Ch. 1181..1190

Chapter 1181

Chapter 1181

Linda looked at her daughter, holding her breath nervously, almost whispering, "What... What did you call us?"

"Testing me, huh?" Lina held back her tears, wanting to lighten the somber atmosphere. She smiled and said, "Of course it's mom and dad! Mom, you don't still see me as a one-year-old, do you?" Linda stared blankly before tears suddenly streamed down her face.

"C-Can you call me one more time?"

Lina's voice choked as she softly called out, "Mom."

"I want to hear it again..."

"Mom!"

Linda opened her arms and tightly embraced her daughter, crying heartbrokenly.

Nicholas also sniffled, holding back his tears, and approached to embrace his wife and daughter.

"Alright, stop crying." He smiled through tears. "This is a happy moment! Lina will call us mom and dad from now on... We'll get to hear it every day!"

Linda asked tearfully, "Nicholas, could it be that I've taken too much medication and started hallucinating?"

"Mom, the doctor said your dosage has already been halved," Lina gently said, holding Linda's hand. "Maybe you can stop taking the medication after persevering for a bit longer... I'll be by your side, and we'll overcome this together, okay?"

"Mm!" Linda nodded firmly.

She would listen to her daughter and believe that she would get better. She had faith that one day she wouldn't need medication to sleep or maintain a good mood.

She would hold her daughter's hand and go to the beach to fly kites, even though this day had come 20 years late.

"But it's not too late..." She sobbed, talking to herself, "It's not too late at all!"

Lina was taken aback. She didn't understand what her mother meant, but she gently hugged her shoulder, patting her back as if comforting a child.

"Mm!" She smiled. "It's not too late. Anything is still possible!"

On his way home, Zuko sneezed twice and felt his ears getting hot. As he reached the doorstep, a sudden cool gust of wind made him shudder involuntarily.

It was strange!

He had always been healthy, and it was summertime. How could he feel chills?

As he thought of Nicholas' icy gaze from earlier, he instantly understood what was going on. He shook his head helplessly, chuckling to himself. As he stepped into the living room, he was startled to find three pairs of eyes staring at him!

"Uh..." Zuko was taken aback. "Mom, dad, Toph, you're... still awake?"

The clock on the wall showed it was already 11:30 p.m.

Toph was a night owl, and staying up late playing games was a common occurrence.

However, Cordelia and Zephyr seemed to have been struck by something tonight. They had made rose jelly dessert for a late-night snack and were sitting side by side at the table, happily enjoying a bowl each.

Zuko smiled, realizing he was a bit hungry. He wanted to see if there was a bowl for him, but Toph mocked him. "You still hope our parents made one for you? Hahaha!"

Zuko glared at him. "Did you have any?"

"I didn't either!" Toph replied honestly. "I'm eating what they left!"

Zuko was rendered speechless.

"Zuko, are you hungry?" Zephyr finally regained his senses. "Wendy made some snacks for you. They're in the kitchen. Go eat!"

"Dad, I want dessert..."

"What dessert?" Zephyr glared. "Do I look like dessert to you?"

Zuko restrained his temper and turned to the kitchen to find his snacks.

Toph laughed so hard that his face turned red.

Chapter 1182

Chapter 1182

Cordelia had prepared a rose jelly dessert specifically for Zephyr. How could Zephyr bear to share it?

Zuko also got a bowl of dessert for his younger brother. Toph set his phone aside, picked up the food, and enjoyed it with his older brother, expressing his satisfaction.

Cordelia said, looking at Zuko, "You came back so late today. Did you see Lina home?"

"Yeah," Zuko replied, pausing to think about Nicholas' expression. He turned it into a joke and shared it with his parents.

Cordelia smiled helplessly and glanced at Zephyr.

Zephyr suddenly remembered the way Rowan used to look at him. It seemed that all fathers-in-law felt the same way...

Fortunately, he didn't have a daughter. If he did, his son-in-law would surely suffer.

From his son's perspective, Zephyr had an idea...

Zephyr smirked, sat down next to Zuko, and gently placed his hand on his shoulder. He whispered, "Nicholas is quite petty... Son, didn't your grandfather give you the silver needles?" Zuko was taken aback. "Dad, what do you mean?"

