Chapter 123
The office buzzed with chatter as lunchtime rolled around. Employees huddled together, eager to indulge in the latest gossip and workplace drama.
“What do you think of the new boss?” someone whispered. “What’s her story? How did she even catch Mr. Kingsley’s attention?”
“I heard Mr. Kingsley had to personally invite her multiple times before she agreed to join,” another chimed in.
Just then, Marcus Wainwright’s phone vibrated with a new message.
“Use whatever means necessary to remove Isabella from the company. Once done, you’ll be rewarded handsomely—plus an opportunity to join the Blackwood Group.”
The message came from Sophia Kensington, accompanied by a detailed dossier. Marcus had crossed paths with Sophia years ago when she tried to extract confidential information from Charisma Company, offering him bribes to do her dirty work.
Easy money, he thought. Why not?
As for Isabella Sinclair, Marcus had already planned her downfall long before Sophia’s request. That woman was clearly manipulative—no way she was more competent than him! She must have seduced Mr. Kingsley to get where she was.
A smug grin spread across his face as he typed back:
“Consider it done, Miss Kensington.”
He glanced around at his colleagues, noting their mixed expressions, and adjusted his glasses.
“Our new boss has a questionable past,” he murmured conspiratorially. “You remember Miss Kensington, who just arrived today? No wonder she despises Isabella—she stole her fiancé, Mr. Blackwood!”
He leaned in closer, lowering his voice. “I have solid intel that Sophia and Mr. Blackwood were childhood sweethearts. She probably left the country out of sheer heartbreak.”
A voice cut in dryly. “Well, true love always finds a way.”
Marcus shook his head as if they didn’t understand. “The worst part? Isabella and Mr. Blackwood just broke up, and now she’s latched onto Mr. Kingsley! But the Kingsley family is prestigious—it’s not easy to enter their circle.”
The group was so engrossed in the gossip that their lunches lay forgotten, eyes gleaming with excitement. Office life was painfully dull—nothing juicier than scandalous rumors.
Marcus’s latest revelation reminded them of something crucial.
“Alexander is the Kingsley heir—he has to marry someone of equal status.”
“Exactly. There’s no way they’d let an orphan become their mistress.”
“Right, and Miss Sinclair is divorced. This is probably just a fling.”
“If she slips up, she’ll be the first to go!”
The small group that had been reprimanded earlier now felt a twisted satisfaction. They began scheming ways to make Isabella’s life miserable.
Fueled by Sophia’s promised reward, Marcus executed his plan flawlessly. Within three days, rumors spread like wildfire—even the cleaning staff whispered about it.
During work hours, everyone kept to their tasks, but at lunch, they deliberately avoided Isabella, exchanging knowing glances.
“People like her need to be reminded of their place.”
Yet, after a day or two, they noticed something odd—Isabella seemed completely unfazed. She worked diligently, absorbed in her experiments, oblivious to their silent rejection.
But the rumors only grew darker.
Evelyn Fairchild overheard two men on the stairs.
“Wonder how Miss Sinclair managed to climb into Mr. Kingsley’s bed.”
Evelyn bit her lip, debating whether to ignore it. Finally, she marched into the lab where Isabella was deeply engrossed in her work. A wave of sadness washed over her.
Isabella might have been parachuted into the company, but she was a shareholder, a top perfumer, and the reigning champion of the Perfume Contest.
Why was someone so brilliant being treated like trash?
Having faced workplace bullying herself, Evelyn felt a pang of empathy.
“Miss Sinclair… I’m sorry to interrupt.”
Isabella turned to see Evelyn’s downcast expression, as if she were about to cry.
“What’s wrong? Is something bothering you?”
“Some people are spreading horrible rumors about you…”
Before Isabella could respond, Evelyn blurted out everything she’d heard over the past few days. By the end, her voice trembled with anger.
“They’re unbelievable. If they’re jealous, they should say it outright instead of whispering behind your back. It’s so unfair.”
Isabella felt a mix of gratitude and amusement. She gently patted Evelyn’s shoulder.
“People like that aren’t worth your energy. But thank you for telling me.”
She smirked slightly. “Keep watching them for me, will you? I’ve been wanting to see their little performance.”
This was the perfect opportunity to catch the troublemakers off guard.
“After all,” her voice turned steely, “I won’t tolerate nonsense in the lab I oversee.”
Evelyn’s heart warmed at the quiet strength in Isabella’s tone. She nodded firmly. “I’ll keep a close eye on them.”
Isabella smiled at Evelyn’s determination. The girl wore her emotions openly—but something still seemed unresolved.
