you?"
With a chilling tone, Pearl retorted, "And you think you have the right to slander me without consequences? If you continue to spread lies behind my back, it won’t just be a slap. I'll take you to court and make sure you understand that your foolish words could land you in jail!"
Hillary, eyes red with fury, nearly stamped her foot, "What right do you have, Pearl, you're just a..."
As she attempted to retaliate, Pearl, ready for her attack, caught her wrist and delivered another slap across her other cheek.
Hillary had no chance to defend herself, her face turning red as she let out a pitiful cry.
Never having been treated this way, her anger exploded.
Pearl said coldly, "Some people never learn their place at Brown Group until they're taught a hard lesson."
"Pearl, what gives you the right to strike me?" Hillary yelled.
The commotion had drawn a crowd, and everyone came over to see the spectacle.
Peilin, informed of the incident, rushed over only to witness her subordinate being hit by Pearl. Her eyes widened as she pulled them apart.
Seeing one of her own people struck was like a slap to Peilin's face.
Seeing her arrival, Hillary cried out for help, "Peilin!"
She ran to Peilin, covering her face, "She hit me; it's just too much!"
Peilin pulled Hillary behind her, seething with rage, "You’ve gone mad, far too arrogant. Do you think Brown Group belongs to you, that they should follow your orders? And now you're hitting people, completely disregarding my authority!"
Pearl shook her hand to alleviate the soreness and snapped, "If you think she's your person, then you better keep her in line. Don't let her spread nonsense. That's your responsibility. Why would I have to discipline her if she hadn't messed up?"
"Who's talking nonsense? Was she spouting nonsense? No, she was telling the truth. Everyone in the company knows about your dirty little schemes!" Peilin retorted arrogantly. "Isn't that how you climbed the ranks?"
Pearl realized the source of the problem. "So, this is the garbage coming from you."
Like manager, like assistant.
Peilin was fabricating stories to smear Pearl's reputation.
Over the years, there had been a few rumors, none of which had affected Pearl’s life significantly. She'd typically ignore them.
But this time was different; the attack was personal.
Naturally, Peilin wouldn't admit to any wrongdoing. "Pearl, don't go blaming others for your problems. Even if I kept quiet, someone else would talk. You hitting Hillary is no excuse. Apologize to her, and this all goes away. But if you don't, this is far from over."
With an audience watching, Peilin couldn't just drop it.
She needed to show she wasn't afraid of Pearl and stand her ground. Besides, Pearl was essentially slapping her in the face!
"Wipe your mouth before you speak," Pearl said coldly, "I won't apologize."
"Pearl, you're going to pay for what you did today!" Peilin grabbed Hillary's hand, recalling her family's influence. "You should have checked out who Hillary's family is before crossing her. Offend her and you can kiss your job goodbye. I'd like to see how you're going to stay in this industry then!"
Seething, Hillary threatened, "I'm going to tell my uncle about this. Pearl, your days are numbered!"
With that, Hillary stormed out of the restroom.
Hillary's uncle was the company's Deputy CEO, wielding considerable power.
For a Deputy CEO to fire someone was a simple task.
This office had several secretaries, and Pearl was just one of them.
Offending the Deputy CEO's niece was grounds for dismissal by any common standard.
Out of respect for the Deputy CEO's position, Oscar was likely to turn a blind eye.
Peilin had researched Hillary's background precisely to use it to her advantage and to badmouth Pearl when convenient.
She made sure the negative talk spread behind Pearl's back, letting others do her dirty work.
The office staff didn't want to cross Pearl, knowing she had plenty of scandals attached to her name, and they remained tight-lipped.
Hillary, being the impetuous newcomer she was, didn't hold back and would blurt out things, exacerbating the conflict with Pearl.
With Pearl having offended Hillary and doing it so brazenly, she was in for a harsh reckoning.
That was the outcome Peilin had been aiming for.
She wanted to push her out of the industry once and for all, squashing the oppression she felt for so many years.
Peilin saw Hillary storm off and thought Pearl wouldn't get off easily this time and would definitely face severe punishment. That thought delighted her.
The others at the office, who loved a good spectacle, also felt sympathy for Pearl.
After all, Pearl was just a secretary, certainly with less authority than the deputy CEO. They feared she was in trouble now!
Soon enough, the tall deputy CEO came rushing over with Hillary in tow, upset about his niece's ordeal, and demanded to know, "Who did it? Who dared to bully my Hillary?"
Hillary pointed at Pearl in the break room and exclaimed, "It was her. She hit me, Uncle, and I've never been struck before!"
Peilin watched the drama unfold, feigning concern as she played the good guy, "Deputy CEO, I'm so sorry I couldn't look after Hillary properly. My influence in this office is just too minimal."
Her words subtly informed the deputy CEO that she and Pearl were on the same level, yet she found herself under Pearl's thumb.
Pearl had become too arrogant in the office.
The deputy CEO had already heard about Pearl's not-so-stellar reputation, but since she was a favorite of President Oscar, he had never spoken about it. Now that the issue landed on his doorstep, he couldn't let it slide, "Pearl, you think you can hit my niece just because you're a mere secretary and cozy up to President Oscar? You think that makes you untouchable? With one word from me, you're out of Brown Group!"
The deputy CEO had been at Brown Group much longer than Pearl.
They weren't in the same department, and except for company events, they barely crossed paths.
Pearl was a person of principles, not the type to gossip or to take every piece of slander to heart unless it crossed a line.
However furious the deputy CEO was, she stood her ground, "Deputy CEO, I know Hillary is your favorite niece, and you spoil and love her. That's your prerogative. But fairness matters. She disobeys others, spreads rumors about me, and expects no consequences? Actions have results, and a Deputy CEO can't indulge her without limit."
"Outrageous! You're unrepentant and dare to lecture me? I'm going to teach you a lesson today!" the deputy CEO bellowed with anger. "Someone grab Pearl; let's see how tough she can be!"
The office staff hesitated, too scared to act against Pearl, even with the deputy CEO's authority.
Seeing their reluctance, the deputy CEO's face hardened, "What is this? My orders don't move you?"
Peilin seized the opportunity, saying eagerly, "I'll do it! Grab Pearl for me!"
Her cronies quickly took hold of Pearl.
Pearl struggled, but she was overpowered like a prisoner, and she continued, "This is the workplace, not the Gao household. You're only doing her a disservice by indulging her and always coming to her defense!”
"You don't get a say!" Deputy CEO Gao's icy glare towered above her. "You hit my niece, and that's as good as slapping me in the face. Keep slapping her until she admits her wrongdoing!"
Peilin was delighted by this turn of events—it was the perfect chance for her to lay hands on Pearl.
She stood in front of Pearl, who stubbornly refused to bow her head. Peilin's perfectly done French manicure nearly dug into Pearl's skin as she grabbed her chin.
Pearl winced in pain.
With a cold voice, Peilin said, "Pearl, now that you've fallen into my hands as CEO, let's see how you'll dodge this!"
She rolled up her sleeves, ready to mar the seductive face that captivated Oscar.
Once she lost her beauty, she'd no longer be able to hold Oscar's heart.
And when she'd be kicked out of Brown Group and unable to find a job, she'd be no better than a beggar.
The thought alone brought Peilin joy.
Just as her hand was about to strike, a commanding and indifferent voice resonated from outside, "Try laying a finger on her!"
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