"Give him a little poke and see if he dares to stand at the door and glare at you again in the middle of the night!"

"Uh..."

Toph burst into laughter. "Dad, you're so mischievous! After going through so much yourself, you still want Uncle Nicholas to experience it!"

"Nonsense!" Zephyr frowned. "Your grandfather treated me so well back then. How could he bear to poke me?"

"Oh..." Toph pretended to be serious. "Then, Mr. Hamerton, please explain why my grandfather always calls you a brat."

"Toph Hamerton!"

Zephyr raised his hand to scold Toph, but Toph quickly hid behind Zuko for protection. "Dad, calm down! Calm down!"

"Toph! You're such a troublemaker!"

"Alright, enough. Stop causing trouble!"

Zuko stood solemnly between the two, trying to calm the situation. However, the two brothers exchanged glances and saw mischievous smirks in each other's eyes. Then, with perfect coordination, they grabbed their father's hands...

In an instant, the cherished belt around their father's waist ended up in the hands of the two brothers!

Their swift and agile movements left Zephyr with no time to react. Within moments, he saw his two sons grinning as they held his $400 belt.

"You two brats!"

Zuko and Toph knew their father's weak spot since they were little. They would often playfully threaten him by grabbing his belt. When they were younger, he could still control them, but now that his two sons were taller and stronger than him, age had caught up with him, no matter how skilled he was.

Zephyr paused for a moment, his smile filled with love and helplessness. However, the brothers' triumph lasted less than three seconds. They turned around and saw their mother standing with her hands on her hips, glaring at them and growling, "What do you think you're doing?"

"Do you think you can bully your father now that you've grown up? Am I invisible!?"

Zuko's hand trembled, and the belt fell to the floor, making a loud clanging sound as the metal buckle hit the floor.

It broke Zephyr's heart.

"Um... Mom!" Toph chuckled carelessly. "We were just having a late-night snack and wanted to move around, so we were just joking around with dad!"

Cordelia walked over, picked up the belt, and gently fastened it around Zephyr's waist. Their eyes met, and they both smiled lightly. Suddenly, the whole living room seemed to be filled with a romantic ambiance.

Toph exaggeratedly shuddered and silently told Zuko through his lips that he had goosebumps all over.

Zuko pursed his lips and stood next to his younger brother, muttering similar complaints.

"Pft!" The two brothers looked at each other and burst into laughter together.

Toph changed the topic. "Oh, by the way, Renee's mother has been recovering well recently and will be discharged from the hospital!"

Chapter 1183

Chapter 1183

"Really?" Cordelia smiled, genuinely happy.

The family of four sat back on the sofa.

While playing his game, Toph said, "Aunt Zennie's medicine is really effective. Renee's mom is much better now compared to before. As long as she continues with the medication and rests, maintaining the current situation won't be a problem."

"I heard that maintaining the current situation is already considered an improvement for her condition." Zephyr chuckled. "Can she be discharged from the hospital now?"

"Yes, she can!" Toph raised an eyebrow. "I've arranged a place for her to stay and hired someone to take care of her. Renee will move out from the Thompsons soon and live with her mom. But the new house is close to the Thompsons, so it'll be convenient for her to visit Uncle Nicholas and Aunt Linda."

"Renee's a good girl." Cordelia looked at her son. "You better treat her well. She's suffered so much since she was young!"

"Don't worry, mom!" Toph smirked as he put down his phone and went over to Cordelia. He started massaging her back and shoulders.

"But don't you think you should give your future daughter-in-law a meeting gift?"

Cordelia was taken aback. "What?"

"Le Esse was given to Zuko, so my future wife should also have a family heirloom, right? Mom, you need to be fair!"

"I know!" Cordelia patted her son's head and smiled gently.

They chatted for a while longer, but Cordelia and Zephyr went to their room to rest as drowsiness set in.

Toph watched them walk away and gestured to his older brother, indicating for him to come to his room. Zuko followed.

As soon as they entered the room, Toph leaned in mysteriously and whispered into Zuko's ear.

