Chapter 55

Chapter 55

I headed straight to the cafeteria, got my food, and sat alone by the window to eat quietly.

While eating, I was a bit lost in thought and didn't notice when a crowd had gathered at the cafeteria entrance.

"You're Anna, right?"

Just then, a sharp, angry female voice cut in.

I looked up to see a very pretty girl emerge from the crowd, walking toward me with disdain on her face.

She's here to cause trouble!

That was the first thought that popped into my head.

But since I couldn't figure out what she wanted, I just swallowed my food and asked softly, "Yes, I am. And you are?"

"So it really is you!"

The pretty girl's face darkened as she raised her voice and snapped, "Wasn't stealing my best friend's man enough for you? Now you're going after mine too? Who gave you the nerve! How can you be so shameless? Can't survive without a man, is that it?"

Her words caused an uproar.

Whispers rose all around.

"I knew it! She's so young, how else could she become Mr. Phillips's secretary? Turns out she used her looks!"

"She looks so pretty, but she's actually a shameless homewrecker."

"I heard she even knows Mr. Phillips's friends. She probably specializes in seducing rich men."

These comments were full of malice, but I kept smiling.

I calmly met the pretty girl's angry gaze and said softly, "You've got the wrong person. I don't know your man."

"How is that possible? It's definitely you! First you stole my friend's man, now you're stealing my man, Hannah's man!"

That's when I figured out who she was.

She was Hannah Nguyen, daughter of the Nguyen family.

I studied her face without showing any emotion.

I'd actually seen Hannah once before, but she looked quite different from my memory, so I didn't recognize her right away.

Still, I'd heard about how she operated.

She was known for being arrogant and domineering.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Nguyen, but who exactly is this man you're talking about?"

I asked calmly, ignoring Hannah's look that was angry enough to eat me alive.

My attitude made Hannah furious. She stomped her foot hard, her voice shrill and piercing.

"Who else could it be? Henry, of course! He's my fiancé, you homewrecker! You're even going after someone's fiancé? Have you no shame? Do you just love being a mistress that much?"

I put down my utensils and sighed.

"Ms. Nguyen, you've misunderstood. I'm just Mr. Phillips's assistant, not what you're thinking."

"Still trying to make excuses?"

Hannah scoffed, "None of Henry's assistants have lasted more than half a month, but you've been working here for over a month. You must have done something shady to please Henry and make him keep you around."

She said this with complete confidence.

I felt especially helpless.

I'm just trying to work here. Who did I offend?

Hannah continued staring at me arrogantly, as if she wouldn't let me off unless I gave her an explanation.

I sighed, "Ms. Nguyen, there's a problem with what you're saying. The others were fired within half a month because they weren't good at their jobs. The fact that I'm still here proves that I'm capable enough, doesn't it?"

My gaze swept over the faces of the people behind her.

It seemed Hannah had heard some gossip, which was why she'd rushed over to confront me.

"You're capable? You?"

Hannah laughed mockingly, "His father arranged people for him that he didn't like. How could Henry possibly like you? How old are you? Can you really be better than the people his father arranged?"

Hearing her call him "Henry" over and over, I smiled faintly, "Mr. Phillips doesn't like anything his family arranges for him. Ms. Nguyen should know that very well."

She picked a fight with me in public to embarrass me—I wasn't nice enough to just let it go.

Hannah's pretty face paled slightly, but then her displeasure returned.

She stared at me hard, "Are you threatening me?"

Why would I threaten her for no reason?

I just wanted her to know that I'm not someone to be messed with either.

I shook my head, "Mr. Phillips wants to start his own business, so naturally he won't accept his family's arrangements and help. But if Mr. Phillips's career takes off in the future, your status will rise with it too."

How unlucky. I just came here to work, and now I have to help soothe the boss's fiancée.

These words clearly pleased Hannah, and her expression softened a bit.

Even so, she had no intention of letting me off.

"Even if Henry's business gets better, I can help. But you? You're up to no good. Get lost right now! Worst case, I'll help out myself!"

"I'd be grateful if you just didn't make things worse for me."

Before I could respond, a lazy voice cut in.

"Henry."

Hannah turned around.

I followed her gaze.

Henry walked out from the crowd with his hands in his pockets, looking relaxed.

He squinted slightly, looking Hannah up and down.

"Didn't I tell you to stay home and behave? Why are you at my company again, bossing people around? Don't forget you haven't married me yet."

His words showed absolutely no consideration for Hannah's dignity.

Hannah's face looked terrible.

But that had nothing to do with me. I kept my head down and quietly continued eating.

Henry had walked up to Hannah.

He stared at her with a half-smile, "Did my father send you this time? Or my mom? My brother?"

Hannah's face went pale as she shook her head hard, "No, no, they didn't send me. I came on my own."

Henry was amused by her words, "You're really joking! Everyone knows you hate dealing with company matters. Why would you make a special trip to help me today?"

"I..."

"Alright, alright, I'm begging you, just go. Don't interrupt my employee's lunch. She still has to work this afternoon and make money for me."

Hannah's eyes widened, "Why can she stay but not me? I'm your fiancée, the daughter of the Nguyen family. How am I not as good as her?"

I sat in the corner, innocently touching my nose.

This was ridiculous.

I hadn't done anything, yet I was getting dragged into this.

Hannah was clearly getting on Henry's nerves, "Fine, fine, you're the best. I can't accommodate someone as important as you here. Just go home and have fun!"

But Hannah just stood there, refusing to leave.

Henry couldn't do anything about Hannah, and the atmosphere grew tense.

Their eyes fell on me at the same time.

It looked like I wouldn't be able to finish this meal.

I sighed, put down my utensils, and said softly, "Ms. Nguyen, I'm already married."

"Married and you still... wait, you're married?"

Hannah stopped mid-sentence, suddenly realizing what I'd said.

She stared at me in disbelief, "You're not... you..."

I nodded, "I don't know who this friend of yours is, but I am indeed married."

Henry breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Hannah, "You hear that? She's not only married, but happily so. Their relationship is great! Her husband even came to pick her up from work a few days ago!"