After the divorce he begged novel Chapter 65

Chapter 65

“Yes,” the person who had called Rebecca earlier replied. “Every year, the first place at the annual party gets 5,000 dollars, second place 3,000, third 1,500, and everyone else gets 50 for participation. The 10th anniversary celebration should be more generous than regular annual parties.”

Someone added, “Our department always gets 50–dollar participation money every year.”

“Exactly, and Jane always claims it,” another said.

Rebecca instinctively looked at Jane before asking, “What did our department perform at previous annual parties?”

Everyone gave a polite cough and stayed quiet, making Rebecca confused.

Jane, who’d been scrolling through the group chat, froze. Just as Rebecca thought she wouldn’t get an answer, Jane said, “A dramatic reading of the employee handbook.”

Someone said, “Exactly.”

Rebecca praised Jane earnestly. “That’s impressive. Most people won’t touch that one. Jane, you’re fearless.” Someone shot her a thumbs–up, thinking, ‘I never knew Rebecca was the undisputed queen of flattery!

Rebecca looked puzzled. She genuinely believed reading the handbook on stage took guts. Back in school, every class had to put on a skit for the talent show, and her class always bombed with the handbook–reading bit. Ever since, she’d kept her distance from it.

“It was the department’s only option since each department had to perform,” Jane finally spoke, her tone gentle. “If you’ve got another talent, you can sign up.”

“Holy crap! First prize is 30 thousand,” the colleague to Rebecca’s left exclaimed. “They’re going all out for the 10th anniversary?”

Rebecca glanced over and noticed Jason’s secretary had sent new messages in the group chat.

First prize was 30 thousand, second 15 thousand, and third 5,000. The participation award was 50 dollars per person for groups of five or fewer, or 300 dollars per department for larger groups.

Truthfully, Rebecca felt tempted. After becoming a wage earner, she’d realized the true value of money.

“Rebecca, can you pull this off?” Lisa Lambert, the girl to Rebecca’s left, looked starry–eyed, “30 thousand… Damn, I should’ve learned a skill after last year’s party.”

The others began to chatter about the new messages, too. “Ugh, Department A’s gonna profit again.”

“Whatever. Whoever wins on Wednesday night, we can just throw a hoodie over their head and rough them up in the parking lot.”

“Count me in!”

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Amid the chatter, Andrea arrived. She’d overheard their discussion from afar, knowing everyone was waiting for Rebecca’s response.

So she said, “Rebecca, didn’t you win several national awards in classical dance? Why not sign up?”

All eyes

turned to Rebecca. After working together with her for those past few days, they found her humble, polite, and easy to work with. The news reignited their hopes.

All they wanted was to redeem their department’s past failures.

“The big shot is right beside us all along.”

“Rebecca, you’re our department’s hope.”

“You should try,” Jane chimed in.

Under their collective gaze, Rebecca felt workplace camaraderie for the first time. “I’ll decide my performance piece tonight and let you know tomorrow.”

Everyone agreed. After the chat wrapped up, Lisa turned to Andrea with gossipy curiosity. “Andrea, can I ask you something confidential?”

“Of course,” Andrea smiled, moving closer.

Lisa whispered, “Is Mr. Hanson participating?”

At that, Rebecca’s figure froze almost imperceptibly.

Andrea caught that out of the corner of her eye. As Jeffrey had instructed her, she said, “Probably not. Mr. Smith called him this morning, and he refused.”

Lisa wasn’t surprised. As the CEO of the Hanson Group, Jeffrey only attended the parent company’s annual parties, never participating in or interfering with other listed subsidiaries.

PrimePlay Technologies couldn’t even compare to some of those subsidiaries, so it was normal that he refused to attend the anniversary celebration.

“However…” Andrea instinctively glanced at Rebecca as she spoke.

Lisa pressed, “What?”

“If Rebecca invited him, Mr. Hanson would probably go,” Andrea said, her tone tinged with implication. “Lately, he kept asking me about her project progress and seems quite concerned.”

Everyone’s eyes sparkled with gossip. Even Jane glanced over.

“There’s a misunderstanding, Andrea,” Rebecca replied calmly. “Mr. Hanson inquired because Mr. Taylor assigned detailed tasks before my onboarding, assessing if I could keep pace. After Mr. Taylor mentioned the business trip in the group chat, he privately informed me Mr. Hanson would oversee evaluations.”

Her explanation shifted the team’s gaze toward Andrea. What should’ve been routine work matters suddenly

Chapter 65

carried uncomfortable implications from Andrea’s phrasing.

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“I see.” Andrea didn’t expect Rebecca to catch on so quickly. She smiled and added, “I thought your school days wish had come true.”

Rebecca was speechless as she thought, ‘What’s this weirdo trying to pull?‘

“What wish?” someone asked.

“Nothing special. Just to work at the Hanson Group and earn Mr. Hanson’s recognition,” Andrea casually replied, sounding utterly sincere.

Others glanced at Rebecca, sensing juicy gossip.

Rebecca gave Andrea a passing glance without uttering a single word of explanation.

But her subtle look spoke volumes–the kind that even socially oblivious people would recognize as “can’t be bothered with this psycho.”

“Finalize your performance plan and inform me by Monday for approval.” Sensing the mood shifting, Andrea changed topics smoothly, switching the conversation back to business.

Lisa, who was always agreeable, responded, “Will do.”

After Andrea left, curiosity buzzed in the air. Everyone sensed unresolved drama between her and Rebecca, though cracking the particular nut seemed nearly impossible.

“Rebecca,” Lisa leaned in and whispered.

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