Zuko showed a hint of disgust and pressed a finger against Toph's chest, gently pushing him away. "Give me some space."

"You're really clueless!" Toph retorted with an equally disdainful look. "Didn't you use to cuddle up to me when we were little? Have you forgotten about that?"

"Get to the point!"

Toph licked his lips and lowered his voice. "Abigail's back!"

Zuko's expression froze, and all traces of laughter disappeared from his eyes.

"The news is probably accurate." Toph stroked his chin. "Because our mother has been going to Imperial Media quite often recently... Think about it, with our mother's status, would she personally intervene unless it's a big-name celebrity?"

Zuko furrowed his brows. "You mean Abigail... is a big-name celebrity?"

"Bro, she's the Alluring Gail!"

Zuko's gaze slightly darkened.

The nickname 'Alluring Gail' was given to Abigail by the public, even though Zuko couldn't appreciate her beauty. In the eyes of countless fans and the media, Abigail was a born femme fatale-fair-skinned, beautiful face, long legs, and an hourglass figure. She had perfect features and stunning body proportions.

Coupled with her divine acting skills and the ability to immerse herself in any role in an instant, she gained widespread popularity at a young age. Numerous people praised and admired her, including the veteran actress Millie and the renowned director Trinity.

However, since that incident, Abigail gradually faded out of the public eye...

"I heard she's planning a comeback recently." Toph cleared his throat twice. "Her agent has approached our mother several times, and she is also considering it. After all, Abigail is only 24, which is the best age for a female actress.

"That incident between her and you... happened two years ago. Her exposure in the past two years hasn't been as high as before, but reruns of her previous dramas still generate good ratings. So you can imagine her popularity!"

Toph saw that Zuko still hadn't reacted, so he nudged him with his elbow. "Bro, what do you think?" Zuko's brows furrowed as he glanced at him with a troubled heart. What else could he think?

He and Abigail were practically strangers!

What his younger brother said about "that incident" between her and him... What did it mean?

"I have nothing to do with her whatsoever!" Zuko growled lowly.

"I know." Toph looked at him sympathetically. "But the gossip-loving masses don't know that!"

Zuko sighed heavily, resting his forehead on his hands as he sat on the sofa.

That year, when he attended the royal event in Southeast Aciatic, Abigail, who had nothing to do with him, suddenly appeared in the hotel where he was staying.

Chapter 1184

Chapter 1184

The media, always eager to seize an opportunity, naturally didn't let go of this headline and immediately put Zuko and Abigail in the spotlight.

Little did those media outlets know that the hotel wasn't even the place where Zuko stayed! He had been there that day because Jacob was attending a legal forum in Southeast Aciatic, and Zuko had met with him there to give instructions to the hotel staff about taking care of Jacob.

Who knew it would be twisted into a story of Zuko and Abigail being passionately involved in a love affair at the hotel!?

However, the trending topic only lasted a few minutes before the Hamertons' PR team forcefully suppressed it, and the journalists responsible faced legal consequences. Zuko had always disliked public appearances, so he remained silent about the matter. What about Abigail? She didn't even provide an explanation and simply disappeared!

Over the course of two years, the incident gradually faded from the fickle masses' memories. However, no one expected Abigail to make a comeback at this moment...

"Well, it's not hard to understand," Toph analyzed. "After all, Alluring Gail is an artist, and she's still under Imperial Media. How will she survive if she doesn't come back and earn money from acting?

"In the end, it's been two years, and it didn't cause much of a stir even back then. Her team claimed she went abroad for further studies during these two years, and her contract with Imperial Media hasn't expired yet. Coincidentally, a few big productions are coming up recently, so...

"The timing of her comeback is basically perfect!" Toph shrugged.

"Not for me!" Zuko felt a headache coming on. If Abigail was making a comeback, her team would surely bring up the old incident to generate buzz before releasing her work. And what better material to use than that incident from two years ago?

He wouldn't have cared if it had happened before, but now he had Lina...

Zuko's eyes widened as he crossed his arms and huffed.

"Bro, I don't think it'll happen. Those reporters involved faced legal consequences back then, and no one dares to joke about you, the esteemed young heir, now!"

