Menantu Pahlawan Negara by Sarjana

Chapter 11

Aurelia, though a bit restless, patiently shook her head at Millie.

Millie, on the other hand, faced the situation like encountering a formidable opponent.

“Could it be true that Mr. Lynch is really involved with Kimberly?”

Aurelia covered Millie’s mouth with her hand, glancing around to ensure nobody was paying attention to them since everyone had gone for lunch.

“Don’t spread baseless rumors. The office despises gossip,” Aurelia advised.

Millie, however, lowered her voice, filled with resentment.

“Why not? The moment she arrived, we became nothing more than decorations. She already has everything. Why does she need to compete with us? Just because she has money doesn’t mean she can win a man’s heart! All she does is show off her cleavage, doesn’t she?”

Aurelia tilted her head, finding Millie’s reaction somewhat extreme.

“Millie! Don’t speak without evidence! Life is inherently unfair. Having money as an advantage in winning people’s favor. It’s her prerogative. We don’t need to compare ourselves. to such people.”

“I just can’t stand her smug look. What’s so impressive about her? She’d be nothing if it weren’t for a wealthy uncle!” Millie complained.

Aurelia watched Millie bite her lip, sensing beneath the verbal criticism, there lingered an undeniable envy towards Kimberly.

Indeed, whether it was luxury brands, men, or work, Kimberly had it all at her fingertips.

Even when it came to their jobs, Kimberly could effortlessly close deals with a lunch and a few sweet words, while they needed extensive negotiations to sign contracts.

Yet, Aurelia believed that work required a process of experience to be skillful.

Even if Kimberly could charm her way through now, what about the future?

Aurelia comforted Millie, saying, “Don’t dwell on it. Let’s focus on working diligently.”

Reluctantly, Millie nodded, staring at the high heels under Kimberly’s desk, lost in thought.

Aurelia paid no mind, pulling her up from her seat. “Come on, let’s go for lunch.”

Millie snapped back to reality, surprised. “Don’t you bring your own lunch?”

Aurelia sighed, “These days have been a bit hectic. I might skip bringing lunch.”

Millie thought Aurelia was preoccupied with her mother’s illness, so she didn’t inquire further. She followed Aurelia into the elevator.

In reality, Aurelia was contemplating finding an appropriate time to talk with her husband, Leslie, about their future life.

Perhaps the empty refrigerator had startled her early in the morning.

Considering their inability to pursue a quick divorce, it was essential for them to grasp a

mutual understanding for a peaceful life together.

Exiting the elevator, Aurelia and Millie coincidentally witnessed Kimberly getting into a Ferrari.

The onlookers‘ eyes displayed a spectrum of emotions–envy, admiration, disdain…

“This month alone, it’s already the tenth different luxury car. Truly jealous of Kimberly, remarked one bystander.

“You have no idea. She posts about her favorite designer brands in the morning, and a courier delivers them by noon. She claims they’re all gifts from admirers. I can’t fathom when I’ll experience such treatment,” another voice chimed in.

“Jealous? Well then, why don’t you try it? Remember to reveal half of your chest,” a mocking voice teased.

Upon hearing this, Millie clenched her fists, and turned to Aurelia in frustration.

“Aurelia, look at her! She’s already hitching rides with someone else. Can you stomach this? What if she seals the deal? She’ll become the assistant director,” Millie voiced her concerns.

“Am I supposed to not eat lunch because of her? Besides, he rejected offers from the top five advertising companies in Seacester, I don’t think the boss is that trivial,” Aurelia affirmed.

“Shouldn’t we do something instead of just waiting?” Millie said through gritted teeth.

“Don’t worry; I have a plan. Besides, even if I follow her now, it would only annoy her. Our effort wouldn’t pay off,” Aurelia explained as she led Millie away.

She was starving, having only eaten a sandwich early in the morning.

Millie, wearing a frustrated expression, followed Aurelia to lunch.

After they finished their meal and returned to the office, once everyone was back, they drew the curtains in preparation for an afternoon пар.

Aurelia had just settled down when the unmistakable sound of high heels, accompanied by Kimberly’s sweet voice, echoed from outside the door.

“I’ve arrived. Thank you for the ride. We’ll chat again next time.”

At the sound of Kimberly’s voice, the drowsiness of the office staff vanished, each craning their necks to catch a glimpse at the doorway.

