Lena POV
If it isn't the most shameless person I know.
That sentence brought Sylvia's and my discussion to an abrupt end.
We both raised our heads at the same time, only to see one of the leeches we had been talking about.
"What do you want, Ashley?" I asked, already irritated by her presence.
"You have the guts to show your face here after everything you did to Evans?"
I wasn't ready for this drama today.
"Let's go, Sylvia."
Sylvia stood up with me, ready to leave, but Ashley quickly blocked our way.
"Ashley, get out of my way and let us pass."
"Have you no shame, Lena?" she sneered. "You dare show your face here after spending a night with another man just days before your wedding to Evans."
"That's enough, Ashley. You know what you're saying isn't true."
Why did she always like to stir things up? Had I really been this blind, unable to see her for who she truly was?
A snake.
"Are you going to deny that you slept with a stranger a few days ago?" she continued loudly.
"And when your fiancé confronted you, you hired hooligans to beat him up, now he's lying in the ICU!"
She screamed every word, clearly wanting everyone in the coffee shop to hear.
Yet one thing was clear, she was afraid to mention Raymond's name.
Murmurs spread around us. People began whispering and throwing side remarks.
"Who would've thought gentle Miss Smith was actually this shameless?" one girl scoffed.
"Cuckolding Mr. Evans, how outrageous."
So this was Ashley's plan. To humiliate me publicly and spread rumors, especially since many of our employees came here during breaks.
"Ashley, you know that's not true. That's not how it
happened."
"So you admit it did happen?" she pressed.
I was momentarily at a loss for words.
"I could've sworn Madam Ashley was lying," someone whispered from the crowd.
"That's why you shouldn't trust people too easily. The gentle ones are always the worst pretenders."
"To think she allowed her fiancé to be beaten… that's terrifying."
"But wasn't Miss Lena always catering to Mr. Evans' every need?" another voice added. "She even made him the general manager and was planning to promote him to CEO."
"You're right, Cece. Maybe she did all that just to cover up her cheating."
"Ashley," I said coldly, my face burning with anger,
"I'm not warning you again. Move."
How did I ever become friends with this manipulative woman?
"Not until you go and apologize to Evans and promise not to act out of line again."
All this while Sylvia had been silent, until she finally snapped.
She shoved Ashley aside and turned to me.
"This is how you handle it, Lena," Sylvia said calmly. "When you encounter a fly that won't stop buzzing, you either squash it, or swat it aside."
"Some people aren't worth listening to," she added. "Their mouths only spit lies."
I burst out laughing. I had no idea Sylvia had this side to her.
There was something noble about her—an air of authority, like an upper-class lady used to command respect.
"Y-you!" Ashley stammered. "Sylvia, how dare you push me? You are just an assistant! I'll deal with you, and I'll make sure Evans fires you when he returns!"
"I'd like to see him try," Sylvia shot back.
We left the coffee shop together. Sylvia was still fuming once we got outside.
I couldn't stop laughing, it was refreshing to finally have someone stand up for me instead of the other way around.
"I can't stand her," Sylvia said. "Not before, not now. I don't know how you tolerated her, Lena."
"I don't know how I did either," I replied. "Because
I can't stand her now."
"Let's go."
Right on cue, Sullivan pulled the car up front. I gestured for Sylvia to get in as he opened the door.
Inside the car, we chatted about random things. I told her I wanted to cook for Raymond, to thank him for helping me the other day, but I wasn't sure what to make.
She suggested a few dishes before I dropped her off at her place.
To my surprise, Sylvia lived in an extremely expensive neighborhood, second only to where Raymond lived.
That only deepened my suspicion about her background, but I decided to let it go for now.
When we arrived home, Sullivan opened the door for me.
"Thank you, Sullivan."
"You're welcome, ma'am."
As I looked around, I noticed Raymond's car parked in front. He was already back.
I hurried inside and arrived just in time to see Bertha bringing out fresh vegetables and stock.
"Hello, Bertha."
She turned, saw me standing at the kitchen door, and smiled warmly.
"Welcome back. I hope you enjoyed your outing."
"I did," I said. "I'd like to make dinner for Raymond tonight. Would that be possible?"
"Of course, ma'am. Just tell me what you need, and I'll help set it aside."
"Please, call me Lena," I corrected gently.
She smiled. "Oh, right. Okay, Lena."