Zuko's gaze darkened as he remained silent.

"But... you never know." Toph furrowed his brows. "The Internet has a memory."

Zuko said, "I remember you were the director of Imperial Media's PR department, right?"

"Uh, well..." Toph chuckled and nodded.

Zuko curled his lip, instantly dissipating his previous gloominess.

It was only then that Toph suddenly realized something was amiss!

"Zuko Hamerton!" His eyes widened. "You're not thinking of making me keep an eye on this matter 24/7, are you?"

"When your big brother is in trouble, shouldn't you step up as my dearest little brother?" Zuko hooked his arm around Toph's neck, wearing a mischievous smile. "How about this? Your big brother will cuddle with you tonight, so you can reminisce about our childhood!"

"Oh my god!" Toph jumped three feet away. "Y-You... stay away from me!"

Zuko lowered his voice. "Toph Hamerton, if even the slightest bit of this matter leaks out, it will be a sign of your incompetence!"

"Zuko Hamerton! Is it right for you to bully me like this?"

Zuko smirked, his expression saying: "So what?"

Toph straightened up. "This is my room, and I won't allow you to run wild here!"

"Yeah, right. I've done it many times, even if I can't!"

"Argh-"

Soon, the room echoed with the sound of scuffling.

Meanwhile, Cordelia and Zephyr were still awake, listening to the commotion and sighing softly.

"Having two boys at home means there's never a moment of peace!" Cordelia commented.

"Darling, let's bring our daughters-in-law in quickly and have them manage these two properly!" Zephyr suggested.

Cordelia pursed her lips and nodded fervently. "Let's do that!"

Chapter 1185

Chapter 1185

Abigail sat in a luxurious and spacious dressing room, her naturally fair skin glowing under the warm white lights of the dressing table. Her beautiful features were flawless, even without makeup. There was a hint of nonchalance in her gaze as she casually played with an eyebrow pencil, exuding charm and laziness.

Her manager placed her printed schedule on the table.

"We're in talks for a few scripts, big productions with renowned directors. Ms. Trinity Lulham's artistic style makes her script suitable for you. It's time for you to transition, and taking the artistic route is a good choice.

"Before finalizing the scripts, you need to increase your exposure. Here are a few variety shows you can choose from...

"Oh, and..." Her manager's eyes lit up. "The Thompson Group's film studio project has started, and many artists are eyeing the spokesperson position. You need to seize this opportunity, understand?" "Hmm?" Abigail raised an eyebrow. "Seize what?"

"The spokesperson position, of course!"

Abigail's manager grew anxious. She had always been indifferent, caring little about her career-some would even call her cold. Yet, opportunities kept coming her way, and she never lacked good projects. Life seemed unfair as if God blessed her.

Jackie Floros, her manager, had worked with numerous top-tier celebrities, but Abigail was undoubtedly the most challenging artist he had ever managed. He sighed and sat before her, earnestly advising, "Abigail, darling, you need to pay more attention to your career! Do you know how many female celebrities are competing for the spokesperson position?"

"Why are you so nervous?" Abigail remained indifferent. "If it's meant for me, it won't slip away. If it's not, fighting for it would be pointless!"

Jackie was nearly at his wit's end. "If you fight for it, you still have a chance. If you don't, you won't have any opportunity at all!"

Abigail smiled lightly, knowing she had more important things to focus on than becoming a spokesperson. "Jackie, there's something I want to clarify."

"What is it?"

"That incident from two years ago, don't use it for publicity!"

Jackie froze, momentarily speechless. It was true that he had considered using it. With Abigail's current lack of work and exposure, leveraging the Hamertons' eldest heir could quickly attract attention. Though it was a risky approach, he didn't expect Abigail to firmly reject it.

"Abigail, you've been in the entertainment industry for so long. Don't you understand how things work?"

"I do, but I choose not to." Abigail crossed her arms and jutted her chin. A trace of stubbornness flickered in her eyes. Her cherry lips and perfect jawline exuded an untamed beauty. "Jackie, that incident two years ago was purely accidental. I've always despised using such methods to promote myself. After all this time working together, you should know me!"

"Well..."

