Chapter 47 It Doesn’t Look Good
Oscar entered from outside, followed by a group of people. His commanding presence and chilling aura were so strong that everyone instinctively kept their distance.
Peilin had planned to make Pearl's life miserable, leaving her no chance to recover, but Oscar had returned at just the wrong moment.
Her hand hung mid-air as she pondered how to punish Pearl further.
But the moment Oscar arrived, Peilin was filled with fear, and the slap never made its way down.
"President Oscar!"
Everyone in the office parted to make way for him.
Oscar walked over, surveyed the chaotic scene, and saw Pearl being pinned down. His brows furrowed, and his expression turned stern as his eyes swept the room. "If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would never believe this was my company, but rather the territory of Deputy CEO Gao!"
Deputy CEO Gao's complexion shifted, feeling the weight of Oscar's words diminishes his bravado by half. He could only placate, "Not at all, President Oscar. Pearl merely hit my niece, and as our family's treasure, no one had ever laid hands on her before. She's suffered too much, and I, as her uncle, must support her. Moreover, Pearl is too arrogant. After assaulting someone, she refuses to admit her fault and even has the audacity to lecture me. How can someone like that be fit to stay by your side?"
He highlighted Pearl's faults, hoping Oscar would see her as unworthy, and decided to dismiss her.
Pearl was still a secretary despite everything, and Oscar was expected to be on her side.
Oscar asked Pearl, "Do you agree with what the deputy CEO said?"
Pearl replied, "I don't agree. It was Hillary who was badmouthing me behind my back, tarnishing my reputation. She didn't restrain herself when I found out and provocatively lashed out in my presence. She hurt me, and I am defending my rights. I've done nothing wrong and won't admit to any faults!"
"Look at that, President Oscar, how arrogant Pearl is. She won't admit her mistake and still believes she's in the right," the deputy CEO said angrily.
Oscar's icy gaze turned to the deputy CEO, "Didn't you hear? Your niece was the one who provoked matters first. What's wrong with Pearl?"
He stood firmly by Pearl's side, not mincing his words, which caught the deputy CEO off guard. Regaining his composure with a stern face, he said, "President Oscar, it was my niece who got hit!"
He thought perhaps Oscar hadn't heard properly.
Oscar’s expression remained stoic, his tone cold, "Deputy CEO, do you think that because you're a long-time executive at Brown Group, I should side with family over fairness?"
Feeling the piercing stare of Oscar's cold eyes, the deputy CEO felt as if a knife was pointed at him, fearing a single wrong word could make it strike.
He immediately felt the pressure.
"At Brown Group, all are treated equally. If a mistake is made, punishment is due. Your niece was arrogant and disrespectful to her superiors. She needs to be disciplined. Is there anything incorrect in what I'm saying?"
His words caused the others in the office to look at each other, agreeing but also sensing that something was off.
However, as far as they were concerned, what Oscar said was always right.
Hillary couldn't believe it, "President Oscar, it's Pearl who's bullying people..."
Oscar’s steely gaze turned to Hillary.
Hillary, who had been full of righteous indignation, started to shrink back when she met Oscar's sharp look. Her voice got softer until. Eventually, she hid behind her uncle, the deputy CEO, too afraid to speak further.
Oscar's deep, detached eyes then moved back to the deputy CEO, "Deputy CEO, your niece seems to enjoy talking quite a bit."
Even though the deputy CEO was visibly upset, he dared not say anything further at that moment.
He understood the subtext; Hillary’s lack of discretion was not endearing her to Oscar.
He grabbed Hillary to prevent further trouble, worried that too much talk could lead to his downfall at Brown Group. He quickly tried to smooth things over, "President Oscar, I didn't see things clearly. I misunderstood. I apologize for any inconvenience caused to Secretary Pearl."
With a hand casually placed in his pocket, Oscar showed no emotion, yet his words were stern, "It's good that the deputy CEO understands. Does your niece understand, too?"
Vice CEO Gao pulled Hillary aside, "You talked back to Secretary Pearl. Now you better apologize, and don't go gossiping behind her back in the future."
Hillary couldn't believe that after being slapped twice, she was being told to apologize. "Uncle, why should I apologize to her? I won't apologize!" she protested, tears welling up and beginning to make a scene right there.
Once again, Vice CEO Gao looked at Oscar, seeing his furrowed brow, a clear sign that his patience was wearing thin.
In the Brown Group, it was well known that Oscar was a man of his word, firm in his decisions. If anyone wanted to avoid trouble, it was best not to entangle themselves with him excessively.
Thus, Vice CEO Gao decisively slapped her, "Don't you act on impulse with me. Apologize right now, or you'll kneel here until you do!"
Hillary had never been struck by him before. Being the family's favorite at home, she was utterly stunned by her uncle's anger, held her face in shock, managing to look at Pearl through her tears, and with a trembling voice, said, "Pearl, I spoke out of turn and spread nonsense, I'm sorry."
This left Peilin in utter disbelief. Even the formidable Vice CEO Gao was no match for Pearl.
In a bid to stand up for Pearl, Oscar hadn't even spared Vice CEO Gao's dignity.
Peilin now realized that no one could cross her as long as Oscar stood by Pearl.
Pearl herself hadn't anticipated Oscar's unconditional support. Despite his claim of "supporting justice, not relationships," his instincts always led him to take her side.
After the commotion settled down, Oscar returned to his office as usual.
The office staff had taken note. Nobody could bully Pearl here. They all tried their best to ingratiate themselves with her.
Even Peilin had to retreat, tucking her tail between her legs, staying well away for fear of suffering if she lingered for too long.
Pearl, carrying some files, headed to Oscar's office. Just as she entered, Oscar's voice floated over, "Did it hurt you?"
She glanced back, "No."
"If you're ever in trouble, don't try to tough it out alone. You can call me. If it wasn't for your little assistant telling me, I would've had no idea you were being bullied," Oscar said.
It was Queenie who had secretly informed him.
Pearl stood there, looking at Oscar, who had returned his focus to work. On the verge of speaking, she handed over the files but couldn't help herself, "Why do you always have to stand up for me unconditionally in the office? People talk, and doing this, they'll surely start to speculate, and our relationship will become the hot topic."
Oscar looked up, inquiring, "What relationship?"
Pearl opened her mouth but found herself unable to voice the truth.
They had been secretly married for three years, and nobody knew.
Namely, because Pearl knew how to avoid arousing suspicion.
Even though she was Oscar's personal secretary, she maintained a professional distance to avoid giving people a chance to gossip.
There were two main issues. Oscar seemed indifferent to her. No matter how tough and exhausting her work was, he never offered to help her out.
When she remained silent, Oscar emphasized again, "Hmm? Pearl, what's the relationship you're talking about?"
Pearl, holding her hands tightly, knew she shouldn't overthink it and forced a smile, "You're not aware? Everyone's spreading rumors that I'm your mistress, and that's not going to have a good impact on me in the future."
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