Chapter 108 Jasmine’s Gift to Ethan
Jasmine had called the cops, and they took the guy away for questioning.
Turned out, it wasn’t such a big deal. Compensation and an apology would resolve things.
Liam blew it out of proportion, and soon the whole group knew about it.
“If you're not discreet in your affairs, why be afraid of gossip?”
“Listen, I’ve got this buddy who’s been with Jasmine. I’m telling you, she’s quite notorious in our circles.”
“She looks pretty and seems so innocent. Didn’t expect her to be that type. I wouldn’t mind having a go myself.”
A few guys were cracking jokes in the smoking area.
Rumors never die, even if they stopped talking about it in the group chat, they’d gossip privately.
“You’re not even in her league, pal. Jasmine’s bed companions are all trust fund babies.”
Jasmine stood outside the smoking area, silent for a long while before pushing open the door. “So, which friend of yours slept with me? Let’s meet face to face. If he hasn’t, you owe me a public apology.”
Her voice was a bit hoarse.
She'd approached things with a keep-quiet-and-carry-on attitude, ignoring what she couldn't hear, but they had gone too far.
The guys in the smoking area were stunned.
Seeing Jasmine confront them with teary eyes, their confidence waned, and they tried brushing it off with snide laughter. “Oh, is it wrong to talk about your nighttime rates? How much do you charge? I might not be rich, but I could blow a month’s salary on you. One-time deal. That good enough?”
“I don’t get it. What joy does it bring you to insult a woman you don’t know, to spread false rumors about her?” Jasmine’s voice broke as she asked.
“It’s because in the minds of insecure men, having an extra thing between their legs that doesn’t do them much good, seems like the only thing worth flaunting.”
Ethan's voice was deep from behind Jasmine.
The smokers panicked at the sight of Ethan, snuffed out their cigs, and looked down, trying to slink away.
“Apologize.” Ethan looked up, commanding respect.
He seemed like he didn’t need to say anything at all. His mere presence was enough to make them avert their gaze.
“I’m sorry” the ringleader mumbled, head down, too afraid to look up.
“Stellar Enterprises doesn't lack talent. In the face of similar abilities, character becomes crucial,” Ethan said, turning to the HR Manager.
Daria's complexion was off, the individuals in question were part of a special hiring initiative she'd pushed for, Carmen's pre-emptive setup for Daniel. One of them was even her nephew. "Back to work, now," she snapped.
"Under these circumstances, a mere verbal apology is enough to go back to their desks?" Liam's face echoed his confusion as he spoke again. "Ms. Daria, I recall our HR policy clearly states that personal integrity is paramount."
Anxious, Daria glanced at Jasmine.
It was Jasmine's first day working closely with Ethan, and she'd already attracted such a debacle. "Jasmine, about this situation... What do you think we should do?"
Jasmine took a deep breath. A wily fox remains a wily fox, aware that Jasmine, being new, wouldn't dare step on toes.
Daria had miscalculated.
On her second day of interning, Jasmine had already learned of Daria's nephew's, Owen's, identity from the chatty cafeteria man.
She knew Owen's daily routine by heart. Every day at half past three, he'd show up with a few close colleagues for a smoke break.
These guys weren't exactly top-tier talent. Without Daria's intervention, they wouldn't have had a shot at Stellar Enterprises.
The positions were inconspicuous but came with substantial growth opportunities.
Daria was sowing seeds for Carmen and Daniel.
"Stellar Enterprises isn't short of Ivy League grads or those with master's degrees, and the insult wasn't just to me but to the myriads of women slandered by such rumors. I request the company have them write formal reflections, to be shared with the workgroup, and to voluntarily resign."
Jasmine gave them an out, for it's unwise to corner someone completely.
Voluntary resignation would allow them to use their experience at Stellar Enterprises to smoothly transition to another firm, likely with a handsome paycheck.
A dismissal, however, would include the grounds for their termination in their employment history.
Major corporations have a habit of thorough background checks, especially for significant positions.
The men looked at Jasmine in shock, their faces turning ashen with anger. "Jasmine, this is a personal vendetta!"
With Ethan present, they dared not be too rowdy.
Jasmine remained silent, hoping they would know when to quit.
As Ethan's assistant, she was ready to bear the brunt for her boss from now on.
Besides, she had less to worry about reputation-wise, it was already beyond repair, so what more was there to fear?
Ethan gazed at Jasmine with a meaningful look, pride lurking in his eyes.
Liam glanced at Jasmine, clearly taken aback by her capability to handle tough situations.
On her first day at work, she'd already presented the boss with a significant gift.
"Jasmine..." Daria started to say something.
"Ms. Daria, you've been with the company for a while, so you know our image is paramount," Jasmine cut her off.
Daria furrowed her brow, giving Jasmine a meaningful look.
In contrast to the timidness she exhibited at first sight, for a fleeting moment, Daria felt that Jasmine... was a wolf in sheep's clothing.
"You better thank her," Ethan warned, eyeing Owen.
"What for..." Owen lacked judgment.
Daria was wiser and interrupted her nephew. "If you resign on your terms, you can write your reason for leaving. However, if you're fired, who will vouch for you when other companies check your references?"
Grinding his teeth, Owen huffed. "Fine! We apologize."
With that, Owen and his group left.
They merely did it out of respect for Ethan.
Jasmine, was the fox that wielded the tiger's power.
"Daria, we need to be more cautious in hiring from now on," Ethan reminded her pointedly.
Taking a deep breath, Daria quickly nodded. "Of course, Mr. Douglas, if there's nothing else... I'll get back to my post."
Ethan threw a glance at Liam.
Liam understood and followed to handle the situation with Owen and his group.
"Did you know Owen is Daria's nephew?" Ethan asked Jasmine once they were alone.
Taking a deep breath, Jasmine stammered without daring to meet Ethan's gaze. "Yes... yes."
She had done her homework.
Ethan chuckled to himself. Just moments ago, she had been fierce, and now she faltered in his presence?
Ethan seldom praised anyone, but Jasmine indeed always managed to surprise him.
Stepping closer, Ethan looked down at Jasmine. "Is this your way of making a declaration of allegiance?"
Ethan was too close for comfort. Jasmine, frightened, stepped back. There was a step in the smoking area she hadn't seen, and she almost fell over.
Instinctively, Ethan reached out, and they both ended up falling onto the counter behind them.
However, Ethan’s hand cushioned the fall on the counter, preventing Jasmine from getting hurt.
"Sorry... I'm so sorry," Jasmine stammered, her ears blushing with embarrassment. "This isn't a declaration of allegiance, they don't deserve one."
Working for Ethan, Owen was nothing more than a small-time lackey. This was just the appetizer. Within a few days, Jasmine had eliminated Daria's assistant, her nephew, and a few other weeds. She was sending a warning.
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