"Besides, Cordelia always emphasizes self-respect for the company's artists." Abigail looked at him. "Gimmicky publicity is one thing, but involving her son? Do you have the audacity? Don't drag me into it!" "I..." Jackie was rendered speechless by her retort and could only sigh heavily.

Abigail smirked, flashing a coquettish smile, and gracefully returned to the resting room.

The room was now empty, with only her inside. She took out a pen from her bag and gently caressed it, feeling its coolness against her skin. It touched the deepest part of her heart.

A genuine smile appeared on her charming face. She imagined how the man she liked would look while writing with this pen-his strong hands with distinct joints, his writing exuding power, refinement, and carefree elegance.

Abigail blushed as she lay on the bed, playfully pounding it with her hands, unable to contain her foolish smile whenever she thought of him.

Just then, the phone rang. Seeing the number, she quickly answered, eagerly asking, "How did it go?"

Chapter 1186

Chapter 1186

The assistant on the other end stammered, "Abigail... Uh... He's indeed in Centrolis."

Abigail was delighted, but her assistant's next sentence brought her crashing down. "But... it seems like he has a girlfriend."

"What!?"

"That girl is an intern in the Thompson Group, working on the film studio project team."

...

Lina had been busy all morning, finally getting a moment to catch her breath and take a sip of water. Just as she was about to relax, a colleague rushed over to inform her, "Lina, your mother is downstairs arguing with someone!"

"What!?" Lina almost choked on her water.

Renee quickly approached and patted her on the back, speaking softly, "Cuz, you go down and handle it. I'll stay here and keep an eye on things."

"Okay!"

"It's probably not Aunt Linda," Renee reassured her. "It's likely Aunt Melissa. The people at the front desk can be snobbish. When you go down, try not to argue with them. Keep your composure as much as you can. We'll sort it out later!"

Lina smiled and nodded in agreement.

She hurriedly made her way downstairs and saw Melissa being confronted by a group of people. It wasn't just the receptionists, but Amelia and her clique!

In fact, Melissa had been considering leaving Centrolis. She was concerned about her shop and house back home, and her illness seemed to be worsening. She was afraid her condition would be exposed if she stayed any longer.

That's why she had discussed it with Jesse and decided to leave quietly within the next couple of days.

However, she couldn't bear to leave without seeing her daughter one more time and having a brief conversation with her.

Knowing that Lina was busy with work and had limited alone time when she visited the Hamertons, Melissa wanted to get closer to her daughter before leaving.

Furthermore, with Lina's growing relationship with the Thompson couple, Melissa understood that she shouldn't disturb them anymore.

But today, she couldn't resist the impulse to get closer to her daughter. She came to the Supremacy Building and learned that Lina was working in the film studio project team. She wanted to go inside and see her for a moment.

Little did she know that not only did the front desk refuse her entry without an appointment, but she also coincidentally encountered Amelia and her clique.

When they discovered that she was Lina's mother, they made sarcastic remarks and prevented her from leaving.

A few of them surrounded her in the bustling lobby and insulted her, all while everyone watched. They even accused her of attempting to steal something and insisted on searching her before she could leave! Melissa grew anxious and angry. Melissa's face turned pale, and sweat trickled down her cheeks, combined with the pain from her illness.

"What are you doing?!" Unable to contain her anger, Lina rushed over, pushing Amelia forcefully and standing in front of her mother.

Amelia staggered backward from the push, instantly furious. She shouted at Lina, "How dare you push me? You're just an intern! Who do you think you are, shouting like this? It's completely unreasonable!" Despite Amelia's anger, Lina showed no fear. She stepped forward and coldly stared at the group.

The young girl's presence seemed to fill the entire lobby with an icy aura.

Although many people were present, everyone held their breath, captivated by the unfolding dramatic scene.

Lina took a deep breath and spoke with clear enunciation. "The three of you, apologize to my mother immediately!"

"Heh, heh..." Amelia and the others exchanged glances and sneered. "Apologize for what? We haven't done anything to her!"

"You stopped her, refused to let her leave, and wanted to search her! I saw it!"

