Chapter 35: Chapter 35: A Dangerous Figure in the Workplace

Lila’s POV

“I’ll keep investigating,” he said calmly. “In the meantime, your life… should be as normal as possible. You need to eat, you need to sleep, you need to laugh, have afternoon tea with Zoe, go shopping, wear beautiful clothes… you need to be yourself.”

I looked up at him. There wasn’t a trace of hesitation in his eyes, only determination and tenderness.

“Then… I promise,” I said softly. “I’ll try… to relax a little.”

“Good.” He smiled, reaching out to gently take my hand. His palm was warm, conveying an unquestionable resolve. “But don’t forget, I’m always here.”

I nodded, gently resting my head on his shoulder and closing my eyes.

Outside the car window, the sun was still bright and a gentle breeze, carrying the faint scent of flowers, brushed against my face. I took a deep breath and felt the thick knot of hatred and confusion in my chest finally begin to dissipate, little by little, in the gentle sunlight.

————

The office’s central air conditioning blew a steady, cool breeze. I sat at my workstation, completely focused on the CAD drawing on my screen. My fingertips slid gently over the mouse as I adjusted the last line to the perfect curve. Outside, sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting dappled shadows on my desk. Everything seemed peaceful and orderly.

“Lila, you’ll never guess what I just heard!” Eleanor Vance came storming over from her cubicle, a freshly refilled cup of coffee in hand. She yanked me out of my chair and, without a word of explanation, dragged me into the breakroom.

Eleanor was always a straight shooter—decisive, efficient, and never one to beat around the bush. But seeing her furrowed brow and quick breathing now made my heart drop.

“What’s wrong?” I was completely bewildered, and my heart began to beat a little faster.

Eleanor glanced around before lowering her voice and saying in a rapid-fire whisper, “Vivian Lin is back.”

My hand trembled, and the mug I was holding nearly slipped from my grasp. Vivian Lin. The name was like a thorn that instantly pierced my heart. The woman who had once framed me over my academic credentials, nearly destroying my career.

“How… how is she back?” My voice was strained. An image of her face, with its exquisite makeup and ice-cold eyes, involuntarily surfaced in my mind.

“Rumor has it someone from up high pulled some strings. It came down from the board of directors, saying the previous ’misunderstanding’ was cleared up and she’s been reinstated.” Eleanor’s tone was filled with disdain and worry. “Lila, you need to be careful. Vivian is two-faced and holds a grudge over the smallest thing. You humiliated her so badly last time. Now that she’s back, she’s definitely not going to let you off the hook.”

I took a deep breath, trying to suppress the anxiety welling up inside me. I trusted Eleanor’s judgment, but a stubborn part of me believed that as long as I kept to myself and did my job flawlessly, there would be nothing she could do.

“I know,” I nodded. “I’ll be careful.”

Eleanor looked at me, her expression a mix of frustration and exasperation. “You’re just too naive. You think she can’t find an opportunity as long as you don’t make any mistakes at work? So innocent! In the workplace, as long as you’re still here, she has countless ways to make your life difficult.”

I forced a smile, trying to reassure her and myself. “As long as I do everything by the book, what kind of mistake could she possibly pin on me?”

Eleanor sighed helplessly, knowing I wouldn’t be convinced so easily.

After leaving the breakroom, I returned to my workstation. I had barely sat down when I heard the CLACK-CLACK-CLACK of high heels approaching. The sound was rhythmic, yet it felt like each step was landing on my heart, making my entire body tense up.

I looked up, and sure enough, there was Vivian Lin.

She was wearing a perfectly tailored black business suit, her hair pulled back in an immaculate bun. Her makeup was even more exquisite than last time, and her gaze was sharper. She walked up to my workstation and looked down at me, the corners of her mouth lifting into a smirk that wasn’t quite a smile.

“Lila Bennett?” she began, her voice just as it was last time—as precise as if measured with a ruler, yet carrying an undercurrent of ice.

“That’s me.” I stood up, trying my best not to look intimidated.

“The incident last time was a misunderstanding. I hope you won’t hold it against me.” She maintained that formulaic smile, her eyes looking much gentler, almost flawless in her performance. But in the instant she looked down to adjust her cuff, I thought I caught a flicker of darkness deep in her eyes—so fast I wondered if I’d imagined it, or if it was just a trick of the light.

“After all, what the company values most is an employee’s ability and… loyalty,” she continued, her tone placid, as if she were merely stating a fact.

I nodded, my voice calm. “I understand. I’ll work hard.”

“Very good.” She nodded, satisfied, a hint of encouragement even appearing in her eyes. “I’ll be looking forward to your performance, then.”

With that, she turned and walked away. The sound of her high heels echoed through the quiet office area like an ominous overture.

I watched her walk away, unable to shake the feeling of unease, yet also feeling a hint of confusion. ’That flicker of darkness just now… did I really just see things? She’s acting so conciliatory. Am I just being paranoid? Maybe she really does just want to put the past behind her and get back to work.’

Eleanor had come up beside me at some point. She patted my shoulder gently, her eyes full of sympathy. “Looks like she’s really got you in her sights.”

I was distracted for the entire morning. Even though I kept working, my mind wasn’t on the drawings at all. ’What is Vivian going to do to me?’ I kept wondering. ’Will she try to sabotage my work? Or will she look for an excuse to humiliate me? Or maybe… she really is just as she appears on the surface and wants to reconcile?’

Time flew by, and before I knew it, it was time to leave work. I took a deep breath, gathered my things, and got ready to go.

“Lila!” Eleanor called from behind me. “Are you free tonight? Want to grab a drink?”

I shook my head and smiled. “Not tonight. A friend is picking me up. We’re going shopping.”

Eleanor nodded in understanding and reminded me, “Well, you be careful.”

I nodded and walked out of the office.

Stepping out of the AR Building, the evening breeze brushed against my face, chasing away the chill that had settled over me. I took a deep breath and felt myself relax considerably.

“Lila! Over here, over here!” Zoe’s voice called out from the side of the road. I looked up to see her leaning out the window of a bright red Porsche 911, waving excitedly at me. Today, she was wearing a pink Chanel cropped jacket with a pair of tight white jeans and limited-edition Jimmy Choo heels. She looked like an energetic Barbie doll come to life.

“Why did you drive this car today?” I walked over, looking at her with a hint of exasperation.

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