From Neglected Wife to CEO’s Obsession novel Chapter 48

48 /190

As soon as I spoke, the whole room turned to look at me. Some people let out a quiet sigh of relief, while others avoided my eyes, obviously feeling guilty.

A few of the older staff suddenly found something else to do, pretending they hadn’t seen or heard a thing.

The one stirring up all the trouble was Zoey. She’s the daughter of our company’s deputy director, John, and she’d been two years ahead of me in college. When we both went for the Director of Technology role, she lost to me—and clearly, she’s never let it go. For the past two years, she’s tried every trick in the book to drag me down, sometimes openly, sometimes behind my back.

Honestly, I’ve always hated these petty “girl vs. girl” games. I never took her seriously or wasted energy responding to her little schemes.

But now, she’d crossed a line. She was spreading rumors about me, trashing my name in front of everyone, and I’d caught her red-handed. If I let her get away with it this time, I’d just look weak, like someone people can walk all over.

The only way to deal with people like her is to stand your ground and fight back. All that “kill them with kindness” stuff? Useless.

“So, Zoey, you’re saying I threw myself at Mr. Thompson, got between him and Julia, and that I’m the reason Julia left the country after getting hurt? Did I hear you right?” I slowed down as I walked toward Zoey, every step measured and steady. My eyes were cold as I stared her down.

Zoey’s confidence faltered. She still tried to act tough. “Yeah, I said it. If you didn’t do it, why are you so scared of people talking?”

I circled her slowly, giving her a little smile. “Alright, then show me your evidence. We live in a society with laws, Zoey. If you want to accuse someone, you need proof. If you don’t have any, that means you’re making things up—and I can sue you for defamation.”

She scoffed, trying to sound fierce. “Oh, so now you want proof? Why don’t you prove you didn’t do it? Can’t do that, right?”

“That’s nonsense,” a young woman stood up, her cheeks bright red with anger. “Avery isn’t that kind of person. Zoey, this is the design department. We don’t want you here. Just leave.”