"Lina Jenner!" Amelia arrogantly lifted her chin. "A stranger came to the company, and as employees, it's our responsibility to inquire about her! Besides, with how this middle-aged woman is dressed, who knows if she's a thief?"

Chapter 1187

Chapter 1187

Lina bit her lip, feeling a mix of anger and worry for Melissa.

She understood her mother's temper. Public humiliation like this hurt her more than a physical injury.

"Mom..." Lina supported Melissa and noticed her pale face. She was visibly distressed. "Don't get angry. You don't need to stoop down to their level."

"What do you mean?" Erin interjected. "We have a responsibility to verify the identity of unknown individuals!"

"But... Lina, your mother really made us see things differently!"

"Exactly! When she argued with us earlier, she acted like a shrew!"

"Yeah! Some of our colleagues even said that the intern's family must be wealthy." Amelia smirked with malice. "Hah! I guess I was right! If her family is rich, then I'll go dig coal!"

"Have you said enough?" Melissa's anger flared, and she glared at them. "You young ones are so sharp and mean-spirited. Show some decency! Be careful, or no one will want you in the future!

"My daughter works with all of you, and just because I didn't have an appointment, you treat me like this? Besides, I didn't even know about this rule until now. I was planning to leave, but you grabbed onto me! "Furthermore, my daughter... How can you say my daughter's family isn't wealthy? She-"

"Mom!" Lina patted her hand and gave her a stern look.

Melissa understood and immediately stopped speaking.

Lina whispered, "Mom, let me take you back first."

"Heh! This middle-aged woman doesn't know the rules. And you don't either?" Amelia continued. "Lina, you need to register her in the section for blacklisted unfamiliar visitors. Next time, the security can keep her outside the building. No need for her to come in!"

"You-"

Before Lina could respond, a commanding voice suddenly echoed.

"Does the Thompson Group have such a rule? Because I don't remember!"

Lina froze and saw Linda slowly entering the lobby. Her expression was cold, and her gaze swept over everyone, radiating authority.

Linda rarely appeared in the company, and most employees only knew her name without recognizing her in person. She stood in front of Amelia and Erin with a cold smirk, shielding Lina and Melissa behind her.

"What rule were you talking about just now? Enlighten me."

Although Amelia and Erin found her unfamiliar, they could sense her wealthy and powerful presence. They knew she was not someone to be trifled with. "Madam, you-"

"What's your name?" Linda stared at Amelia's name tag, her smile turning cryptic. "Amelia Rich?"

Then, she turned to Erin and Kendal.

"I remember all three of your names now." Linda hummed coldly. "Go to the HR department today and follow the proper termination procedures. You're fired!"

"What!?" The three of them had a sudden change in expression, mixed with a hint of discontent. "Who are you? Why are you spouting nonsense? The Thompson Group hired us through regular recruitment. We "

"I'm Linda Quimby." She raised an eyebrow and sneered. "Nicholas Thompson's wife. Is there a problem? Do I need your permission to terminate employees in my own company?"

A sudden veil of silence fell, and the air seemed to freeze. The onlookers were surprised, and whispers soon filled the surroundings.

Chapter 1188

Chapter 1188

Amelia and the others stood frozen in place, feeling as if countless needles were pricking them. The weight of their public condemnation threatened to make them faint.

As Linda turned her gaze toward Melissa and Lina, noticing their intimately intertwined hands, she felt an unexpected twinge of pain. However, she quickly put on a gentle smile. "Let your mother come in," she said softly.

Lina widened her eyes, slightly taken aback, and smiled at Melissa. "Shall we go in together?"

"No, no, it's alright..." Melissa felt embarrassed by the trouble she had caused. "Lina, I just wanted to come and see you today. I didn't expect to cause any trouble. You should go back to work, don't worry about me. —"

"Since you're already here, let's go up together." Linda's voice was gentle, but each word struck Melissa's heart.

Melissa looked up at her. When their eyes met, it felt as if a thousand words converged in that instant. Linda's anger, resentment, and helplessness mixed with Melissa's shame, regret, and reluctance... all intertwined as their eyes locked.

Like two stars colliding, there was a loud explosion, and then it all dissipated into thin air.

