Chapter 7

Isla looked at that young, delicate face and felt like she was being played.

The anxiety and panic on her face were painfully obvious.

"I have my own principles..."

"Principles?"

Serena scoffed, her already indifferent gaze growing colder. "Your principles are bullying new hires and stealing their work to make yourself look good?"

Watching the helpless yet unwilling expression on Isla's face, she continued coolly.

"I won't expose the truth about the guarantee agreement. But I'm the one who'll be handling negotiations with Sinclair Group on this project."

Serena needed to avoid Wendy while also making contact with Zayn. It was a real challenge.

She needed Isla as a shield.

"You..." Isla's eyes widened slightly, contempt flashing through them. "You're trying to get close to Mr. Sinclair!"

"..."

Why did everyone assume that any woman would throw herself at Zayn?

An idiot who couldn't even tell women apart—what was there to fight over?

Serena didn't bother explaining. She turned and walked out. "What I do is none of your business."

When she returned to the office, the chaotic atmosphere from earlier had disappeared. Everyone seemed to be working.

But the hostile glances directed at her were still obvious.

She sat down unbothered. Someone immediately slammed documents onto her desk, speaking rudely.

"Take a good look at the guarantee agreement Ms. White wrote. This stuff could teach you for years."

"She's so lucky. Doesn't know anything but gets to work on such a big project with Ms. White right after joining."

Serena looked up to see Isla's uncomfortable expression. Her face held a half-smile.

"I am pretty lucky. Jealous?"

She didn't care at all about her colleagues' mockery, but Isla shivered.

"All right, everyone get back to work. Serena, come with me to the conference room."

...

Conference room.

Zayn immediately spotted Serena sitting at the far end of the table. He felt like she was haunting him—he saw her everywhere.

Displeasure flashed through him, though his face remained impassive.

After sitting down, he got straight to the point. "Mr. Wright, I'm very satisfied with this guarantee agreement. I'd like to meet the person who wrote it."

"I'd also like to meet an employee who could satisfy Mr. Sinclair so thoroughly."

Justin's smile was warm.

His gaze swept downward, landing on Serena with restrained, suppressed emotion.

But that deeply hidden feeling was caught clearly by Zayn, another man.

His eyes narrowed slightly, displeasure rising in his chest.

Just as he was about to speak, Isla stood up, adjusting her black-framed glasses.

"Mr. Wright, Mr. Sinclair, I wrote this guarantee agreement."

She nervously glanced at Serena from the corner of her eye. Seeing no reaction, half her anxiety eased.

"Well done. How did you think to include employee considerations in this clause?"

Zayn refocused his attention on the document in front of him.

But sweat broke out on Isla's forehead. When she'd first seen the guarantee agreement, she'd thought it was good but never imagined Sinclair Group would approve it, which was why she'd pushed Serena forward.

After receiving Mia's call, she'd wanted to claim credit and hadn't looked closely at all.

Now...

As she panicked, not knowing what to do, Serena placed a file folder in front of her.

"I referenced past Sinclair Group cases where improper personnel arrangements caused significant losses. So I thought for this collaboration, both parties should seriously consider staffing decisions."

Serena answered fluently, but everyone present knew what they were dealing with.

That small detail was enough for them to realize something was off about this document.

Especially Justin. His gaze cooled, though his tone remained gentle.

"Serena, go make me some coffee."

Clearly dismissing her. Serena acknowledged and stood to leave.

At the same time, his voice rang out again. "I didn't realize you'd put so much effort into this guarantee agreement. Which Sinclair Group partnership case was it? Have them pull it up so the entire legal department can study it."

Isla's heart was trembling.

How would she know?

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Isla's forehead. Serena saw it clearly before walking out.

At the door, she pulled out her phone and immediately texted Justin.

[Justin, please don't make things hard for Ms. White, please please!]

She sent a pleading puppy emoji. Pitiful and cute.

His previously cold expression instantly softened. When he spoke again, his tone had returned to warmth.

"After the meeting, you'll handle this matter."

Isla didn't know why Justin had suddenly changed his mind, but Zayn, sitting beside Justin, had seen that message.

Still, this was Wright Group's internal matter. He couldn't interfere.

...

Serena understood that making coffee was just an excuse. She walked slowly toward the break room, in no hurry to return.

"Having your credit stolen, yet you're so calm about it."

Mia's voice came from behind her. Her expression flickered slightly.

But when she turned around, her face had resumed its bright, energetic look.

"Ms. Morris, you also think highly of my proposal?"

"Mr. Sinclair came here personally to sign the contract. What's left to doubt?" Mia answered with a question.

"I can't believe my first assignment at my first job turned out so well. This is amazing!"

Serena's innocence carried a touch of sweetness, her bright spirit tinged with pride. She really didn't seem like a seasoned office player.

But even a naive college graduate shouldn't react like this, right?

Mia narrowed her eyes, studying Serena, uncertain what kind of person she was dealing with.

"You did such good work. Don't you want to fight for yourself a little?"

"Getting into Wright Group is already great."

A flash of disappointment crossed Serena's innocent smile, but she quickly made a fist-pumping gesture. "This document showed my supervisor that I'm capable. So I've proven myself in the legal department."

Having fought in the corporate world for years, Mia naturally understood office politics and how hard it was for new hires.

Her gaze was no longer scrutinizing, her tone softening. "If you need help, I can assist you."

"No need." Serena spotted the corner of a charcoal gray suit at the break room entrance and immediately started building goodwill for herself. "I'll prove my abilities myself! If I need help with everything, it just means I'm not that capable."

She gave Mia a sweet smile. "But thank you, Ms. Morris."

Zayn glanced at Justin beside him, jerking his chin toward the other end of the hallway. The two men walked over one after the other.

"Wright Group can't even guarantee fair treatment for its employees. I find it hard to believe a partnership between Wright Group and Sinclair Group could go smoothly."

Unlike Zayn's coldness, Justin appeared gentle and refined.

Facing the accusation, his tone remained pleasant, like a spring breeze.

"Serena's abilities are beyond question. I believe she can handle this. But you—what's your sudden interest in my employee about?"