Chapter 36
The bright smile on Evelyn's face and her confident demeanor were backed by hundreds of millions in family assets - how could ordinary people compare?
"Hiring Matthew, is that such a big deal?"
Her casual everyday life was something the people present could only dream of achieving in their lifetime.
And that radiant smile, in Fallon's eyes, looked more like provocation and contempt.
"Being controlled by others, yet still so pleased with yourself!" Fallon's eyes were full of resentment. "You're using the Thomas family to suppress Mr. Thomas now, but how do you know he won't get revenge later!"
A flash of obvious fear and unease crossed everyone's eyes, and they instinctively kept their distance from her.
In everyone's eyes, Matthew was the distinguished young master of the Thomas family, but his relationship with Evelyn was quite delicate.
Everyone knew that Evelyn liked him, and as the only bloodline of the Thomas family, being together would be hugely beneficial for him.
Yet Matthew rejected her advances.
Some praised him for having a backbone and not relying on women, while others mocked him for being foolish.
Plus, the online rumors from a while back made people's imaginations run wild.
But Fallon, new to the workplace, hadn't figured out the complex reasons behind all this. Instead, she looked at them with an indignant and confused expression.
"What do you mean? Weren't you just saying that a bossy rich girl like Evelyn could never truly be liked by Mr. Thomas? At most, Mr. Thomas is just using her as a stepping stone!"
The faces of the few people who had been chatting with her in the break room all changed.
"How could we say such things?"
"Exactly, the Thomas family has been so good to Mr. Thomas. He's grateful - how could he possibly do something like that?"
Their righteous explanations completely buried the conspiracy theories they'd been laughing about in the break room just moments ago.
Fallon's face no longer showed the earlier embarrassment, but an expression of confusion.
Evelyn narrowed her eyes slightly, a cold glint flashing through them.
Truth really does hurt.
If it were her past life self, she would probably...
She pulled at her red lips, instead showing a look of sudden realization.
"That makes sense. Why didn't I think of that before? The Thomas family only has the obligation of having adopted Matthew. In the end, he might very well kick me out of the Thomas family for money."
Fallon: Didn't they say Matthew liked Evelyn the most?
Everyone: Is Evelyn being sarcastic?
Under everyone's puzzled gazes, Evelyn walked toward Fallon and said seriously, "If you hadn't enlightened me, I'd probably still be waiting for him to give me a wealthy life. So I need to be independent and strong. You're so capable - want to consider being in a group with me?"
Meeting Fallon's confused and puzzled eyes, Evelyn suddenly leaned in close and said in a voice only they could hear: "Are you sure your colleagues are still trustworthy?"
Fallon was young and lacked social experience, but she was sharp.
She immediately understood - everyone distancing themselves from her earlier was them drawing a clear line.
Plus, she'd basically offended Evelyn today, so Harry would likely make things difficult for her at work next.
Rather than being troubled by others, she might as well team up with someone of a higher rank - at least she could use that connection.
"Okay, I'll be in a group with you."
Evelyn smiled and turned to Harry: "Mr. Brooks, then it's settled that I'll stay in the marketing department to continue pushing this project forward."
She glanced at the ID badge on Fallon's chest, her smile deepening: "Have Fallon show me around."
Harry was shrewd enough - he hadn't rushed to take a stance earlier, and now he didn't make any move to stop it. Instead, he nodded along with her arrangement.
"Fallon is about your age. You two should work well together."
"Then it's settled. Let's go."
Evelyn smiled at Fallon and turned to leave.
A chill ran down Fallon's back. She had a feeling this choice wasn't so great after all.
After they left, the remaining few exchanged glances, all looking relieved.
"What are you standing around for?" Harry's tone wasn't harsh, but carried natural leadership authority. "Get back to work. Watch what you say - don't go running your mouth about everything."
People are often extremely rebellious.
The more you tell them not to talk, the faster things spread.
When Fallon followed Evelyn out of the marketing department, her face still showed panic and unease. For a moment, she didn't notice that Evelyn had stopped.
If she hadn't been following at Evelyn's side and slightly behind, she would have walked straight into her!
"Why did you suddenly stop?"
Fallon really had no filter.
Could someone like Fallon in the marketing department really avoid offending clients?
Several thoughts flashed through Evelyn's mind, but her face showed no emotion: "Do you have a personal relationship with Matthew?"
"No! How could someone like me possibly know him?"
Fallon's denial came out like a rehearsed line, without any thought.
But the flash of panic in Fallon's eyes was caught clearly by Evelyn.
"Saying you don't know him is a bit much, isn't it? He usually manages the marketing department. He shows up at least three days a week. If he doesn't know you... Is he face-blind or pretending?"
Evelyn's words were calm, but her eyes, watching Fallon's face carefully, noted the subtle changes in her expression.
It wasn't that Evelyn thought Matthew and Fallon had some inappropriate relationship, but she felt there was something off about how Fallon mentioned Matthew.
There was a young girl's bashfulness, but no intimate sweetness. It was more like...
"He's my direct senior from school. We participated in activities together on campus." Fallon bit her lip and told the truth.
"You graduated from Aurora College."
Evelyn nodded slightly, not dwelling on the question: "Graduated from a top school - then work hard. Don't use your job as a stepping stone to chase after men."
This time Fallon didn't talk back.
Had Evelyn hit a nerve?
That scumbag Matthew was still quite popular with girls.
Evelyn immediately changed the subject: "Can you drive?"
"Yes."
She tossed the car keys to Fallon: "To the construction site."
"You're going to do a site inspection?" No wonder Fallon was surprised - in her eyes, Evelyn was the standard socialite. How could she go to a place full of dust?
But what happened next shocked her.
Evelyn clearly wasn't visiting the southern suburbs for the first time. She skillfully observed the surroundings, calculating something on her phone from time to time.
"Designing an estate requires following the terrain - it's not just simple length and width. You get it?" Fallon no longer had her earlier mockery, but her attitude was still stiff.
Evelyn didn't mind Fallon's words and continued calculating and recording on her phone: "Design is naturally for professionals to do. Our focus is on demolition and relocation."
As she spoke, she frowned and sighed: "Benjamin giving me this job - is he making things difficult for me, or training me?"