Linda took a deep breath, and seeing Melissa's meek demeanor, her heart clenched. She walked over and held Melissa's hand.

Melissa stiffened, looking at her in disbelief.

"Our daughter works very hard," Linda said softly. "I think she'd really like you to see where she works."

Melissa stared at Linda for a long moment, her eyes welling up with tears. Finally, she nodded.

The three of them ascended the stairs together.

Upon receiving the news, Mollie didn't have time to dwell on how Amelia and the others had offended the boss' wife and were fired. Her mind was consumed with the thought of not letting those fools drag her down.

She rushed over to Linda, bowing at a 90-degree angle with a forced smile on her face. She nodded and bowed excessively, showering Linda with flattery.

"Mrs. Thompson! Ah... I didn't know you were coming today. Please accept my apologies for not welcoming you properly. Please forgive me!

"Are you here today to inspect the company on behalf of Mr. Thompson?

"Heh... Everyone has been very proactive in their work! To ensure the smooth progress of the film studio project, I've been leading everyone to work overtime with great enthusiasm! And-"

"Overtime?" Linda interrupted, her sharp gaze piercing like a blade. "Was it you or those two interns who worked overtime? Hmm?"

Mollie's face turned pale, and her legs trembled slightly.

Since Linda entered the room, Gia had kept her head down at her desk. She didn't dare to speak up, discreetly straightening her posture and slipping out from the back.

Linda had noticed Gia's subtle movement long ago. However, she decided to temporarily let her off the hook as she wanted to deal with her aunt first. There would be ample opportunities to settle scores with Gia in the future.

"Ms. Chapman, you haven't answered my question." Linda smiled and said, "How many hours of overtime did Lina and Renee work? Please provide an exact number.

"Oh, by the way, why are they sitting in those seats?" Linda glanced at Mollie and pointed to Gia's workstation. "Who's sitting there now? And why isn't the person at their workstation?

"Ms. Chapman, please find out and let me know within two minutes. Alright?"

Chapter 1189

Chapter 1189

Mollie stood frozen, her wide eyes staring, and her hands trembling slightly. Her colleagues, who were usually bullied by her and had to please her, now stood up one after another, seeking revenge. "How could Ms. Chapman possibly work overtime? The hard and tiring tasks are always assigned to the interns as part of their 'newcomer workplace training"!"

"Yes, Ms. Chapman has been wholeheartedly 'supporting the newcomers.' Her enthusiasm is truly admirable!"

"But there seems to be one intern who's an exception... When Gia arrived, she acted even more arrogantly than the boss herself. She doesn't do anything yet receives praise from Ms. Chapman every day!" Flustered and stammering, Mollie said, "You... What nonsense are you talking about?"

"Gia?" Linda pursed her lips and walked toward the empty workstation, gently knocking on the desk. "Is this where Gia sits?"

"Yes!" everyone else hurriedly answered.

"If she's so outstanding, why isn't she present during work hours?" Linda's gaze turned sharp, and she looked coldly at Mollie. "Ms. Chapman, apart from the previous questions, you also need to explain this issue. Does this intern have special privileges?"

Mollie was already drenched in sweat, her teeth chattering, and she struggled to form a coherent sentence.

An employee spoke up. "Mrs. Thompson, even though Gia is an intern, she seems to have some connection to Ms. Chapman. She has privileges here!"

Linda shifted her gaze to Mollie, her tone rising at the end. "Is that so?"

"Mrs. Thompson, I—"

"Yes, Mrs. Thompson, that's true!" another employee added. "Ms. Chapman went out of her way to give Gia a prime position and even switched Lina and Renee's workstations! We couldn't bear to see it. Lina and Renee work diligently, but Ms. Chapman deliberately targets them..."

"You... You're all going too far!" Mollie's frustration overwhelmed her, and she nearly lost her balance.

Collecting herself, she forced a strained smile and looked at Linda pleadingly. "Mrs. Thompson, please... let me explain!

"I might have been strict with Lina and Renee, but I'm not specifically targeting them! Besides, if they didn't have any flaws in their work, I wouldn't have resorted to this!

"In any case, it takes two to tango!"

