Frederick scoffed at Grace's words. "So, what's the difference?"Grace replied with a hint of satisfaction, "The first option lets you leave on your own with a shred of dignity. The second? I throw you out."Frederick snorted. Seeing Priscilla and Grace again was like accidentally tuning into a cringeworthy reality show.If he'd known they worked here, he would've turned and walked right back out. However, Grace just threatened to kick him out. Leaving now would be like admitting she scared him.There was no way!Sitting himself nonchalantly in a chair, Frederick met Grace's gaze unflinchingly."Here I am. Are you feeling brave enough to toss me out? Do it. Otherwise, shut your pie hole and get lost. What a rabid dog! I've got work to do!"Seeing those two again made Frederick sigh in exasperation. It seemed fate was determined to throw him together with these annoying women no matter where he went!Frederick's comparison of Grace to a "rabid dog" sent ripples of laughter thr
This was the first time.Never before had an employee dared to challenge Grace's authority.Used to bending even the director to her will, Grace understood a core principle—power thrived on fear. One slip, one instance of defiance, and the carefully constructed hierarchy could crumble. Grace said angrily, "Bitch, just because you have Frederick as your shield, you think you're something special? Hiding behind a man, huh? That's your talent? You're nothing but a slut born to be played by men!"Melissa lost her temper as well. She stepped in front of Frederick, hands on her hips, and said to Grace, "So what if I am? I'm right here, not hiding behind anyone. Hit me if you dare. Do you think you can beat me with your injured hands?"Grace was caught off guard by Melissa's sudden defiance. She faltered as the throbbing pain in her hand was a stark reminder of her vulnerability. Two healthy hands against one injured one; the fight wouldn't be pretty.Empowered by her newfound courag
With Team One now so united, they probably wouldn't apologize.Catching Priscilla's frown, Grace quickly soothed her concerns. "Don't fret, Prissy. Once Frederick's out of the picture, those sheep will cower back down. He's the one riling them up."Priscilla nodded in agreement. Frederick was clearly the instigator.With renewed purpose, they set off to find Ivy.…Meanwhile, Ivy was on the phone with Anya."Anya, weren't you supposed to check on the new guy today? What happened? And guess what? He already got into a fight with Grace on his first day! Talk about a troublemaker."Anya's brow furrowed at the news of a fight. But upon learning it was Grace who ended up on the receiving end, she suspected there was more to the story. As close friends, Ivy kept Anya looped in on all the company gossip, and Grace's bullying was no secret. However, Anya had become somewhat desensitized to it. Talented salespeople often got away with bullying their colleagues. After all, they brough
Grace had never treated Ivy with much respect.In her view, Ivy's position should belong to Priscilla, with Grace as a powerful second-in-command. Normally, Ivy would let Grace's arrogance slide.But after Anya's call, Ivy was determined to put a stop to it.Today, the line was crossed. Grace barged into the office without knocking.Ivy's stern voice cut through the tension. "Grace, don't you have hands to knock?"Furious and ready for a fight, Grace raised her cactus-decorated hand. "Can't you see? My hand is hurt."Priscilla quickly tried to smooth things over for Grace and said, "Ms. Mallin, her hand is indeed injured."Ivy knew Priscilla usually handled reports. Grace wouldn't be here unless something significant went down. Ivy settled back in her chair, a cool mask on her face, waiting for Grace to explain.Grace immediately said, "Ms. Mallin, there's this new guy, Frederick York. You know him?"A sly smile played on Ivy's lips. Grace's anger clearly stemmed from Frederic
"Responsible leadership means listening to the best ideas for the company's benefit. During Frederick's interview yesterday, his insights into fashion were impressive. He pinpointed some flaws in Priscilla's designs, and quite frankly, they were valid," said Ivy.Grace's response was a harsh, humorless laugh. "Unique fashion insights? From Frederick? This guy barely finished school, and now he's supposedly better than Prissy, a top fashion graduate?"Ivy was surprised at Grace's words. Apparently, Grace knew Frederick well.Regardless, Frederick's observations about the fashion line were undeniably insightful compared to Priscilla's. Ivy remained calm. "If dismissal over the fashion line is what you seek, let me be clear, I stand by Frederick's assessment. His points are accurate. As long as I'm the director, we don't fire people for being right."Her unwavering support for Frederick caught Priscilla and Grace completely off guard. Getting him fired today seemed like a lost cause
Fuming as they stormed out of the office, Grace said angrily, "See? I knew it! There's no way Frederick charmed everyone in Team One on his own. He clearly has Ivy in his back pocket."Having witnessed the exchange in Ivy's office, Priscilla was mostly convinced. After all, Frederick's history with Vivianne's scheme was unsettling."But how do they even know each other?" she pondered.Grace's sneer deepened. "Mooching, of course. Just like he mooched off Vivianne before. Remember the other woman on the cruise? Mistress of that Tyger? That's how he gets close to these bigwigs. Now he's using the same tactic on Ivy."Didn't you notice? He wears suits every day now. It's a stark contrast to how he dressed when he was living off you and putting in zero effort."Priscilla's face darkened. Hearing about Frederick's trail of women was a bitter pill to swallow.When they first met, he was the picture of a polished expat. But after marriage, he'd shed the facade, opting for cheap clothes
"By the way, how are we going to deal with Frederick and his people?"Stuck on how to handle Frederick and his newfound allies, Priscilla confessed her inexperience with such confrontations.Grace offered a sly smile with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "It's not a big deal. One phone call to Marsh tomorrow, and Frederick's goose is cooked."Priscilla's eyes widened at her words. Marsh Benson, Team One's leader, and Frederick's direct supervisor, would naturally favor his own team—just as Priscilla always sided with Team Two."Grace, are you crazy? Why would Marsh help us?"Grace's smirk widened. "My dear, naive Prissy, you think I'd let you stagnate as a team leader forever? Your talent dwarfs Ivy's. You deserve the director's chair! I've been strategically planning for your rise all along."Priscilla stared at Grace and was stunned. "Planning for what, exactly?"Grace's smile grew. "Remember, half the branch staff here are employees from your old company, right?"Priscilla g
On his first day at work, Frederick was surrounded by his female colleagues.Leaving work in high spirits, he whistled a happy tune.…Meanwhile, Wynne was in the hospital. Both his legs were in casts, and he was in immense pain.His phone rang, and a glimmer of joy flickered across his face when he saw the caller ID."Any news?" he eagerly asked.Wynne wanted information on Frederick and Anya, the two people he believed had caused his fall. He had given his thugs only their names and the fact that Frederick worked at Timbergale Corporation.The thug replied, "There's definitely a Frederick at Timbergale, and the Anya you're looking for is the company's president."Wynne furiously punched the headboard of his hospital bed. "That bitch! It explains why she wasn't interested in my money. She prefers to give herself to a pretty boy! What a slut!"Seething with rage and feeling a strong urge to kill them both, Wynne barely noticed the impatient tone of the voice on the other end o