Chapter 37

Chapter 37
Avery wasn't remotely moved by Jason's sudden declaration of feelings.
"So you're admitting that all these rumors circulating around the office were started by you?" Her voice wasn't particularly loud, but it was enough to make nearby coworkers pause their work and turn curious glances in their direction.
"No, you've got it all wrong, I didn't—" Jason's eyes darted around as he attempted to lie his way out.
"Stop lying! We all know you did it!" Susan stepped forward, unable to stomach his deception any longer. "You've been trash-talking Avery since the moment you walked in this morning."
Around them, coworkers began to murmur among themselves.
"Yeah, Jason's the one who told me that Avery and Mr. Ferrari were suspiciously close and implied there was something inappropriate going on."
"Really? He told me Avery wasn't qualified and only got hired because of her connections."
"He even tried to get us female employees to band together and freeze Avery out."
"I knew he was deliberately targeting her—feeding different bits of gossip to everyone so it would spread once we compared notes."
The group grew increasingly indignant, shooting Jason looks of contempt.
"That's not how it happened!" Jason felt furious and cornered. His pride was everything to him, and now his cheeks burned crimson as he fumbled through awkward denials. "I just... misunderstood her situation."
His frustration mounted by the second, darkness clouding his eyes.
He hadn't expected Susan and Avery to publicly call him out like this.
"I only did it because I have feelings for Avery," Jason attempted to put on a sincere face.
But Avery cut him off. "Enough. That's literally the most nauseating excuse I've ever heard. I'd rather not lose my breakfast."
Avery scoffed, "Would you still 'have feelings' if I slapped you across the face? Jerk!"
Before Jason could process her words, Avery stood up and swung her hand, landing a sharp slap across his cheek.
The crisp sound of the impact echoed through the office.
"Have you lost your mind?" Jason clutched his face, staring at Avery in disbelief. The slap left him dizzy and almost knocked him off balance. His cheek throbbed with pain. Was her hand made of steel or something?
The office fell into stunned silence. Everyone was shocked by Avery's sudden action. Who would have guessed that beneath her calm exterior, she could deliver such a fierce slap without so much as blinking?
"Let's be clear, Jason—that wasn't a rejection. It was a warning," Avery rolled her wrist. "If you ever try to smear my reputation again, a slap will be the least of your concerns."
The ice in her eyes made the still-dazed Jason freeze. He'd been about to curse at her, but the words died in his throat.
Susan broke the silence by clapping. "Avery, that was awesome!"
"People who spread lies deserve to be taught a lesson!"
Jason finally recovered from his daze. The public humiliation hit him full force—she had slapped him in front of everyone!
"Who do you think you are, Avery?" Jason roared. "I just admitted I have feelings for you! What's so wrong with that? Is this how you treat every man who has feelings for you?"
Even Susan couldn't let that slide. "Oh, what noble affection!"
She folded her arms, her expression dripping with contempt. "Some people spread nasty rumors, then try to hide behind 'feelings' when they're caught. We call those people spineless losers."
Avery's gaze remained sharp. "You had the nerve to spread rumors about me, so why wouldn't I have the nerve to slap you? Go ahead and report me to the police if you're so brave."
"I'll happily request they pull the security footage so everyone can see exactly who said what."
Susan nodded in agreement. "Exactly. You could easily sue him for defamation—he got off lightly with just a slap!"
At the mention of a lawsuit, Jason visibly panicked. He knew perfectly well that Matteo, their boss, despised office politics and drama. If news of a lawsuit reached Matteo, Jason could kiss his job goodbye.
He swallowed his rage. "Avery, I was wrong. I shouldn't have said those things." His attempt at a smile looked more painful than crying. "I sincerely apologize!"
The others continued to whisper and point.
"What Jason did was way out of line."
"Can't believe he was just making stuff up."
"If Avery hadn't confronted him, her reputation would have been ruined."
Though everyone seemed angry, nobody dared to directly criticize Jason since he was the project leader.
After his apology, Jason couldn't bear the scrutinizing looks from his colleagues. He felt like he'd been stripped naked and put on display. He slunk away with his tail between his legs, not even daring to lift his head.
Avery returned to her desk. "Whether it's Jason or anyone else, if you try to slander me again, I promise you'll pay the price." Her statement made several guilty-looking colleagues suddenly very interested in their computer screens.
Susan gave her a thumbs up. "Avery, you're such a badass!"
"I just refuse to be a doormat," Avery shook her head and returned to her design work. This was her first assignment since joining the company, and she was determined to excel.
Susan looked at her designs with undisguised admiration. "Wow, Avery, you're incredibly talented!"
"She studied the intricate lines of Avery's work. "Jason was telling everyone you lacked skills, but your talent clearly outshines his by miles."
Avery smiled softly. "Thanks." She appreciated both Susan's compliment and her willingness to stand up for her earlier.
"Hey, do you like pastries?" Susan asked enthusiastically. "I've been trying my hand at baking, but I need someone to taste-test for me."
Avery exchanged a smile with her. "I love them, especially anything chocolate."
"Perfect! I'll bring some for you tomorrow!"
Avery hadn't expected to make a new friend at her new workplace.
Later that evening, an exhausted Avery stretched before packing up her things. She headed to the underground parking garage to drive home.
As she approached her car, Jason emerged from behind a parked vehicle, blocking her path.
"Avery, I need to talk to you." He put on a pitiful expression. "What happened today was definitely my fault, but since we're colleagues, could you please not pursue this matter any further?"
Jason couldn't stop thinking about Avery's threat to sue. He suspected she might be deliberately keeping him on edge, making him live in constant fear. His work had been a complete disaster all day because of it!
"As long as you don't bother me again, I won't sue you," Avery looked directly into his eyes. "But if you do, a lawsuit will be just one of many ways I'll make your life miserable."
For some reason, Jason felt there was a deeper meaning behind her final words.
"Of course, I promise," Jason replied quickly. "I truly don't have any ill intentions toward you!"
Avery had no interest in prolonging their conversation. "Move."
She walked around him and opened her car door. Before getting in, she turned to issue one last warning.
"Jason, I hope you remember what you just said." Her eyes locked onto his. "You should have noticed by now that I prefer action over words."
In reality, rather than suing Jason and seeing him spend a few days in jail, she preferred letting people like him reveal their true colors until they had no chance of redemption. If she remembered correctly, Jason was vindictive. He would undoubtedly do something even more foolish.
"I'll remember," Jason said, sweat trickling down his forehead. "I promise I won't bother you again."
However, as soon as Avery's car left the parking garage, Jason's fawning expression instantly transformed into something vicious.
"Bitch. Just you wait. The humiliation I suffered today? I'll pay you back double."