"It takes two to tango," Linda softly repeated these words with a cryptic smile.

Suppressing her anger, she glanced at Mollie's office.

It was a separate room, spacious and bright, occupying the best position on that floor. From the floor-to-ceiling windows, one could see the street outside. It was a world of difference compared to the tiny workstations next to the restroom.

Taking a deep breath, Linda looked at Mollie and calmly instructed, "Clean up your office and move out immediately."

Mollie was taken aback. "What?"

"As a manager, you've worked hard to mentor the interns and deserve a reward." Linda walked up to her and patted her shoulder. "I'll move you to a better position!"

Mollie was surprised and delighted. Did this mean she was getting a promotion?

"Thank you, Mrs. Thompson! Thank you, Mrs. Thompson!" She bowed repeatedly. Inadvertently, she turned her head to glare sinisterly at the people who had reported her.

Linda continued. "Ms. Chapman, you'll move to a new spot soon. Rearrange this office, and it will be a good fit for the two interns. Having them seated too close to the restroom might give outsiders the impression that the Thompson Group lacks even basic workstations for interns."

"Yes, Mrs. Thompson, you're right!" Overwhelmed with joy, Mollie agreed without thinking. "I'll immediately arrange for Lina and Renee's belongings to be moved into my office!" "Very well." Linda smiled. "Follow me."

Mollie hastily followed Linda, feeling like she had just hit the jackpot.

The disgruntled colleagues insisted on following them to argue their case.

Meanwhile, Lina and Renee exchanged a glance, sensing that things were not as simple as they seemed, so they went along with Melissa.

Linda walked ahead without a care. They descended the stairs, crossed the lobby, and continued to the alley at the back of the building.

Chapter 1190

Chapter 1190

The group behind them sensed something was amiss, particularly Mollie. Wasn't she supposed to be promoted and taken to a higher floor? What did this detour to a small path mean? Unable to contain her curiosity any longer, Mollie approached Linda humbly. "Mrs. Thompson, where are we going?"

Linda glanced around before fixing her gaze on Mollie with a faint smile on her lips. "I think this place is just right."

"Huh?"

"Didn't you say it takes two to tango just now?" Linda's eyes flickered with a hint of fierceness.

Confused, Mollie couldn't comprehend the meaning behind Linda's words. Before she could react, she saw a flash of intensity in Linda's eyes!

Suddenly, Linda raised her hand and delivered a powerful slap across Mollie's face!

Mollie stood there in shock, her cheek stinging with pain.

The people behind them were too stunned to utter a word. Even Lina was dumbfounded, her eyes fixed on Linda.

Linda sneered, deliberately enunciating each word. "Now, tell me, does a slap need two to tango?"

"Mrs. Thompson, you..." Mollie's mind went blank. "You slapped me?!"

"So what if I slapped you?" Linda's expression turned icy with a mocking smile on her lips. "Do I need to consult the stars to choose the perfect moment to slap you?"

"You-"

"I may be the wife of the Thompson Group's CEO in the building, so I can't just randomly hit people.

"But now that we're outside the building..." Linda gnashed her teeth. "I'm Nicholas' wife! Do you not know who Nicholas used to be? His methods of dealing with people are far from a simple slap!" Mollie's legs gave way, and she fell to her knees, fear filling her eyes.

"lan!" Linda roared.

lan and his men immediately emerged from another path. The tall and sturdy bodyguards wore solemn expressions that seemed to block out the sunlight.

lan smiled. He had heard stories of how Mollie had been tormenting his family's two princesses in the project team. Finally, this despicable woman had fallen into his hands!

Linda gritted her teeth, determination lacing her every word. "lan, I don't care what methods you use, but I don't want to see this person in the Thompson Group again!"

"Understood!"

With two men gripping Mollie's shoulders, she panicked and couldn't utter a word. All she could do was scream hysterically.

"Let go... Let go of me! You... You can't do this- Mmph!"

lan wasted no time and forcefully covered her mouth with a rag.

Linda's gaze was as sharp as a knife as it pierced Mollie's face.

"Why can't I?" She sneered. "You bullied my daughter and my niece. Can't I seek justice for them?"