Chapter 8 Nauseating Two-Faced Taste
An hour later, Olivia walked back into the office.
Michael hovered nearby, as if he were afraid she'd make a break for it.
She glanced down and pulled up her sleeve, revealing a red mark where Michael had grabbed her earlier. It still hurt.
As they reached the office door, Michael spoke in a cold, robotic tone, "This time, I'll personally supervise to make sure the handover is done correctly."
Olivia felt a chill run through her; her hands and feet went cold.
She knew exactly what Michael was up to.
He was probably worried she'd "bully" Sophia again!
Sophia walked in just then.
She quickly approached Michael, her tone slightly reproachful, "Michael, you're being way too hard on Olivia. Be a bit nicer, okay? I don't think she missed anything on purpose!"
Michael's brows furrowed, his tone still stern, "This is the only way she'll take the handover seriously! You don't need to defend her. If she were half as sensible as you, I wouldn't have to waste my time here!"
Olivia listened, her hands trembling with anger.
Just when she thought he couldn't get any lower...
Sophia, pretending to feel guilty, lightly tugged on his sleeve, "Don't talk to Olivia like that!"
Then she turned to Olivia with a friendly smile, "Olivia, don't be mad at Michael. You know how he is; he's always meticulous with work! Just make sure you don't miss anything this time, and he won't blame you!"
Olivia was sickened by such blatant hypocrisy.
Especially Sophia, who acted innocent but had a mocking,and triumphant glint in her eyes.
She was confident Michael wouldn't notice and would protect her.
And sure enough, Michael didn't see through Sophia's act and trusted her completely.
Olivia, feeling wronged, couldn't defend herself.
Because he wouldn't believe her!
Saying anything more would just be a waste of breath.
She didn't want to stay here any longer.
To avoid Michael's coercion, she suppressed her emotions and efficiently completed all the handover tasks.
After finishing, she asked Michael in a cold and distant tone, "Is it done now, Mr. Johnson?"
Michael didn't mind her formal address.
After all, in the office, they were just superior and subordinate.
He saw nothing wrong with it.
Michael replied indifferently, "As long as there's nothing missing, you can leave."
Hearing this, Olivia didn't say another word and turned to leave.
As she walked through the office area, she couldn't help but feel a wave of emotion.
This place, where she had poured her sweat and effort, had now become someone else's stepping stone, and she was discarded like trash.
Her heart ached so much she could hardly breathe, and she quickened her pace to leave.
While waiting for the elevator, her team members, who had always fought alongside her, hurriedly caught up.
Their expressions were filled with reluctance and a desire for her to stay. "Ms. Smith, are you really leaving?"
"Please don't go, we'll miss you so much!"
"This new Ms. Brown seems a bit full of herself; I'm not really a fan."
"Shh, keep it down."
Another colleague whispered, "She's from the Brown family and grew up with Mr. Johnson. Their relationship seems kind of... special. Even Mr. Chase Johnson came to check on her this morning..."
"I heard from the top-floor secretary that she's Mr. Johnson's sweetheart. She might even end up being the Mrs. Johnson..."
Olivia wasn't surprised by their comments.
Sophia had only been here a day, and Michael and Chase were already bending over backward for her.
No wonder everyone had such speculations!
And maybe soon, those speculations might come true.
Olivia had no desire to speak. After they had said enough, she finally responded, "I'm sorry, I can't keep working with you. From now on, follow the new leader and do your best. Hopefully, we'll meet again someday!"
Her gossiping colleagues immediately stopped talking.
The deputy director, Abigail Rodriguez, stepped forward and took Olivia's arm. "Olivia, with your talent, you shouldn't be under anyone. Since the lab won't keep you, let us see you off before you go? How about dinner tonight?"
"Yeah, Olivia, you're the best leader I've ever had. I'll really miss you, please don't say no!"
"We don't know when we'll see you again, let's have a gathering tonight?"
Olivia wasn't in the mood for dinner.
But her colleagues' warm invitations, with some even tearing up.
Olivia's heart wasn't made of stone.
Faced with such kindness, how could she refuse?
In the end, she agreed, "Alright, let's call it my farewell party."
That evening, at Azure & Gold's private room, after settling Bianca, Olivia arrived on time.
When she got there, her team members were already present.
As soon as they saw her, they warmly greeted her, "Olivia, you're here? Come sit over here, we saved you a spot!"
Olivia nodded and took the seat they indicated.
However, she noticed two empty seats to her left.
She looked around and asked, "Is anyone else coming?"
At her question, her colleagues' expressions froze.
At that moment, the door to the room suddenly opened.
Two unexpected figures walked in.
It was Michael and Sophia!
Olivia was stunned, unable to react before Sophia cheerfully greeted everyone, "Is everyone here? I hope you didn't wait too long?"
She specifically looked at Olivia's seat and smiled, "Olivia, you're here too? I thought you wouldn't come to my welcome party! It's great that you did!"
Michael stood beside her, giving Olivia a brief glance, his face expressionless.
Olivia's face darkened instantly.
Sophia's welcome party?
Wasn't this supposed to be her farewell party?
She instinctively looked around at her colleagues.
They averted their eyes, looking awkward and unsure how to face her.
Olivia's fingers went cold, and she suppressed her turbulent emotions, asking Abigail beside her, "Can you tell me what's going on? Why is she here? Was the farewell party a lie?"
Abigail quickly lowered her voice to explain, "It's not like that, Olivia. We didn't expect things to turn out this way..."
