Perhaps noticing that Aurora had no intention of intervening, Alison grew even more smug. Aurora, nearly their age, had become a manager, a feat Alison refused to believe was clean of any backdoor dealings. She assumed Aurora must have entered the company through similar means, perhaps even backed by someone more influential than she was. “If we’re birds of a feather, all I need to do is avoid provoking her further,” Alison thought, “and then I can do as I please with everyone else.”
Heather’s fingers tightened then relaxed. She knew well that a vice-president supported Alison, and to continue working here, she absolutely could not afford to offend her. Even though her heart screamed in protest, what could she do? This was her life. Without uttering a word in retaliation, she simply shook the food off her clothes and apologized to Aurora with a remorseful expression, “Manager, I’m very sorry. Let me get you another…”
Aurora hadn’t expected such forbearance; clearly, Heather had been pushed around enough. “Everyone has their own fate,” she resigned. As the cafeteria worker hurriedly handed over the four dishes Aurora had ordered, trying to avoid the brewing storm, Aurora said, “No need to apologize, you’ve done nothing wrong.” Then, as she finished speaking, she threw her tray onto Alison.
A shriek pierced the air as greasy stains covered Alison’s bare legs. “What… you dared to dump food on me?” Alison trembled, pointing at Aurora.
Heather hadn’t anticipated such a clean and decisive action from Aurora, only hearing her calm voice say, “Sorry, my hand slipped.” The casual remark seemed to dismiss Alison, who was left seething, “You bitch, don’t think you’re something special just because you’re a manager. You know how many men you’ve slept with…”
Alison was ranting uncontrollably, spewing all the vile words that came to her head, but before she could finish, Aurora pressed the tray against her face. Onlookers were stunned; they were accustomed to seeing cakes smashed on faces during birthdays, but never tomato pasta. “It seems your mouth could do with a good cleaning. Do you think all women are like you just because you are? It appears this morning’s lesson wasn’t enough for you.”
Aurora’s voice was cold and commanding, her presence imposing. Heather truly admired her composure despite her young age. Alison’s face was covered in oil; she wiped the grains of rice off her face, but the grease blurred her vision, making her feel utterly disgusted. “Give me a napkin! Are all of you dead?” She redirected her anger toward the cafeteria staff.
Aurora, watching her arrogant and entitled behavior, thought to herself that Alison, who had neither the rank of a princess nor the official status of a mistress-merely a casual partner of Paul-really believed she owned the heavens. These delusional women needed a wake-up call.
As a cafeteria worker approached with a towel, Aurora grabbed it first and handed it to Heather, “Wipe yourself.” Alison, instinctively fearing Aurora after being humiliated twice by her, stuttered, “You are, you are… I will not let this go.”
She wiped her face with a towel she got from the cafeteria staff, her heavy makeup smearing into a chaotic mix of black and red. Aurora didn’t bother to admire the spectacle, only looking at Heather with a hint of pity.
Heather gratefully took a clean towel from her and wiped the stains off her body, while Alison fumed nearby.
“What’s going on here? What happened?” A middle-aged man’s voice suddenly rang out, and at the sound, Alison smiled. Her sugar daddy had arrived!
“Manager, Mr. Montgomery is here, I’m sorry, it’s all my fault,” Heather said, no longer worried about whether she could keep working at the company but feeling guilty for involving Aurora.
“We are in the right; I’m not afraid even if the king himself shows up,” Aurora said calmly, then turned to look.
Paul, along with Magnus, Eric, and Sean, came over, Paul having been the one who spoke first. As Magnus caught Aurora’s eye, he was about to greet her but was silenced by her stern look.
Grandpa Montgomery had strictly instructed not to reveal her identity; even if they met at the company, they had to pretend not to know each other. Magnus clamped his mouth shut, knowing that Paul naturally clashed with Aurora.
Even without Alison, if Ivy and Zachary joined the company, Paul would surely suppress Aurora to promote the two. Now, although they hadn’t joined yet, he had already formed a rivalry with Aurora. It seemed like whether it was fortune or misfortune, it was unavoidable.
The inevitable had to be faced, and Aurora stood calmly in the middle of it all, while Alison rushed towards Paul in a frenzy.
“Mr. Montgomery, you must stand up for me!”
“What happened to your face?” Paul almost jumped in fright at the sight of Alison’s smeared makeup, wondering if she had gone mad.
Unaware of the extent of her disheveled appearance, Alison pleaded pitifully, “Mr. Montgomery, I was just eating lunch in the cafeteria when Ms. Anne poured her food on me.”
“That’s outrageous! Who is this Anne?” Paul, though barely able to look directly at her face, was furious that someone dared to bully his woman.
Paul had just returned from a business trip today and was not yet aware of the company’s new managerial appointment. Aurora hadn’t had a chance to meet with everyone, so his ignorance of her presence was understandable.
“Mr. Montgomery, are you looking for me?” Aurora approached lazily, a mocking smile playing on her lips but her eyes cold.
“Are you this Anne?” Paul’s gaze swept over her, and he was momentarily stunned.
He had seen countless beauties, but never one so exquisitely beautiful and capable as this young woman. Her demeanor alone set her leagues above Alison.
With his experienced eye, he recognized her as a rare gem, just as he had grown tired of Alison, and to his surprise, another gem had appeared in the company.
Eric, seeing his father’s expression, knew immediately what he was thinking and quickly interjected, “She is our new manager.”
Magnus coughed slightly, “Ms. Anne, why did you spill the food on her?”
“It slipped,” Aurora replied lazily with just two words.