“But I’m sure you’re aware of how influential the Morning Star is. Not only do they have a clean record when it comes to publishing fake news in recent years, I also heard that the article was written by the chief editor herself. I’m just worried that this’ll eventually blow up,” Ross said.
“Don’t worry, I trust Henson can take care of everything well,” Wendy assured.
He then patted her shoulder before replying, “I suppose so. It IS Mr. Charles they’re up against, after all. Perhaps my mom was just overthinking things. Anyways, let me know if you need my help, Wendy, I’ll do everything in my power to help you when the time comes. But of course, I also hope that nothing bad happens to you up to the point where you require my assistance,”
“Thanks. I think you should head home and send my regards to your mother now. I’m looking forward to having food over at your place again,” she said.
“Sure,” he chuckled.
After conversing for a bit longer, she got off his car and he eventually went on his way.
When she returned to her office, she noticed that Carmen was looking at her in a really creepy way.
“Why are you looking at me like that, Carmen? You’re freaking me out,” she giggled nervously as a frown started to form on her face.
“Everyone on campus must envy you to death right now, Miss Evans! Ah, how romantic! Looking at how things are going now, you’d better lock your doors tight later, for I fear someone’s gonna get totally wrecked tonight,” Carmen giggled mischievously.
Wendy, who was too stunned to speak, could only stare at her in shock. “Miss Carmen!” she called out her name in a flustered tone.
“I didn’t hear anything, I didn’t hear anything~” Ian piped up in a singsong manner as he covered his ears.
Wendy could only giggle and let out a sigh in the end as she plopped herself back in her seat. “I’m literally powerless against you all,” she joked
then fished out her phone to shoot Henson a text. “The Lowry’s caught wind of the news and sent Big Bro Ross over to check on me just now. Up until now, I’ve never once felt like people actually gave two sh*ts about me, and maybe it’s because my mindset has changed, but it does feel that the world’s a bit warmer now,” it read.
A smile gradually crept up on Henson’s lips as he finished reading her text. He replied soon after, “My world’s become so much warmer too since the day I met you. I feel that this has to do with one’s mentality. I’m really glad that you’re slowly learning to let people into your heart,”
When she put down her phone, she scratched her forehead and smiled to herself. “I suppose,” she thought.
Around ten minutes into her break, her phone rang.
When she unlocked her phone, she noticed that Sally had sent her a text.
Turns out, she’d sent her a picture
of her and Ross chatting in the car a while ago.
In the picture, the two of them were all smiles.
Wendy frowned at that. If it were someone else, she wouldn’t have minded so much,
but since it was Sally who’d sent it to her,
this reminded her of how obstinate the woman could be,
and how she must have her own agenda in doing so.
She decided to get out of the office and dial Sally’s number in the end.
Sally picked up the call in a flash.
“May I know why you sent me the photo, Miss Sally?” Wendy asked in a calm manner.
“Didn’t you tell me that you didn’t have any feelings towards Ross? That you’re just neighbours, friends, brother and sister?” Sally mocked in a chilly tone.
“Our relationship has never changed. Why? You have a problem with that?” Wendy shot back.
“If the two of you were just that, then why’d you rendezvous with him in his car? You have the looks, Wendy, but even if Mr. Charles didn’t want you anymore, why’d you have to go for Ross of all people? Why seduce him of all people? How dare you snatch him away from me when we’ve already been through so much together?” Sally accused.
Wendy furrowed her brows upon hearing what she’d just said.
‘Rendezvous’? ‘Seduce’?
Those words stung.
“No one’s snatching him from you. Me and Ross are just friends, nothing more, nothing less, so please stop badmouthing me. Ross didn’t come to see me out of his own volition but only came to check on me per his mother’s orders. Plus, I’m still with Henson, and our relationship is better than ever,” Wendy argued.
This enraged Sally. “Do you think I’m that stupid? Mr. Charles literally just announced his engagement to the world, so what makes you think that you can still fool me? Ever since that day he had dinner over at Ross’ place, I knew that something didn’t add up for a man of his status to go out with a plain Jane like you. Since then, I knew that your relationship wouldn’t last, and as I thought, I was right all along.
“The rich are probably laughing at you right now. To think that you’re still harbouring these delusions and even tried to trick me with your lies? Heh, if you’re really that confident in yourself, you better prove it. As long as you get Ross to come back to me, I’ll make sure that you won’t break up with Henson,” she retorted.
This caused Wendy to stare at the caller ID in disbelief. “Why should I prove anything to you when your breakup was your own doing? So, just because I haven’t broken up with my boyfriend means that I should help you get back yours?” she said incredulously.
“You not helping me just proves that you feel guilty about the matter,” Sally huffed.
Wendy was really at her wit’s end with this woman as she let out a deep exhale. “What kind of logic was that?!” she thought.
“Do what you want, just promise me you won’t send me weird photos like that again in the future. I’ll have you know I still plan on keeping my job,” Wendy snapped.
“Would you still be able to say the same if the reporters manage to procure the picture?” Sally taunted.
“What are you up to now?” Wendy asked back while frowning.
“I was just thinking of leaking the photo to a reporter, so that the world knows that it isn’t Henson who’s the cheater in this relationship, but you. I can’t wait to let the whole world know that you’re the shameless one,” Sally sneered.
Wendy’s expression went dark in an instant. “Now I understand why Big Bro Ross let you go. You’re f*cking insane!” she hollered
then hung up.
Since she was still seething with rage, Sally dialed Wendy’s number back.
Wendy refused to pick up her call.
What more could she even say if she answered? She rather not waste her breath talking to such a paranoid individual.
But as a safety precaution, she decided to forward the photo Sally sent her to Henson.
As expected, she received a call from him shortly after.
“The photo isn’t very clear, but I can see that you’re all smiles when you’re around other men,” he commented sarcastically.
She rolled her eyes at that. “The nerve of this man,” she thought.
“Sally was the one who sent me the photo,” she said flatly.
“Is she Ross’ girlfriend?” he asked.
“His ex-girlfriend, to be precise,” she answered, annoyed.
“It’s not like I care about her. I’m more interested to know WHY she sent it to you,” he probed.
She then recounted to him everything she told her just now.
“F*cking idiot,” he mumbled after she finished.
“Did you just cuss at me?” she huffed.
“I was cussing at her,” he chuckled.
“Well, that was a good one,” she said in a serious tone, trying not to burst out in laughter.
“To think she still has enough brain cells leftover to blackmail you,” he smirked.
“Do you reckon she’ll actually make the photo public though? I feel that it’ll reflect really badly on me if she posted them now, since the reporters will surely be knocking at my door and on campus when that happens,” she surmised.
“Yep, it’ll definitely look really bad for you if she posted them online and talked sh*t about you right now,” he added.
This caused her to feel upset. “I blame it on you then. Honestly, what was with the grandiose romantic gesture just now. Didn’t you hear that people who flaunt their relationships in public are more likely to break up? Ugh, who knew my luck would be this bad,” she grumbled.
“Chillax, I won’t allow anyone to harm you while I’m still around,” he assured her.