Chapter 550
In the end, Lola slunk away, humiliated, after the entire gaming department called her out.
The matter fizzled out without any real consequences.
“Gwyn, don’t let people like that bother you. Everyone can see how good you are,” someone reassured her.
Except for the one person Yvette had planted in the gaming department to report back to her, every colleague stood firmly by Gwyneth’s side.
Naturally, Yvette got wind of the outcome almost immediately. She was furious, but there was nothing she could do about Gwyneth.
That evening, the gaming team organized a dinner. The manager booked a private room at Savory Grace, a trendy fusion restaurant, and of course, Gwyneth was invited.
She let Hans know in advance. He told her to text him when they wrapped up so he could pick her up.
From the look of things, Hans wasn’t remotely interested in helping Hawthorne keep up appearances. It made sense-Hawthorne was the CEO, and only he and Gwyneth knew the real reason she joined the company. He didn’t owe anyone an explanation.
Even though Gwyneth hadn’t been at the company long, no one saw her as someone who’d gotten in through connections or favoritism. She had quickly won people over with her abilities and work ethic.
The whole incident with Lola had caused quite a stir in the company. But everyone knew the truth: Miss Yvette was jealous and resentful of the new girl, Gwyneth, and no one took it too seriously.
Still, word eventually reached Hawthorne.
Hans went to knock on Yvette’s office door, his face back to its usual cold, impassive expression-the same look everyone, including Leonie Everhart, saw from him.
“Miss Yvette, Mr. Everhart would like to see you.”
Yvette rarely received messages from Hans; usually, if Hawthorne wanted her, he called her directly. For most other executives, unless it was something urgent, Hans would be the one to pass on messages.
The moment Yvette saw Hans, her heart sank.
She forced herself to stay calm. “Got it. Tell Mr. Everhart I’ll be there right away.”
“Alright.”
Hans had barely left when Yvette, heels clicking on the polished floor, made her way to Hawthorne’s office, her face clouded with grievance.
The door was open. When she entered, Hawthorne was bent over his desk, scribbling notes, not even glancing up. “Shut the door,” he said quietly.
Yvette’s nose stung as she closed the door behind her.
Outside, the secretaries strained their ears but couldn’t hear a thing. Still, everyone suspected the conversation had something to do with the new girl, Gwyneth.
one
After all, this newcomer was unlike anyone else. In just a few days, she’d managed to break several of Mr. Everhart’s famously strict rules: The company was supposed to be a fortress against nepotism- got in through connections. Yet, rumor had it Gwyneth was a friend of Mr. Everhart’s niece, and that alone had gotten her a job. Then there was the rule about not taking time off without a good reason-she’d started that very morning, and by the afternoon, Mr.
Everhart had sent his own assistant to HR to personally arrange her leave.
Some people had even seen her arrive in Mr. Everhart’s car. No wonder Miss Yvette was worked up and looking for trouble.
“Let’s hear it,” Hawthorne said, still busy with his paperwork, not even bothering to ask Yvette questions directly.
Yvette’s eyes instantly filled with tears. “Why? Just because of some college kid, you’re going to criticize the way I handle things? You never cared about this sort of trivial nonsense before.”
She was seething with frustration.
Gwyneth had nothing-no
experience, no credentials, just youth and a pretty face. Yvette refused to believe Hawthorne was that shallow. Besides, if she wanted to deal with Gwyneth, Hawthorne shouldn’t interfere.
She’d devoted years to this company, landed major accounts, and worked into the early hours night after night. She was the woman Hawthorne couldn’t without. If not for her, would the
company even be where it was today?