Chapter 17
Emily approached the hotel manager just as he was speaking with a woman.
The moment she recognized the woman's face, Emily immediately stopped in her tracks, deciding against continuing forward.
This woman was none other than her high school classmate, who had confronted her previously.
Even now, Emily still couldn't recall her name.
Of course, she had no interest in dwelling on past grievances either—better to avoid unnecessary trouble.
But just as Emily turned to leave, the high school classmate's voice called out behind her, sounding both anxious and delighted. "Emily! Wait a second."
Compared to her previous arrogance, her tone now seemed completely transformed, with polite and humble.
Emily turned around with a frown, her expression neutral. "Yes?"
The next moment, her high school classmate dropped straight to her knees before Emily. "Emily, I've come to apologize! I was completely wrong before. I was so jealous of you that I deliberately caused trouble. I truly regret it now. Please, I'm begging you to forgive me!"
It was usually easy to tell whether someone's apology was sincere or just for show.
Emily stared in astonishment at the woman who had kneeled to her, noticing obvious bruises around her eyes and mouth—clear signs of a recent beating.
She instinctively glanced toward the hotel manager standing at a distance with an uninvolved expression. He immediately raised both hands in innocent protest. "Not me. She already looked like that when she came looking for me."
The kneeling woman covered her face in embarrassment, repeating "I'm sorry" over and over again in different ways.
Emily's heart eventually softened.
The woman hadn't caused her any real harm, and now she was apologizing so abjectly. There was no need to hold a grudge. "It's fine. You can go now. Just don't do this kind of thing again."
The high school classmate excitedly pulled out her phone, and Emily suddenly realized she had been on a call the entire time!
"Honey, did you hear that? Emily forgave me! She doesn't blame me anymore!"
Whatever the man on the other end said made the woman's smile freeze instantly, followed by an expression more painful than crying.
She rose unsteadily to her feet and stumbled out of the hotel, her departing figure somehow tragic.
Only Emily and the hotel manager remained in the office.
Before Emily could speak, the manager displayed a meaningful smile. "So, Emily, are you satisfied with everything today?"
Emily frowned. "What do you mean?"
The manager smiled again. "For such a smart girl, do you really need me to spell everything out?"
Could it be that the classmate's sudden apology was somehow the manager's doing?
Emily didn't believe it, but she saw no reason to challenge him either. She simply offered a light "thank you" and continued, "I came here today about something else I needed to discuss with you."
The manager's lips curled upward.
He seemed almost certain that Emily was about to give in, even preparing himself for her advances.
"Go ahead."
Facing the manager's visibly smug expression, Emily stated clearly and deliberately. "I'm resigning."
The manager's eyes had been crinkled with amusement. "Well, you're certainly a sensible—wait, what did you just say? You're resigning?"
His eyes suddenly widened in shock, like an enraged bull.
Emily gripped her phone defensively, ready to call for help if needed, while repeating her statement. "Yes, I'm resigning. I just came by today to inform you."
In reality, for this kind of job without a formal employment contract, she could have simply walked away.
The only reason she'd bothered coming in person was out of courtesy.
The manager's expression instantly darkened.
From his perspective, Emily was clearly challenging him, mocking him!
Men, when provoked, often lost their rationality.
The hotel manager was no exception. He advanced toward Emily with gritted teeth. "Resign? What do you think this is? You can't just come and go as you please! Forget it—you're not leaving until you've satisfied me properly!"
As he ranted, he began removing his jacket.
The nauseating combination of body odor, bad breath, and what seemed like decades of unwashed clothing hit Emily like a toxic cloud, making her feel instantly sick.
She backed away two steps. The next moment, Daniel kicked open the office door and knocked the manager to the floor with a single punch.
He was about to continue when Emily stopped him. "That's enough, Daniel. Don't give him anything to use against you."
Emily wasn't foolish enough to come alone to resign, knowing the manager had inappropriate intentions toward her.
She had arranged for Daniel to wait outside for her.
The manager sat sprawled on the floor, glaring furiously at Emily and Daniel. "You—you actually dared to hit me! I'm calling the cops! I'll have you charged with assault!"
Emily calmly took out her phone. "Go ahead. I'll call too and report how you sexually harassed me. Let's see who ends up in more trouble."
The manager gradually calmed down.
Taking a deep breath, he was about to say something when Emily preemptively cut him off. "Don't bother claiming there's no evidence. I recorded everything."
She pressed play, and the manager's lecherous voice immediately filled the room.
Daniel's rage, which had barely subsided, flared again. He clenched his fists, his jaw tight with anger.
The manager finally admitted defeat. "Don't call the cops. I won't pursue his actions, okay?"
Looking at the deflated manager, Emily pressed her lips together and mimicked his earlier tone. "For such a smart man, do you really need me to spell everything out?"
The manager was speechless.
In the end, he gave Emily two months' salary as compensation.
After leaving the hotel, Daniel looked at Emily with both worry and pain in his eyes.
"Emily, you're not like me. Why don't you find a more respectable job?"
His question made Emily's throat tighten.
She lowered her eyes slightly, not wanting Daniel to worry about her or recall the painful past involving Alexander. Instead, Emily forced a cheerful tone. "I was just using this as a transitional job! I've already found something better—that's why I'm quitting."
Daniel's lips curved into a curious smile. "Really? What kind of job?"
Emily had no reason to be guarded with Daniel and told him the truth. "A pharmacist at Horizon Pharmaceuticals. I'm finally returning to my old field!"
Daniel's footsteps faltered, and he gave Emily a strange look. "You're going back to pharmaceutical work?"
His tone sounded hesitant, making Emily think he was concerned for her. She waved her hand dismissively. "Don't worry, Daniel. I can handle it!"
Daniel watched Emily walk ahead, finally making up his mind and hurrying after her. "Emily, why don't you move in with me? It would be cheaper than staying at a hotel."