Chapter 57 Small Group
Before going to the company, Sophie checked herself in the mirror several more times.
Her eyes were a bit swollen. She deliberately applied extra concealer and put on a pair of large sunglasses to make herself look more refreshed.
She had no choice. Ever since she messed up that contract, a bunch of people at the company couldn't stand her.
If they saw her with swollen eyes looking all worn out, who knows what kind of sarcastic remarks they'd make!
When she walked into the Brand Strategy Department, several female colleagues who usually got along well with her immediately gathered around.
"Morning, Director Smith!" someone said with a grin. "I heard Mr. Grant went to process the divorce yesterday! So your big day is coming soon, right?"
Another colleague chimed in. "Yeah, Director Smith, when are you treating us to the wedding banquet? The position of Mrs. Grant should finally be yours, right?"
"Sophie, have you decided where to go for your honeymoon? Maldives or Bali? Mr. Grant spoils you so much, he'll definitely take you to the most luxurious place!"
"Don't forget to bring us gifts when the time comes!"
The congratulations came from all directions. Normally, she would have been thrilled.
But now, every sentence, every word, sounded like mockery.
Her hand tightened around her purse, and she felt so embarrassed she wanted to find a hole to crawl into!
"Stop talking," her voice was a bit hoarse.
Her colleagues didn't hear clearly and kept going, "Is Director Smith feeling shy? Your face is all red."
Laughter filled the air.
Sophie's head buzzed. "I told you to stop talking! You don't know anything and you're just running your mouths! What are you all standing around here for? Don't you have work to do?"
The department instantly fell silent.
Everyone was stunned.
Being yelled at out of nowhere, their first reaction wasn't even anger, but confusion about what had happened.
After all, Sophie had never lost her composure like this in front of them before.
She stared at those colleagues, her voice trembling. "Do you all think I'm a joke? Are you all laughing at me behind my back, that in the end I'd actually lose to that Aria!"
The colleagues looked at each other, no one daring to speak.
After Sophie's outburst, seeing their frightened faces, she snapped back to reality and her voice softened.
"I'm sorry, I... I shouldn't have yelled at you. I'm just too upset..."
By the end, her voice carried a sob. She covered her face, her shoulders shaking.
One of her close colleagues walked over and patted her shoulder. "Director Smith, what's wrong?"
"Yeah, what happened? Don't cry."
"Whatever it is, tell us, we'll help you."
Everyone handed her tissues and comforted her with kind words, finally managing to calm Sophie down a bit.
Sophie lifted her tear-stained face and said between sobs. "They didn't get divorced yesterday."
"His mother got sick and was hospitalized, right when they were about to process the paperwork."
"What?" The colleagues looked at each other in surprise.
"And..." Sophie sniffled, "Aria is also at the hospital, saying she got hurt from a fall. Arthur is with her all day now, he barely even answers my calls."
As she spoke, tears fell again. "I know I shouldn't be so jealous. His mother is sick, of course he should take care of her."
"But... but I just feel so awful..."
These words were really embarrassing to say, but she also knew this couldn't be hidden.
Rather than being mocked later, she might as well say it now.
Those female colleagues who were close to her immediately gathered around to comfort her.
"Director Smith, don't cry. How could this be your fault?"
"Exactly, it's clearly that Aria who has no shame. I don't believe it's such a coincidence. It must be her scheme."
"I think she did it on purpose! She didn't fall earlier or later, but right before the divorce. Isn't it obvious she doesn't want the divorce?"
"Director Smith, don't worry. The position of Mrs. Grant will definitely be yours. What is that Aria anyway? No family background, no abilities, how could she be worthy of Mr. Grant?"
"That's right, Mr. Grant just feels sorry for her. Once his mother gets better, he'll definitely process the paperwork right away!"
One after another, they all spoke up for Sophie.
Listening to these comforting words, Sophie wiped the corners of her eyes and forced a smile. "Thank you all. I'm fine now. I was too emotional just now, I'm sorry."
"It's okay, we all understand."
"Director Smith, go touch up your makeup. Your eyes are all swollen from crying. You must not have slept well last night."
Sophie nodded and walked into her office with her bag.
Closing the door, she walked to the mirror and looked at her tear-stained face in the reflection.
Then, she curved her lips into a smile.
Taking out her phone, she sent a message to that number.
[Remember, take it slow. Don't make anyone suspicious.]
The reply came back. [Don't worry, I'm best at this kind of thing.]
-
At the hospital, Arthur went to Elizabeth's room early in the morning and found her awake but still tubed and unable to move freely.
Arthur stayed with her for a while and chatted, then went to see Aria.
By the time he got to her, it was already noon, and she had just woken up.
This surprised Arthur a bit.
He said with a smile. "I really don't know if what I brought is lunch or breakfast."
Aria wrinkled her nose. "What did you bring?"
Arthur didn't say anything. He just put the food container on the metal cabinet and unscrewed the lid. The smell of chicken soup immediately wafted out.
Seeing Aria looking a bit dazed, Arthur explained. "I saw a Chinese restaurant nearby. They say this soup is good for recovery after an injury, so I got you some. Try it and see how it tastes."
Aria took a sip and frowned.
"Doesn't taste good?"
"The taste is a bit... a bit strange, such a heavy meat flavor."
After drinking the whole bowl, at the bottom were two pieces of bone with meat on them.
Somehow, looking at those grayish meat bones with dark residue on the outside, she was oddly reminded of zombies eating people in horror movies.
Just then, she burped, and the meaty smell mixed with greasiness surged up. She really couldn't hold it back. Her throat convulsed, and she threw up all over the floor.
Arthur immediately stood up and patted her back, watching as she vomited until her eyes turned red and her cheek muscles twitched.
"Next time if it doesn't suit your taste, don't drink it." He frowned. "I don't remember you being this picky before."
After Aria finished vomiting, he handed her a tissue. She wiped her mouth and couldn't help but reply. "You still remember what I was like before?"
Arthur was stumped.
Yes, what was Aria like before? He seemed to have never paid attention. In these three years of marriage, he rarely interacted with her anyway, so all she left him with were scattered, photograph-like memories.
He only knew she was his wife, occasionally used to satisfy physical needs, and as for anything else... it seemed she only liked sweets, but not too sweet, and beyond that, there was nothing more.
He felt a bit ashamed.