After the divorce, he begged

The next day at the company, Rebecca presented her plan to the team. Besides herself, four more participants

were needed. She shared the prepared script with them.

As she had anticipated, the four participants were quickly found. Jane submitted the program roster.

After that, Rebecca resumed her work. During a restroom break, she coincidentally encountered Lisa while

washing her hands.

Lisa greeted her, and Rebecca nodded in acknowledgment.

Lisa moved closer, eyeing their reflections in the mirror. “I went hlast night and got a big sip of tea,” she

said.

Rebecca responded earnestly, missing the implication, “Was it sweet?”

“Not that kind of tea,” Lisa said. She glanced around before whispering, “It’s about Andrea’s secret.”

Rebecca paused, and almost instantly her guard shot up. She recalled Jessica’s warning of being wary of those

who traded secrets for friendship.

“Do you know what's going on between Andrea and Mr. Hanson?” Lisa asked quietly.

Rebecca wiped her hands with a tissue while answering casually, “They're secretary and CEO, and the whole

department knows about it.” Then, she turned to walk away.

“I meant their personal relationship.” Lisa blocked her path subtly.

“No idea,” Rebecca said and strode out before Lisa could continue.

Back at her desk, Rebecca focused on work, pretending nothing happened. Though Lisa tried to spill the tea

several times, Rebecca kept declining with “I'm busy.”

Lisa caught the cold shoulder. When the lunch break started, she hung back on purpose, hoping to talk to

Rebecca alone. “Rebecca, did | say something that upset you?” Lisa asked.

“What?” Rebecca looked genuinely confused.

“You barely answeredall morning.” Lisa looked embarrassed. “I sometimes speak without thinking. If 1 said

anything that rubbed you the wrong way, please don’t take it to heart.”

The old Rebecca would've ignored the uncomfortable apology, but now she had realized the workplace left no

room for pettiness.

Pressing her rosy lips, she said something that sounded nothing like her. “Oh, that?” she first murmured.

Lisa nodded. “Yeah.”

Rebecca continued, “You kept trying to tellsgossip about that person earlier.” She intentionally

Chapter 69

avoided the name. “But this is the workplace. People cand go. You never know who might overhear.”

“Then I'll share the gossip with you after work.” Lisa changed her attitude.

“Okay,” Rebecca casually replied. “I'll listen when I'm free.”

Lisa nodded. “Alright.”

Rebecca nodded in acknowledgment before heading to the hospital. Unbeknownst to her, Andrea immediately

emerged from the adjacent conference room as soon as she left.

Lisa jumped when she saw Andrea, forcing a smile. “Hi, Andrea.”

“What gossip were you sharing with Rebecca earlier?” Andrea asked with her signature gentle smile that made

people feel at ease. “Mind tellingtoo?”

Lisa's lips parted slightly. “Well...”

Andrea pressed, “Is it perhaps gossip about me?”

“Of course not,” Lisa replied immediately.

“Just teasing you,” Andrea said casually, glancing where Rebecca had left. “Rebecca’s got a reserved nature. If

she ever rubs you the wrong way, don’t take it personally. She’s lived a sheltered, privileged life since childhood,

so she’s not exactly street-smart.”

“Is Rebecca from a wealthy family?” Lisa asked.

Andrea feigned hesitation. “Her family used to be wealthy, but after their bankruptcy, things... weren't the

same.”

Lisa nodded in understanding. The first tshe'd met Rebecca, she'd pegged her as raised-in-luxury because

Rebecca had perfect skin, looked elegant, and seemed aloof and detached no matter what happened.

“Anyway, no more gossip at work,” Andrea warned after letting the revelation sink in. “Rebecca wasn’t entirely

wrong.”

“Got it. Lisa nodded.

Rebecca had no idea Andrea had spilled her family history. Since returning from the hospital, she'd noticed Lisa's

odd glances but remained too absorbed in work to care.

Jane eventually pulled her aside during a break. “Pick a date for team dinner.”

Rebecca was confused.

Jane said, “Department dinners are held whenever there's a new colleague.”

“Can | skip it?” Rebecca asked, still haunted by the last dinner experience.

Jane answered honestly, “You can. But it gives half-day leave with company expenses. They've been asking

when you're available.”

Rebecca fell silent. The team clearly prioritized the half-day break over actual bonding.

Sometimes, excessive company benefits backfired spectacularly.

“I'll cancel citing project deadlines if you truly object,” Jane offered, noticing her hesitation. “No one will protest.”

Rebecca's eyes lit up. “That would be wonderful. Thank you, Jane.”

Jane was both team leader and project supervisor, so her decisions carried authority.

But plans changed when Andrea

announced in the group chat that the

anniversary aL om

ee utedmext Wb nesday. She

added that holidays granted Monday

and Tuesday—Monday for team

building, Tuesday for welcome

dinner. The content is on

novelenglish.net! Read the latest

chapter there!

The message also mentioned that a luxury villa had been booked for the event.

Seeing the excited replies in the

group chat about the holidays, mn

Rebecca felt degpalXcioep'in ff not

fr, er. MNgering rationality, she

would've immediately submitted a

leave request. The content is on

novelenglish.net! Read the latest

chapter there!

Meanwhile, her colleagues were whispering to each other. “Five days off starting right after work today! Who else

has this privilege?”

“Was this Mr. Taylor's decision or Mr. Hanson's?”

“Don’t celebrate yet. With this week's targets unmet, prepare for a scolding in the meeting.”

Amidst mixed emotions, the Friday afternoon meeting tarrived.

The entire department sat in the conference room. At 3:30 PM, Jeffrey entered, his mere presence still making

everyone uneasy despite their days of acquaintance.

Rebecca was still upset. When Jeffrey entered, his gaze briefly swept over her.

“No reports today,” Andrea

announced beside him. “Letlay

out next weelssafidul. No work

I ThA from Monday

to Wednesday, but no one can ask

for leave during the events.” The

content is on novelenglish.net! Read

the latest chapter there!

Andrea listed numerous guidelines that ultimately condensed to three rules: No leave permitted, compliance

with arrangements, and safety precautions.

“Meeting adjourned,” Jeffrey declared after Andrea’s briefing, his voice cold. Then, he looked at Rebecca and

added, “Rebecca remains.”

Rebecca paused while reaching for the notebook as others cast sideways glances her way.