Chapter 67


    Sometimes, the more you try to ignore the idle gossip, the louder it gets, as if people are itching to rip


    off your stoic mask and revel in your humiliation.


    “Look at her face; you can tell she’s trash!”


    “She’s probably just like Chloe; one seduces the CEO, and the other’s on the prowl for God knows


    who.”


    “Ha, imagine if she’s after the CEO too? Now, that would be a show, dogs fighting over a bone.”


    Matilda clenched her fists, turning on herputer where Chloe had sent her several files, detailing


    her day–to–day tasks and thepany’s operations. She tried to block out the noise, focusing on the


    job at hand, determined to be worthy of Chloe’s extended hand.


    In the afternoon, Den returned, Chloe, as always, in tow. As she passed by, she dropped a piece of


    chocte on Matilda’s desk and asked, “You holding up okay?”


    Matilda looked up, her gaze cool and detached. “It’s fine, I’m not taking it to heart.”


    “You just hang in there, and once your studio picks up again, you won’t have to deal with this crowd,”


    Chloe said, her voice tinged with sympathy, “Wish I could do more to help…”


    “No need, you’ve already done plenty,” Matilda replied with a smile, “Don’t worry about it, go on with


    your work.”


    Chloe nodded and hurried to catch up with Den. As soon as she left, the office’s perception of


    Matilda twisted into something strange.


    Despite their contempt and disdain, they had to show her a sliver of respect because of her influential


    backing. Matilda sneered inwardly at the so–called workce politics; it was all so superficial.


    Come evening, Chloe was waiting downstairs when she saw Yvan approaching their office building.


    The handsome man walked in with amanding presence and striking features.


    Chloe immediately messaged Matilda, warning her to stay put, but as fate would have it, they ran into


    each other as the elevator doors opened.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Yvan was visibly surprised to see Matilda there, his voice rising with a probing tone, “Why are you


    here?”


    12:40


    Chapter 67


    His implication was clear, suggesting Matilda was up to no good,


    Matilda stepped out of the elevator, facing Yvan squarely. “That’s none of your business, Mr. Boyd,”


    Yvan, who was about to take the elevator, stopped at her words, stepping forward and grabbing her


    wrist. “What, cklisted by me, so now you’re desperately trying totch onto Den?”


    Matilda’s eyes reddened with anger, her grip tightening. “Not everyone is as


    despicable as you think, Mr. Boyd. No matter what, I refuse to climb thedder on the coattails of a


    man! Let go of me, please!”


    Her words rang with conviction, and Yvan’s heart skipped a beat as he released her. The moment he


    let go, Matilda turned and walked away without a backward nce, her departure as decisive as if


    Yvan were a mere stranger.


    He watched her leave, squinting after her, just as Den emerged from another elevator, greeting him.


    The two men had business matters to discuss, and Yvan’s presence after hours wasn’t unusual.


    However, Yvan couldn’t help but ask, “Matilda works here?”


    Den thought for a moment, remembering Chloe’s arrangement to slot someone into thepany,


    and nodded, “Yes, she does.”


    Yvan clenched his jaw, “And what is she doing at yourpany?”


    Den couldn’t help but chuckle. “Working, what else?”