Kimberly entered carrying a massive Louis Vuitton paper bag, wearing a self–satisfied expression.

Despite making quite a loud entrance, she pretended to be apologetic, saying, “Sorry, did I disturb you? How about I treat everyone to afternoon tea today?”

No one paid much attention to the offer of afternoon tea. All eyes were fixed on the Louis Vuitton bag.

“Kimberly, what’s this?” someone inquired.

“It’s a welcome gift from Mr. Lynch. I declined, but he insisted. After all, he’s our client, and I couldn’t refuse. But I already have so many bags,” Kimberly explained, her hands swiftly unwrapping the box, revealing the bag amid the envious gazes of onlookers.

Chapter 11 novelbin

“Wow, it’s the Louis Vuitton Onthego! That’s easily 24,000 dollars! Did Mr. Lynch really give this to you?” A discerning colleague exclaimed.

“It’s not that expensive,” Kimberly casually remarked, slinging the handbag over her arm and turning around.

Aurelia couldn’t fathom how Kimberly managed to turn in her direction. “Aurelia, is it nice?” She asked.

“It’s beautiful.” Aurelia smiled, offering a friendly reminder, “Kimberly, as a potential business partner, the company prohibits accepting gifts. Plus, Mr. Lynch is married.”

A few colleagues in the office, particularly the ones who disliked Kimberly, chuckled at Aurelia’s comment.

Especially those who were already married, they rolled their eyes directly.

Imagine one’s husband taking another woman out for lunch and presenting her with an expensive bag.

Who could tolerate such a situation?

Kimberly gritted her teeth. “Aurelia, you’ve misunderstood. I’ve already said that Mr. Lynch. and I clicked instantly. This is a personal gift he gave me as a friend.”

“Oh, a personal gift,” Aurelia repeated.

The looks exchanged among the colleagues became even more profound.

Yesterday, they were strangers. Today, they were suddenly good friends with a gift of a high- end bag.

Who would believe that nothing happened between them?

However, Kimberly’s entourage immediately jumped to her defense.

“Some people turn bitter when they miss out on things, you know? Kimberly here has dealt. with all kinds of people. When someone gives a gift, they’re just trying to build good connections. It’s called networking, and some people don’t have it yet.”

“You’re right. In this day and age, it’s all about sharing resources. Without connections, you end up buried in proposal writing, unlike Kimberly, effortlessly securing collaborations for the company,”

remarked one colleague.

Kimberly waved off the comment, smiling. “It’s not that exaggerated. Aurelia works so hard. It’s not easy. Don’t talk about her like that. We’re all working for the good of the company. It’s just a pity she’s wasting her efforts. From now on, I’ll make sure to treat everyone well.”

At first, her words seemed harmless. But upon closer scrutiny, Kimberly had already placed herself in a superior position.

Unfazed, Aurelia responded, “So…. when did Mr. Lynch say he would sign the contract with you?”

“Huh?”

Kimberly’s smile faltered.

“Weren’t you worried about me wasting my efforts? You must have already sealed the deal,

right?” Aurelia pressed on.

“Well… Mr. Lynch said he needs to report back to the company first, considering it’s such an important collaboration.”

Kimberly hesitated.

“Oh, so it’s not confirmed that he’ll sign with you?” Aurelia clarified.

Kimberly was at a loss for words.

At that moment, Kimberly’s phone rang. She glanced at it, relieved, and immediately smiled. Then, she teasingly shook her phone in front of Aurelia.

“Aurelia, looks like you’re out of the running this time. My uncle says Mr. Lynch values me a lot. He even mentioned introducing me directly to the boss of One Technology.”

Before Aurelia could respond, colleagues surrounded them, each chiming in with their thoughts.

“One Technology’s boss? The hottest topic in Seacester right now?”

“Who is this guy? So mysterious. I heard many bigshots are queuing up to meet him.”

“Kimberly, you’re about to become famous again. Not only will you get a promotion and a raise, but you also won’t have to wait in line to meet such an influential figure.”

After a round of flattery, Kimberly’s disdainful gaze towards Aurelia became even more profound.

Aurelia’s heart sank a little.

Kimberly hadn’t even presented a proposal yet and had seemingly secured the deal with One Technology.