Chapter 35: A Whore to Please Clients
When Evelyn walked out of that suffocating office, the air in the entire design department seemed to freeze. The colleagues who had been whispering in the hallway fell silent the moment she passed by. Their gazes scattered nervously, avoiding her completely. Some pretended to bury their heads in files, while others picked up cups and headed for the pantry, deliberately walking around her.
Evelyn returned to her workstation. She did not need to guess. This was Damian’s masterpiece. He had used his unquestionable authority to issue a warning to everyone: "Stay away from Evelyn, or face the consequences."
It was ridiculous. He trapped her in the cage of marriage on one hand, and isolated her in her professional environment on the other, as if she were some foul smelling garbage.
“Evelyn.” A finger with bright red nail polish tapped on her desk. It was Laura, the design department manager and Sienna’s most loyal lapdog. A professional fake smile was plastered on her face, but her eyes were full of schadenfreude.
“Pack up. Prepare to go out with Mr. Dennis Grady.”
“There’s a case that I think is particularly suitable for you.” Laura slapped a folder onto Evelyn’s desk. “Barry Huffman of Veriel Group. You know him. He is an old veteran in the industry. They have a new project they want to collaborate with us on recently.”
“Mr. Dennis Grady, a company shareholder, takes this project very seriously and will personally attend the meeting tonight.”
Evelyn’s heart sank sharply. Her fingertips grazed the edge of the folder. Barry Huffman of Veriel Group was notoriously difficult, greasy, and lecherous in the industry. And Dennis Grady, one of Omni’s shareholders, a useless man who relied on connections to climb the ladder, was infamous for his opportunistic nature and for carrying out the dirty work of pimping. Putting these two men together was not an opportunity at all, but a blatant trap.
“There are many designers in the company with more seniority than me,” Evelyn said.
“Oh, don’t say that.” Laura waved her hand dramatically. “The CEO said he wants to give you more opportunities for practice. Besides, Mr. Dennis specifically asked you to go with him, saying he really appreciates your talent. This is a huge honor. You should make the most of it.”
She deliberately emphasized the word “CEO,” as if to remind Evelyn whose instruction this all was. After speaking, she sauntered off, leaving behind a triumphant back and a deeper, more oppressive silence in the office area.
That night, in the private room of the high end restaurant, the light from the crystal chandelier was diffused and made ambiguous by the expensive cigar smoke filling the air.
Barry Huffman was a man in his fifties with a receding hairline and a massive beer belly. His gaze on Evelyn was sticky and lecherous.
“I’ve long heard that Mrs. Green is not only President Green’s capable helper at home, but also a talented designer herself,” Barry raised his glass. “Seeing you today, you truly are... quite appealing.”
Evelyn managed a stiff smile. “Mr. Huffman, you flatter me.”
“Oh, don't be so formal!” said Dennis Grady. He had a reasonably handsome face, but the shrewdness and calculation in his eyes made people uncomfortable. He proactively filled Evelyn’s glass. “Come on, Evelyn, it’s rare for Mr. Huffman to appreciate you so much. You must toast him. If this deal closes, your standing in the company will be completely different.”
Evelyn picked up the glass, intending only to take a small sip.
“Oh, Evelyn, that won’t do!” Barry immediately looked displeased. “When I drink with a beautiful woman, I value sincerity.”
Dennis quickly interjected. “Mr. Huffman, please don't mind. Evelyn can't hold her liquor well. How about this, I'll drink this glass for her, and she can drink at her leisure. How does that sound to you?”
With that, he finished the drink with great bravado.
Barry laughed heartily, patting Dennis on the shoulder. “Mr. Grady is much more straightforward! But you know, wine toasted by a beauty always tastes different.”
Over the next rounds, Dennis repeatedly stepped in to drink the liquor Barry offered Evelyn, saying things like, “I’ll take it, I’ll take it. We can’t let our company’s beauty get drunk,” but his hand never stopped refilling Evelyn’s glass. The hard liquors he deflected were always eventually consumed by Evelyn under the pretext of, “This cup is juice, it’s low proof,” or “It’s fine to drink a little, just give Mr. Barry some face.”
After a few rounds, Evelyn’s head began to spin, and her vision became blurry. By the time she realized something was wrong, it was too late.
Barry’s hand, at some point, had rested on the back of her chair. Now, it slid down her shoulder. His greasy palm, carrying a nauseating warmth, stopped on her lower back.
“Miss Evelyn... no, I’ll just call you Evelyn,” Barry leaned closer. “Your designs... are just like you, filling a person with... the desire to explore.” His other hand was now improperly placed on her thigh and was slowly moving upward.
Evelyn stiffened completely, her stomach churning violently. She looked sharply at Dennis, hoping he would intervene. But Dennis seemed oblivious, looking down at his phone, with even a subtle smile on his face.
In that instant, Evelyn understood. Laura’s assignment, Dennis's deflecting the drinks, Barry's appreciation... This was a complete deception, a filthy transaction. They were treating her like a prostitute to be used to please a client!
“Your designs have great spirit,” Barry’s hand had reached her upper thigh. “I wonder... if I might have the chance tonight to more deeply... understand your ‘inner being’? If you take good care of me, the Veriel contract will be signed tomorrow.” That greasy hand even began to undo the side zipper of her dress.
“Get lost!”
Evelyn let out a scream. She grabbed the heavy glass ashtray on the table and, using all her strength, viciously smashed it into Barry’s oily, shiny head!
Bang!
The glass shattered immediately, and crimson liquid streamed down Barry’s stunned face. Barry let out a pig-like shriek and collapsed, clutching his head.
“What the hell is wrong with you!” Dennis leaped up in shock.