Eric watched Aurora’s indifferent figure recede, adjusted his glasses, and the corners of his mouth curled into a resigned, bitter smile. If not for the agitation from Julian in the past few days, making him yearn for Aurora with all his heart, he would not have taken such a risky move.
His initial plan had been to exploit their newfound relationship, knowing it might cause her to resent him temporarily, but it would certainly drive a wedge between her and Julian. He thought that, in time, with a bit of manipulation, Aurora accepting him was just a matter of when, not if.
However, he had underestimated one thing: all this was a trap set by Julian to lure him into exposing his own ulterior motives. Now, Aurora knew of his ill intentions.
Just as a first impression can define one’s perception, once it’s poor, that person might dislike you for life. Damn it, he had been too impatient. But seeing her getting along increasingly well with Julian, how could he not feel rushed? Everything he had built up had crumbled overnight, ending up as a wasted effort.
Aurora had just arrived at the office when a familiar voice exclaimed, “What? You expect me to stay in such a small space? Are you kidding me?”
Several people were in the office, led by Ivy. Yes, she was supposed to start working today, but she hadn’t expected her to be assigned to her own office.
Although Grandpa Montgomery had specifically instructed Ivy and Zachary not to reveal their identities and to join the company as ordinary employees for learning, Ivy’s frequent appearances made it impossible for everyone not to recognize her. Everyone treated her with the utmost respect, fearful of offending the young heiress.
“Miss Montgomery, you are just an employee and should, by rights, be in that corner. We have specially arranged this window-side spot for you. It’s the most spacious spot among us all, and you are the first to bask in the sunlight every day. The view from here is also quite pleasant,” the HR manager said obsequiously, nodding and bowing excessively in front of her. Everyone knew the president doted on this precious daughter. Her role as a minor employee was probably meant to give her a taste of life.
“How would outsiders know what’s happening with the Montgomery family? They still think Ivy is very important, treating her as if she were a princess.”
“View the scenery? Am I here on vacation?” Ivy snorted coldly.
“Miss Montgomery, our office is only this big. If not here, should you go to that corner?” the HR manager replied helplessly.
“I want to stay there,” Ivy pointed at Aurora’s separate glass office.
“That’s not possible, Miss Montgomery. That’s the manager’s office. You’re just a regular employee; it wouldn’t be proper for you to be there,” he reasoned.
“Yeah, if the manager finds out, she’ll definitely be upset,” others in the office chimed in, buzzing with comments. Ivy had forgotten that Aurora was the HR manager.
“So what if she’s the manager? My dad is the president, and my grandfather is the chairman. If I just mention it to them, what’s so hard about getting a small glass office?” Ivy boasted, her arrogance catching Aurora’s eye. This woman still hadn’t learned her lesson, still showing off in front of her.
Their hair had already been sent off for testing, and soon their identities would be exposed. Despite this, they remained smug. Aurora looked at Ivy as if she were a destitute beggar.
“You really shouldn’t go there, Miss Montgomery.”
“Get out of my way, I like this room, and no matter who says otherwise, it’s mine now. What are you all standing around for? Move my things in!” Ivy kicked a bodyguard who was moving her belongings.
“A big talker, aren’t you? I want to see how this room is yours,” a woman’s cool voice rang out.
At the sound of this voice, the expressions of the others improved slightly. Ivy didn’t know why, but she felt intimidated by Aurora’s voice subconsciously.
Aurora had a kind of magic about her; whether it was her voice or her presence, she always managed to capture everyone’s attention.
Even with a simple sentence, all eyes turned toward her as she stood there in a black and white sheath dress that hugged her perfect figure and curves, her makeup impeccable and her presence too dominant to ignore.
Especially next to Ivy, who was dressed in a runway-style dress that clashed with the office environment.
“Aurora, it’s you!” Ivy’s face fell at the sight of Aurora, haunted by the memory of how Aurora had undercut her during their last interview.
“Since you are an employee in my department, please address me as ‘Manager’ like everyone else. You want to sit there?” Aurora commanded the room upon her arrival.
The once arrogant woman seemed insignificant in her presence, and everyone else felt an impulse to side with Aurora.
“Yes, and why should you get an office to yourself?” Ivy complained, discontented.
Aurora had become a manager upon her arrival, while they were merely minor employees, their positions secured only through Genevieve’s good words.
She felt the world was unfair, as if all good things were given to Aurora, who everyone seemed to favor.
“Why? That’s really a laughable question. Why don’t you all tell her why?” Aurora glanced at the others.
“Because she is our department’s manager, overseeing all of us. That’s why she deserves that office,” Heather responded.
“Who are you to talk? Shut up,” Ivy snapped at Heather, tired of being reminded repeatedly that Aurora was the manager.
“If you want to throw a tantrum, go back to the Montgomery family and have it out there, but in this company, you follow the company’s rules,” Aurora countered coldly.
She glanced at the bodyguard’s load: a humidifier, massage chair, tablet, slippers, clothes, coffee maker…
No wonder Ivy was reluctant to take the other seats; which could accommodate all her belongings?
“Are you moving in? Bringing face masks, cosmetics, and a curling iron? You’re here to work, not to luxuriate. Take everything unrelated to work back home.”
“It’s none of your business; I want to use these things. I’m going to my father now to get him to arrange a big office for me!” Ivy stormed out.
Aurora snorted coldly, “I gave you a chance, and you didn’t take it. Throw all these things out!”