Chapter 8

But before I could even try to smooth things over, the elevator chimed, and the sharp, rapid click-clack of high heels on the floor echoed through the office.

A furious, unfamiliar middle-aged woman in a red dress stormed in, cursing. "I'm going to teach you a lesson, you little vixen! You've gone too far, daring to mess with my daughter!"

Another woman's shriek and struggle followed: "Let go of me! Let go! I'll call security!"

The two women were pulling and tugging, full of fury, crashing into the adjacent Operations department.

The company printer was just around the corner from the elevators. My movements, as I organized my documents, instantly stopped. That woman… she looked so much like Brittany!

No, not like. It *was* her!

Many corporate drones, witnessing the scene, couldn't possibly focus on work. Chairs slid back, and groups of three to five surged towards the Operations department.

Maya, naturally, was no exception, dragging me along to join the commotion.

The middle-aged woman's face was livid. Her hand never released Brittany's hair, and her screams grew louder. "Everyone, you have to hear me out!"

"Yes, this young woman, of all things, decided to become a home-wrecker and destroy someone else's family!"

"My daughter, Ashley, who works in the Operations department, just got married recently. My daughter and I even packed the wedding favors for everyone ourselves!"

"Who would've thought this snake would seduce my son-in-law and even try to convince my daughter to divorce him and leave with nothing!"

"Is there no shame in the world for a woman like you, huh?!"

The middle-aged woman was screaming violently. Being a full size larger than Brittany, she easily shoved Brittany to the floor.

I'd had brief interactions with Ashley during company team-building events.

At that time, she and her fiancé had been together for eight years, going from school uniforms to a wedding dress. It had been such a challenging journey. When she mentioned getting married soon, she shed tears of excited joy.

My heart sank. Eight years. Again, eight years…

What a coincidence. Was this Brittany's special hobby? Haha.

Ashley, at her desk, watched her mother stand up for her, and instantly burst into tears. She took off her sunglasses, and many colleagues gasped.

Maya grabbed my sleeve, startled, almost shouting, "Chloe, look, quickly, look…"

I was truly shocked.

Ashley had a massive bruise near her eye. She had clearly been hit.

Her husband cheated on her, and she was being abused at home, yet she had to endure the humiliation and come to work. How much pain must she be in?

The company manager and security guards rushed over, and the entire office erupted into chaos.

Brittany's chiffon blouse was disheveled, her face showed faint red handprints, and her neck and arms were scratched with red marks from nails. She struggled violently, trying to fight back, screaming, "I didn't! Your man was seducing me!"

Ashley couldn't take it anymore. She delivered a vicious slap directly to Brittany's face. "Brittany, don't think everyone's an idiot! I haven't even mentioned your affair with that old man from the neighborhood!"

Brittany froze, and so did everyone else…

More than a few colleagues started murmuring. "There's more?"

"I can't believe Brittany's like this."

"She's in sales, and I heard she barely does any work but always has the highest numbers. So, it's all just shady dealings, isn't it?"

Brittany panicked, forcing herself to stand up. "You're full of sh*t! If you say that again, I'll sue you for defamation!"

Ashley's mother stood with her hands on her hips, indignantly pointing a finger at Brittany and yelling again, "Let's go, let's go! I don't believe there's no justice in this world!"

Maya was practically jumping for joy, practically itching to expose all of Brittany's dirty laundry and deliver a fatal blow.

The company manager stepped in, urging everyone to keep the peace. This was a workplace, and he sternly ordered us casual observers to disperse and get back to work!

As I left, my gaze accidentally met Brittany's frantic eyes. I lowered my gaze and smiled.

I smiled at her stupidity, at her digging her own grave.

But what I didn't expect was for Liam to show up.

I met Liam at the coffee shop downstairs from the company.

He looked haggard and much more tired. His hair hadn't been styled in a long time, and his tie was crooked.