Chapter 50
You can see how powerful public opinion is by looking at how some celebrities on X hit rock bottom in their careers because of a single scandal.
Although she wasn't a public figure and didn't have that kind of influence, as the woman standing beside Alexander, the CEO of a multinational corporation, her every move was bound to be examined under a microscope and blown out of proportion.
She didn't want to come to work every day and hear the Sinclair Group employees quietly gossiping about her private relationship with the CEO.
Who knows what nasty things might reach her ears.
Alexander's displeased questioning voice reached her ears. "Lila, what do you mean? I'm being nice, giving you the privilege of sharing an elevator with me, and now you're acting all high and mighty?"
Seeing how stubborn and insistent he was, Lila knew that Alexander wouldn't let this go unless she made things clear.
Lila met his captivating eyes and spoke boldly. "Let me put it this way—I don't want to be seen too close to you at the company. I'm afraid it might damage your reputation."
"What reputation?"
"Your reputation for being devoted and keeping yourself pure."
Although she'd only been at the Sinclair Group for two days, she'd heard employees discussing him privately.
Everyone knew he and Celeste were once a perfect match, and after Celeste disappeared, no other woman had appeared by his side.
So they'd given him the good name of being "devoted" and "pure."
But even after Lila said all that, Alexander still wouldn't let her off. "Does it matter what other people say? Get in!"
Lila had no choice but to argue her case again. "Boss, have you forgotten? You told me not to tell anyone about our relationship?"
"So?"
"At the company, I'm just a lowly driver, and you're the big CEO. If I go to the employee cafeteria with you, people will suspect that you're so desperate you're having an affair with a driver. Not only would that be bad for your reputation, but I'd also become a target for all those male and female employees who secretly have feelings for you. Please, have mercy and let me go."
The corners of Alexander's lips curved into a mysterious smile. He stepped out of the elevator and without a word, pulled her inside.
As the elevator doors slowly closed, Lila, still in a daze, heard Alexander say something chilling. "If you get targeted by others, that's exactly what I want."
Her nerves instantly tightened.
Her heart sank rapidly.
Lila had thought that Alexander's willingness to personally teach her to drive meant he'd changed his opinion of her.
But in that moment, his words made her feel utterly cold, and she finally understood—Alexander had never thought well of her.
In his mind, she was still that person who would do anything for money, using marriage as a bargaining chip.
Lila stood uneasily in the corner of the elevator, her face showing visible disappointment and hurt.
Alexander glanced at her, catching sight of Lila's wounded expression. Unexpectedly, a hint of sympathy stirred in his heart, but immediately, that feeling of pity was overcome by reason.
She was just a woman his grandmother had forced on him—a scheming woman trying to marry into wealth and climb the social ladder.
Nothing worth sympathizing with.
With the ding of the elevator's arrival, they reached the floor where the employee cafeteria was located.
Alexander stepped out first.
Lila followed slowly behind, head down.
The employee cafeteria was lively.
Everyone had been eating, chatting, and discussing work and life, but then someone spotted Alexander getting off the elevator and called out. "Mr. Sinclair is here."
After that, the noisy employee cafeteria suddenly fell completely silent.