Chapter 57 Poisonous Tongue
WHAT to save and what to sacrifice? Why is it so hard to choose? Why does she have to choose between happiness and security? Why does she have to be trapped in a situation like this? What did she do in her past life to deserve this? Was she a sinner just like in this life time?
Lena remained sitting on the toilet bowl, wiping her cheeks. Her eyes were swollen from crying. Her throat felt dry. Her nose hurt. But she endured everything.
The door of the rest room opened suddenly. The sharp tap of two pairs of heels broke the cold silence. Two women entered, chatting in hushed voices. They didn't notice anyone else was inside and it's not like they even care.
"...I swear it's her," one said, the voice sharp. "I remembered this morning. Lena Mendoza. Such a cheap name, right? Just like her."
Lena was stunned. Her breathing hitched, the realization of the two women outside the cubicle suddenly scared her.
Her companion let out a sarcastic chuckle. "That's why she looked familiar. It's the famous Danilo Mendoza, right? Her husband."
Lena's blood ran cold as her chest tightened.
"Yes. She's the widow. The one accused of murdering her husband a few months ago," the other woman answered like it was something to laugh about. "It was all over the news back then. He died under suspicious circumstances, and everyone said that his wife did it."
The second woman gave a nervous laugh. "Gosh! Did the company hire a murderer?"
Lena shut her eyes tight. She wanted to go out and inform the two women about her presence, but she couldn't move her feet. She couldn't even pull herself to stand.
"Well, it was said that she was acquitted. They couldn't convict her because Attorney Viktor Moretti intervened. He practically erased the scandal. Used his influence to silence witnesses, bury evidence, whatever it took. And now she lives with him. Some even say she's getting married to him."
Lena pressed her hands against her mouth, as her lips trembled under her touch. She wanted to vanish into the wall. The familiar shame, being called a murderer wrapped around her like chains. It was killing her, slow and painful.
"Are you serious?" The woman laughed. "Viktor Moretti never get married again after his wife. I don't think he will marry again this time. Besides, he's too old."
The other woman laughed too. "Girl, it's Viktor Moretti. An excellent lawyer, a billioniaire. Lena Mendoza is aiming higher Of course, she could stomach having sex with an old man for wealth."
"What a slut!" The word was too sharp for Lena. It cut through her soul.
"And I really think that dirty murderer is seducing our boss. " That made Lena still again. Her brows furrowed. What?
A gasp echoed loudly. "Mr. Terrence Blackwood? Are you serious?"
"Didn't you see how Mr. Blackwood looked at her? While Miss Winnie is on sick leave, Lena became her substitute. And since then, Mr. Blackwood had been staring at her from his office," the woman said, not too loud, but enough for Lena to hear clearly. "She's clever, I'll give her that. From a husband murderer, to Viktor Moretti's bedwarmer, and now, she's seducing Mr. Blackwood. She's playing her cards well. I envy her confidence."
"Oh my!" Another gasp and it sounded disgusted. "She really is a slut. I heard the lobby recepionist talking about her this morning. They mentioned about Lucian Moretti who visited Lena yesterday with a little girl that looked exactly like Lena."
Lena sucked her breath. Lena shook her head as she forced herself up.
"Really? The girl is probably Danilo's daughter. Poor girl, her mommy is a certified slut." They both laugh
Their voices echoed cruelly in the tiled chamber. They shouldn't have involved her daughter into this.
Her nails dug into her palms so hard it hurt, but the physical pain was nothing compared to the ache in her chest because of those judgment and accusations.
They don't know her. They don't know anything. She will not let this slide because they dragged her daughter.
Lena was about to open the door of the cubicle when she heard the door of the restroom slammed. Then another voice cut through the thick air.
"What did you say?" A familiar voice. Lena's lips parted. She knew that voice. Clara.
The women fell silent.
"What are you saying about Lena?" Clara demanded, her tone sharp and protective, like she was the one who was disrespected. "Do you realize how filthy your accusations are about her? Do you think it's funny?"
Lena didn't hear an answer, so she opened the door of the cubicle but they were already gone. The two women walked out without answering Clara, but Clara followed them angrily.
Lena walked faster, trying to catch up with them.
"Not so fast," Clara said, following them, her face contorted with anger. "You don't get to poison someone's name and run."
Lena was almost running, panicking. "Clara, wait-"
But Clara ignored her, chasing the two women in the hallway.
"Clara, stop!" Lena called, but her voice cracked. Her throat is still sore from crying.
"Don't touch me!" The woman pushed Clara's hand when the latter stopped her. "I was just telling the truth. Your friend Lena Mendoza is a complete slut. She killed her ex-husband, slept with Viktor Moretti, and now seducing Mr. Blackwood."
"Are you out of your mind?" Clara snapped. "Spreading lies about Lena and Mr. Blackwood? Didn't you realize how unprofessional that was?"
The woman laughed, crossing her arms. "Are you seriously talking about professionalism? Your friend is seducing our boss. Is that even professional to you?"
Lena froze, not because of the accusations and the heaviness the words carried, but because of Terrence Blackwood. He was there, standing behind the two women with an unreadable expression on his face.
She swallowed hard, unable to think of anything but the coldness in his eyes.
The CEO stood tall in his dark suit, his commanding presence filling the hallway like a storm ready to ruin. His sharp eyes were fixed on the three women arguing in the hallway.
The employees around stiffened under his gaze, their nervousness plain.
"What..." Mr. Blackwood trailed, his voice deep and cutting as he walked towards them. "...is going on here?"
The first woman stammered, sweat formed at her temples as she slowly turned and paled when Mr. Blackwood stopped in front of her.
The woman immediately shook her head. "N-Nothing, sir. Just-It's just a misunderstanding."
Clara folded her arms, her chin lifted defiantly while smirking. "Not nothing. They've been spreading lies about Lena and you Mr. Blackwood."
Lena swallowed hard, and immediately averted her gaze when Mr. Blackwood glanced at her direction.
Mr. Blackwood's gaze sharpened, his brows furrowed, eyes dropping again to the two employees. "Lies?"
The first woman shook her head, panicking and reckless. "S-Sir, we only said what everyone else was thinking! It is true that Lena has been trying to seduce you. We know. I-I can feel it-"
Mr. Blackwood let out a dangerous laugh. "You dare to insult my employee in my building with such vile rumors? and drag my name into your filthy gossip?"
The women flinched, bowing their heads.
His words rang out like a slap, sharp and painful. The corridor went silent. Mr. Blackwood's glare could have burned through stone.
The first woman's eyes filled with tears as she looked at him. "S-Sir, we didn't mean-"
"You meant exactly what you said," Mr. Blackwood cut her off, his tone was like a poison. "And now you'll face the consequences."
"How long have you been working here?" Mr. Blackwood asked, a dark aura surrounding him.
Lena shook her head. She has a bad feeling about this. She feels like...
"S-Six months-"
"That's the extent of your service," Mr. Blackwood declared, cutting the woman off. "Effective immediately. Collect your things and leave the building. Security will escort you."