Chapter 38 The Espionage Storm
Finally, Noah and all the heads of the Sales Department emerged from the meeting room, including Linda. Their faces were brimming with joy, as if they had just received some great news.
"Linda, I knew I wasn't wrong about you, your future with the company is boundless!" Theodore , the head of the first sales division, exclaimed.
Blushing, Linda modestly replied, "You're too kind, Theodore . I only strive to do my best for the company."
"Heh heh heh, if I could, I'd snap you up for my department in a heartbeat. Mr. Martin, would you be willing to part with such a sharp secretary?" The Department Head joked.
Noah was quite serious in his response, "Linda is so talented. Who am I to let a secretarial position limit her sales potential? Since the Department Head asks, consider this a favor done for you."
"Ha ha ha, then I'll take you up on that, no reservations."
The group joined in laughter. Lauren, on the other hand, was in a fog. She didn't catch what everyone was talking about and wasn't interested in prying. It wasn't until Noah had returned to his office that she went over and knocked on the door.
At that moment, Linda was in Noah's office, passionately discussing something with him.
"Hey, Amelia, perfect timing. That proposal I mentioned to you earlier, I never expected it to be so well-received by Mr. Martin and the department heads. I'm just thrilled!" Linda exclaimed with excitement to Lauren.
Lauren was somewhat dazed and asked directly, "What proposal?"
Linda had a slight smirk of disdain as she carefully explained, "The one about the premium kitchenware sales, remember? I mentioned it to you a couple of days ago. Surely you haven't forgotten?"
After saying this, Linda playfully winked at Lauren, her demeanor as innocent as an angel.
It felt like a thunderclap had hit Lauren; she stared at the jubilant Linda in disbelief, her throat choked up, leaving her momentarily speechless.
Linda's demeanor and expression said it all, but Lauren couldn't accept it. She walked straight over, ignoring Noah's surprised glance, dashed to the computer, and began reviewing what Linda had purportedly submitted as her own proposal.
"Linda, I think you owe me an explanation."
Lauren was ashen-faced; she couldn't believe that this person she thought was a friend could betray her so easily.
Linda looked at Lauren with feigned innocence, "Amelia, what's wrong? What do you need me to explain?"
Noah, seeing Lauren's pale complexion, was concerned for her.
"Amelia, are you alright?"
Lauren held her head up defiantly; she refused to let the tears show her defeat.
"Linda, let's have a word in private. Excuse us, Mr. Martin, I need to borrow her for a moment."
Noah nodded absentmindedly, then he watched as Lauren hastily pulled Linda out of the office.
Noah was bewildered. What on earth had just happened? Lauren's behavior shifted so suddenly – truly, the heart of a woman was as unfathomable as the sea.
Given Lauren's true identity, Noah decided to bring Quentin into the loop. Quentin hung up the phone with an aloof attitude, but his heart suddenly lifted with concern.
Lauren was always amicable. Why would she lose her composure? Quentin discretely checked the security cameras to find that they had gone up to the top floor.
Standing on the rooftop, Lauren was at a loss for words. She didn't know how to begin. Although she hadn't known Linda for long, it was Linda who had helped and looked after her since her first step into the Robinson Conglomerate. She never imagined that it would be Linda who would end up hurting and betraying her.
The wind howled across the rooftop, disheveling Lauren's hair, and scattering her last ounce of hope with it.
Linda had no time to waste. In a stark contrast to her usually gentle tone, she scorned, "Just as you thought, I stole your proposal. Do you hate me now? It doesn't matter, I'm not afraid of your hatred. Do whatever you want, just stop playing the victim in front of me, okay?"
Lauren was utterly disillusioned. "Why would you do this to me? I trusted you completely. Why steal my proposal? You know how much effort I put into it. Does your conscience really allow you to do this?"
Linda sneered with contempt. "Oh, Amelia, you're pathetically naive. Conscience? What's that? Can you eat it? Sell it? How much is it worth? I've been with the Robinson Conglomerate for five years, and at Mr. Martin's side for three. I've seen all sorts of people, but you've been a real eye-opener – playing the innocent, gaining men's sympathy with your sob story. Don’t you find yourself disgusting?" In her anger, Linda cursed Lauren, her demeanor akin to that of a furious hag.
"When have I ever played innocent? Is there some misunderstanding here?"
Hearing Linda's accusations tore Lauren's heart, making it almost impossible to breathe.
"The situation has come to this, and you're still putting on an act. What's the point? There's no one here but the two of us, so you can drop the pathetic act."
"Linda, I never thought you saw me that way. Fine, since you don't consider me a friend, I won't think of you as one either. That proposal was my design, and I'm going to Mr. Martin to explain everything right now," Lauren said, her voice tinged with anger and indignation.
However, Linda was not swayed by her tactics.
"Go ahead, report me if you want. I've already told Mr. Martin everything I should and could say, and my proposal has been approved by all the Department Heads. So, whether the proposal was my idea or not, my name is going to be on it," Linda said with a scornful laugh, confident of her victory.
Lauren finally saw the truth, "The proposal does have your contribution. If you want it that badly, take it. It's worth seeing through to your true nature because of a lousy proposal."
Lauren gave Linda a cold look, regretting the sincerity she had once offered her.
"Well then, we’’ll meet again," Linda said with a smirk, turning to leave.
Lauren walked slowly to the railing, gazing at the view below. She fought back tears and tried not to be overwhelmed by sadness, but her trembling shoulders betrayed her.
Why was her sincerity always trampled upon? Why was she always misunderstood? Why did she have to face such a cold world alone?
She tried to think of happy memories, hoping to escape the sorrow, but it was futile. Wrapping her arms around herself, she crouched down and began to weep.
Quentin, hidden in the stairwell, watched Lauren with a cold gaze. He had overheard the entire exchange between Lauren and Linda. God knows how angry he was, and how close he came to stepping in.
But he refrained, barely controlling the rage inside him. However, when he saw Lauren cry, his defenses collapsed completely.
