Chapter 283
I furrowed my brow, the office politics growing more tangled by the minute. The seemingly perfect couple, a sham. The supposed camaraderie among colleagues, a facade.
Silence stretched between us, broken only by the ping of another voice message from Nicole. "Please don't be mad," she pleaded, her voice thick with unshed tears. "I honestly had no idea."
Her distress felt genuine. "Does Lucas know?"
"He's Ms. Wilson's pet. Mr. Foster wants me to get close to him. He doesn't know the reason, but I do. Lucas has... unsavory intentions towards Ms. Smith."
That creep was after Jenny too?
Disgust twisted my gut.
"There's a rumor going around... might be relevant to all this."
My interest piqued. "Tell me more."
"They say Ms. Smith got her promotion by sleeping with the chairman!"
The words hit me like a physical blow, leaving me reeling.
She was already a director when I joined, and her divorce from that deadbeat was finalized just last year.
Back then, she was still married, a fact that wouldn't have escaped Steven's notice. Yet, he still gave her control of the marketing department.
The most important department in Skyliho, the engine that drove the entire company.
Confusion warred with a growing sense of unease. Could Nicole be right? Were they really involved?
Why else would Linda be so hell-bent on destroying her?
I lit a cigarette, the nicotine doing little to soothe my frayed nerves.
The pieces of the puzzle were falling into place, forming a disturbing picture.
Steven was protecting Jenny, and Linda wanted revenge.
A wave of despair washed over me. This wasn't a game between me and Joseph, but a power struggle between Steven and him.
And I was just a pawn in their game, completely out of my depth.
The realization stung, leaving me feeling foolish and used.
John, Troy, they were all insignificant. Was I just another notch on Jenny's bedpost, a plaything to satisfy her desires?
Were all her promises nothing but carefully crafted lies?
A sharp, visceral pain stabbed at my chest.
I crushed the cigarette, the urge to confront Jenny battling with the knowledge that I had no right.
The smoke from the open window swirled around me, mirroring my turbulent thoughts. I had to get to the bottom of this.
Maybe Nicole and Lucas were the key. I could use them to uncover Linda's secrets.
She had to have some.
"That's everything I know," Nicole said.
"So, we're allies now?"
"I guess," I replied. "But I strongly advise against what you're planning."
"Why?"
"Because you'll get caught in the crossfire. You'll both end up going down."
"Don't try to scare me."
"Scare you?" I scoffed. "If this is all Ms. Huang's doing, she'll silence you without hesitation."
"You're saying she'll get rid of me to cover her tracks?"
"Good, you're not completely clueless." I continued, "Even if you try to expose her, you have no proof. Who do you think Mr. Walton will believe, his wife or you?"
"His wife, obviously."
"Exactly. People protect their own. When you targeted John, Mr. Foster didn't know, did he?"
"How... how did you know?" Surprise colored her voice.
It was an educated guess, nothing more.
If Linda wanted me gone, firing me would be cleaner. This elaborate scheme was unnecessary.
"That's not important. Trust me, don't go through with it. And don't believe her promises of taking over for Jenny. It's a lie."
"Who... who are you? How do you know so much?"
Her words were laced with a newfound fear. Had I struck a nerve?
Did Linda actually promise her Jenny's position?
"Think about it. If Mr. Walton and Jenny are an item, and you get rid of his woman, who do you think will be next?"
"You're right... I didn't think of that." Her voice trembled.
"But you're already in too deep. If you don't comply, she'll crush you. Delay, and she'll find someone else. You'll be used and discarded by Lucas, left with nothing."
"Won't Lucas face consequences?"
"Don't be naive. He's the project director, Mr. Wilson's golden boy. Ms. Huang may not have absolute power, but getting rid of you is nothing to her."
Panic tinged her voice now. I couldn't believe Linda chose such a gullible pawn.
But her naivety played in my favor.
"What should I do? Please, tell me! I'll do anything you ask!"
"I can give you an experience fit for a king," she breathed, her words heavy with a desperate sort of flirtation. "And I swear, you'll be the only one."
She was attractive, I'd give her that, but she paled in comparison to the women I knew.
Her attempts at seduction were clumsy, rehearsed.
Lying came naturally to her.
Mia Green was in a different league altogether. A look, a word from her was enough to drive me wild.
"Anything?" I echoed, letting a hint of amusement creep into my voice.
"Anything!"
"Then get on your knees and call me Daddy."
"And make it convincing."
Silence followed. Just as I thought she was reconsidering, a video popped up on my phone.
Nicole was kneeling, completely naked, her expression a mixture of fear and something else entirely. "Daddy~" she purred, "Please help your baby."
The blood rushed south.
This woman was shameless.
"Daddy, are you pleased?" she asked.
"Not bad," I replied, my voice carefully neutral. "If you want to survive this, you need leverage. Find dirt on Linda, as much as you can. And document everything she asks you to do."
"But I'm scared."
"Fear is a luxury you can't afford. It's better than being thrown away like trash, used and discarded. Is that what you want?"
"No! Never!"
"Good. This is a silent war, and you need to fight for yourself. Use everything you have."
"What do I have?" she cried. "I have nothing!"
"Then create something. Right now, I'm your only hope, understand?"
"Daddy, please, guide your loyal daughter."
She was really getting into character.
"Find something on Lucas, something to scare him, something to bind him to you. But don't sleep with him, it won't work. Let him think he's in control, but keep your distance."
"And like I said, find dirt on Linda. As for Jenny, leave her be for now."
"But she's given me a month!"
"A month is enough," I assured her. "And don't even think about targeting John. He's the chairman's assistant, untouchable. He could crush you like an ant."
"I know," she sighed. "That bastard got lucky, getting close to the chairman."
"Lucky? You think it's just luck? Maybe he has powerful connections you know nothing about." My voice was low, laced with insinuation.
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