3
That night’s conversation, Julian and I both pretended it never happened.
Victoria started working at Julian’s company.
She immediately became my direct supervisor.
I took her around, familiarizing her with company procedures, but she just looked at me impatiently.
“This is boring. That’s enough.”
“But, there’s still…” I tried to explain, but she cut me off.
“Isn’t that what you’re for? Don’t you, my subordinate, have the ability to assist your superior’s work?”
Victoria rolled her eyes at me, then smiled again.
“Oh, right. All you’re good for is pleasing men in bed.”
The moment those words left her mouth, the office fell silent.
Everyone around us gasped, covering their mouths in shock and awkwardness.
But Victoria still wasn’t satisfied.
She walked closer, her heels clicking, looking down at me.
“What? Haven’t you told your colleagues that your mother was a home–wrecker? You and your mother, you’re two peas in a pod.”
“My mother isn’t a mistress,” I retorted, meeting ber gaze.
11:18 Tue, 5 Aug
She covered her mouth and scoffed.
“You’re still denying it? Right, people like you are so shameless.”
The spectacle quickly spread throughout the company.
After work, Julian called me to his office.
His office was also filled with some of his friends.
t ཏྲཱ 18%–
They all looked at me with mocking expressions.
I thought Julian would issue a public statement to stop the rumors.
But he only said:
“You shouldn’t have made your sister angry.”
I bit my lip, trying hard to hold back tears.
Julian continued,
“Your sister has been very good to you. If it weren’t for her, you wouldn’t even have had money for college – Lily, you need to be grateful.”
I looked up, my eyes red–rimmed.
Yes, I knew.
If it weren’t for Victoria, we wouldn’t have received financial support from Julian’s family.
Dad would have died long ago from lack of medical funds.
And I would have dropped out of school early due to poverty.
Now, Julian’s lecture was just to make sure I didn’t resent Victoria.
<
As I left the office, I could still hear the laughter inside.
“Oh, Julian, you’re really ruthless. She’s such a delicate beauty, how could you be so
harsh?”
“Yeah, aren’t you afraid you’ll actually scare her off?”
“Even though Lily is more soft–willed and has no bottom line compared to her sister, she
really is so obedient to you.”
Julian replied nonchalantly.
“She’s nothing like Victoria. They’re like night and day, really.”
“If she didn’t look so much like Victoria, why would I even keep her around?”
At those words, another burst of laughter erupted.
I quickened my pace, escaping in a hurry.
That project was ultimately given to Victoria by Julian.
Victoria just signed her name at the end, and all the credit went to her.
She instantly became a rising star in the industry.
When people spoke of her as an industry new star, they couldn’t help but mention me.
“These two sisters, one is a daring and ambitious woman, and the other is just a clinging
vine who attaches herself to power.”
“Lily Evans just rode on her sister’s coattails and isn’t even grateful.”
The rumors, like vines, tightly wrapped around my neck, constricting more and more.
At the celebration banquet.
Victoria was surrounded by people.
11:19 Tue, 5 Aug OW.
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She held a champagne glass, smiling radiantly.
Someone raised a toast in praise.
“Ms. Williams is truly capable! Our CEO is so lucky to have such a brilliant and capable partner by his side.”
Julian smiled in response.
But his gaze unconsciously swept over the crowd and met mine.
I smiled at him and turned to leave.
I didn’t see his tightly furrowed brows after I left.
I moved through the banquet like a transparent person.
Victoria was a born leading lady; even stolen credit she could explain away eloquently
and righteously.
As for me, I didn’t even have the right to defend myself.
Victoria’s reputation soared.
Julian’s family elders softened their stance, stating that as long as Victoria performed well in the next quarter, she would be allowed to join the family.
Upon hearing this, Victoria put on a proud and aloof act, as if deeply insulted.
“Do you think I should be happy? What’s so great about you? You just have better luck
than me.”
“I won’t exert myself to please you just to get into the Harrington family.”
“I study hard, I work hard, it’s all for myself, and has nothing to do with anyone else.”
Her words left Julian’s family elders with pale faces, completely speechless.
Julian quickly stepped in to smooth things over.
11:19 Tue, 5 Aug OW
<
His eyes were full of admiration for Victoria.
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“Victoria is just like that, real and unpretentious. Grandpa, please don’t take it to heart.”
I stood by, watching the scene, finding it utterly absurd.
4
