Marlon sounded super hyped on the phone.
But Emily, who had just stepped out of Patrick's office, couldn't care less. All she wanted was to wrap up this project and get the heck out of Rivera Group. The place that once fueled her dreams now felt like a suffocating prison.
"Hey Marlon, I'm really wiped out today. Can we chat tomorrow?" Emily said, trying to sound polite.
Marlon paused for a moment. "Alright, get some rest. Just call me back when you're feeling better, okay?"
"Sure thing," Emily replied, hanging up and slumping into her office chair, looking completely drained. She thought, 'What now? If I leave Rivera Group, where do I even go?'
Before she could dwell on it, her phone buzzed again. It was the rehab center where Lisa was staying.
"Hello, are you Lisa's family member?" a calm, serious voice asked.
"Yes, I'm her daughter," Emily replied, a bit uneasy.
"We found some prohibited items in Lisa's care packages. We need you to come over ASAP to sort this out," the voice continued.
Emily's heart sank. Prohibited items? Lisa had gone there voluntarily this time, so how could this happen? She didn't have time to ponder it. She grabbed her coat, ready to head to the rehab center.
Just as she was about to leave, Shirley barged into her office, blocking her way.
"Emily, long time no see. Miss me?" Shirley smirked.
Emily had zero patience for Shirley right now. "Didn't I hit you hard enough last time? Or did you not learn your lesson?" she said calmly.
"Emily, why so harsh? Seems like the cops didn't punish you enough. You're such a slut!" Shirley spat out, glaring at her.
"Cut the crap, Shirley. I have things to do and no time for your drama," Emily snapped, trying to leave.
"Hold on, Emily. Don't you wanna know what happened while you were on vacation?" Shirley continued, ignoring Emily's attempt to leave.
"The HR department reached out to me. The board thinks I've been doing great and wants me to lead the secretarial team!" Shirley boasted. "I have to thank Patrick for that. If he hadn't tutored me day and night, I wouldn't have made it!"
Emily frowned, finding it hard to believe. Despite Shirley's degree from the pay-to-enter Evergreen University, she not only got into the company but was now aiming for a team leader position. How could the board be so lenient with her?
Though it seemed unbelievable, considering Patrick's favoritism towards Shirley, it wasn't entirely out of the question.
"And what does that have to do with me?" Emily asked, staying calm.
"Emily, you're such a hypocrite! You've always looked down on me, don't think I don't know," Shirley said, stepping closer.
"Don't be so self-righteous. We're actually the same kind of people," Shirley whispered in Emily's ear. "Don't think I don't know how you became a team leader before! Just by climbing into Patrick's bed!"
Emily stayed silent, and Shirley continued, "It's a pity that in Patrick's eyes, I'm the one he sees, and you're just like a disposable toothpick after a meal. Patrick will use you when he wants and toss you aside when he doesn't."
Emily didn't have time for this nonsense. She needed to get to the rehab center, and she needed to go now.
But Shirley wasn't done. She spun around and blocked Emily's path again.
"Emily, remember Gordon? That wasn't enough for you, huh? I wonder if Lisa liked my little gift this time?" Shirley sneered.
Emily's face darkened. "Did you put those prohibited items in Lisa's stuff?"
Shirley smirked. "Caught on, did you? Too bad, I wanted Lisa to really enjoy it. I just love seeing you suffer. But if you try anything against me again, Patrick won't let you off the hook!"
Mentioning Patrick, a flicker of pain crossed Emily's eyes. Everything that had happened made her believe Shirley might be right.
"Shirley, remember that this is the last time I'm putting up with your crap," Emily said through gritted teeth, her voice firm.
"Oh, I have a terrible memory! Whether there's a next time depends on you," Shirley replied nonchalantly.
Emily let out a cold laugh, turned, and tried to leave.
But Shirley wasn't done. She rushed to block Emily's way again.
"The show's just getting started, you can't leave now!" Shirley said with a sinister grin.
Before Emily could react, Shirley shoved her hard. Emily instinctively grabbed at Shirley, who dodged, causing a wooden stand by the door to topple over.
The office Emily was in was supposed to be a conference room, but it wasn't in use. The loud crash drew attention from the actual conference room nearby.
Patrick frowned, and the Vice President, Steven Harris, quickly went to check. He saw the fallen stand, Shirley on the ground, and a startled Emily.
"Mr. Harris," Shirley wailed louder when she saw Steven.
Steven, having seen all kinds of office drama, could see through Shirley's act. But her relationship with Patrick, made the situation tricky.
As Steven pondered how to report this to Patrick, Patrick himself appeared. Seeing Shirley on the ground, he rushed over. "What happened? Are you hurt?"
Shirley, with tears in her eyes, said, "Patrick, I made Emily mad, and I didn't expect her to..."
"What did I do?" Emily snapped.
Shirley pretended to be scared and leaned into Patrick. He gently touched her face. "Shirley, don't be afraid, it's okay."
Then he turned to Emily, his face stern. "Look at the mess you've caused!"
Emily had no interest in explaining or watching Shirley's performance. She needed to get to the rehab center.
"She fell on her own. Mr. Rivera, if you don't believe me, check the surveillance footage." With that, Emily walked out.
"Emily, how dare you talk to me like that," Patrick called after her, but Shirley tugged on his coat.
Ignoring Patrick's calls, Emily left. She had more important things to deal with.
Patrick, torn between anger and concern, heard Shirley's weak voice beside him. "Patrick, my foot hurts so much, I can't walk!"
Patrick looked down the corridor where Emily had disappeared, feeling a pang of loss.