Chapter 112
When Veda walked over, she deliberately spoke loudly, making sure all the nearby colleagues could hear, so that everyone would know Sophia was living a messy life.
Sophia's face went pale. She looked up and glared at Veda with anger.
"Veda, do you even think before you speak? Did you see me with some man with your own eyes?"
Veda now had a scornful look on her face, glancing at Sophia with disdain. As she looked her up and down, her eyes were full of disgust.
"Sophia, just look at yourself right now. Do I need to see it with my own eyes? Look how wrinkled your clothes are. Did you not have time to change after spending the night with a man?"
Sophia looked down at her clothes. Since she had stayed at James's place last night, she hadn't had a chance to change into pajamas.
She had fallen asleep in a daze last night, so she was still wearing her regular clothes. Now they were full of wrinkles and she did look pretty disheveled.
But so what? What did that prove? Still, Sophia couldn't be bothered to explain to Veda. What did her business have to do with her anyway?
"Veda, why are you so interested in my private life first thing in the morning? Are you jealous? Could it be that no man likes you, so you hate me for it? But I'm naturally beautiful and men just like me. My personal charm is just stronger than yours. What can you do about it?"
Hearing this, Veda was stunned for a moment. She didn't expect Sophia to say something so bold, especially in front of so many colleagues.
She pointed her finger at Sophia's nose.
"Sophia, you're a girl - have you no shame? You say these things like it's perfectly normal, messing around with men outside, not ashamed but proud of it, and saying it in front of so many company employees. Aren't you afraid of embarrassing Dad?"
"After all, Dad is the company's CEO. Isn't what you're saying way out of line?"
Sophia let out a scornful laugh.
"Even if Mr. Brown is embarrassed by this, it's because of you. I was sitting here working just fine, and you came over to bring up such private topics with me. Are you deliberately trying to embarrass Mr. Brown?"
Sophia never called Hayden "Dad" at the company. Although she knew that if her colleagues knew she was Hayden's daughter, they would definitely show her more respect.
But Sophia felt that working at the company should be about ability first, and she didn't want to rely on Hayden's position.
As soon as Sophia finished speaking, Veda looked furious.
"Sophia, how can you say that? Everyone at the Brown Group knows I have deep feelings for Father. How could I bear to make Father angry?"
Just as the two were arguing, they heard firm footsteps behind them. Hayden stood in front of them with a dark expression.
"What's going on with you two? Making all this noise first thing in the morning - this is a company, not a place for you two to throw tantrums."
When Veda saw Hayden arrive, she immediately put on a sweet and obedient act, walking over to him and taking his arm.
Her voice became affected as she spoke while shaking Hayden's arm, acting all delicate and charming.
"Dad, look at Sophia. It's already so late and she's just now coming to work. I just kindly reminded her not to do this in the future, and she started talking back to me."
"After all, I'm her older sister. I was just giving her friendly advice. Even though she's your daughter, Dad, she can't be too casual at her own family's company. After all, so many employees are watching - it looks bad."
Hayden was someone who valued rules and principles. Plus, he'd been trying to work with the Smith Group lately without success, so he was already irritated.
Now hearing that Sophia was using her status as his daughter to run wild at the company, he became furious.
"Sophia, didn't you tell me before that you absolutely wouldn't reveal your identity as my daughter at the company? Even though everyone at the company now knows you're my younger daughter, you can't abuse that power like this."
"You're late every day. If I turn a blind eye to it, how can I establish authority with the other employees? Besides, if even you can be late whenever you want, how am I supposed to manage other employees when they're late?"
Sophia looked at the two people in front of her and felt inexplicably annoyed. She had never hoped to receive Hayden's love - after all, he held no weight in her heart. If he ever pretended to care about her, she'd find it disgusting.
But even though she didn't expect fatherly love from Hayden, that didn't mean she would let him insult her.
"I was late today, and that's my fault. But I won't accept insults from anyone, even if that person is my biological father."
Sophia saying this in front of so many people shocked Hayden.
His body trembled as he looked at Sophia in disbelief.
"Say that again if you dare. What do you mean by insult? When did I insult you?"
Hayden took a deep breath, thinking Sophia was beyond hope. Just thinking about how she dared to talk back to him in front of everyone made him furious.
He snorted coldly, staring at Sophia with an icy expression, wanting to slap this disobedient daughter right then and there.
"Sophia, you have no respect for your elders, do you? Fine, then I'll handle this officially. Since you were late today, you won't get your bonus this month."
Normally, Sophia had closed a big deal for Hayden this month, and he should have given her a substantial commission.
But now, from what he was saying, not only was there no commission, but her monthly bonus was being deducted too.
So all her hard work at the Brown Group every month, dealing with more stress than other employees, would only earn her an intern's salary?
Sophia glanced at him. The only reason she worked at the Brown Group was to save money - for her living expenses and Mia's medical bills.
If she had to endure all this humiliation without getting paid, there was no point in staying.
Sophia thought for a moment and spoke directly.
"Mr. Brown, since you're so impartial with rewards and punishments, let me ask you - when Veda is late to the company, how come I've never seen you punish her?"