Branch manager Linda passed by my desk and suddenly exclaimed: "Scarlett, your hair is so messy, doesn't your husband mind?" Colleagues next to her winked frantically, signaling her to stop. But she didn't receive a single signal. I slowly put down the proposal I was halfway through revising, stood up, enthusiastically took the supervisor's arm, and said gently: "Linda, seeing you're not busy, let's chat for a while?" Chapter 1 On the way to the break room, she didn't forget to give me advice: "Scarlett, with your square face, try not to dye it red. Better do hair masks often after perming. Young girls shouldn't always look so old-fashioned." Linda usually dresses very exquisitely. Approaching forty, she often reveals an innocent look like a little girl, posting some heavily filtered selfies from time to time. Unlike me, wearing ugly cotton clothes to work every day, plain-faced, hardly wearing makeup. I nodded and perfunctory her: "Sis, you are right. I will definitely pay attention next time." My mind was full of thoughts that it's not easy to find a listener, can't let her run away. Colleagues' expressions changed from concern to schadenfreude. Linda probably doesn't know yet that I am a "Trophy Wife" + "Love Brain", super fond of sharing my private life with others. Chapter 2 I made a cup of coffee for Linda and pressed her into the chair: "Sis, you are really beautiful and attentive." She looked a bit proud, corners of her mouth couldn't be suppressed: "Just okay." "Sis, why are you being modest! I've been working for three months, and you are the first person to notice my messy hair." She was a bit embarrassed and wanted to explain something. I didn't give her a chance to speak at all, speaking somewhat shyly: "My husband does dislike me, disliking me for being too clingy. Before I left this morning, he insisted that I smelled good, rubbing against me like a puppy, and kissed me for a full fifteen minutes, messing up my braided hair." Linda's hand holding the coffee trembled, a look of disgust appeared on her exquisite face, not wanting to listen to details. I was completely intoxicated in love, involuntarily opened the photo album and shoved it in front of her face: "Look at this one." In the photo, I was wearing pajamas taking a selfie, a stubbly chin intimately pressing against the top of my head, I grinned silly at the camera showing big white teeth: "I didn't wear makeup that day, my husband kept saying I looked good, simply growing on his heart tip. Sis, do you think men's words are all deceiving ghosts? I'm just an ordinary person, where am I pretty." Linda's mouth barely maintained a smile, trying to get up to grab the folder: "Scarlett, I still have to find Mr. Chen to sign." I snatched the folder and threw it aside: "Mr. Chen is not here today." Seeing her lack of interest in my private affairs, I also actively switched topics. She usually carries designer bags and wears watches worth over ten thousand, should like talking about outfits. I sighed, putting on an envious expression: "Sis, your husband chose this bag, right? Very tasteful." A trace of embarrassment flashed in her eyes. I spoke again: "My husband has straight-man aesthetics. The ugly bags he buys for tens of thousands every business trip, simply no face to carry out. Last month I said I wanted a commuter car, he actually secretly bought a G-Wagon, don't mention how hard it is to drive, and fuel-consuming. So angry I went to buy an electric scooter myself..." At this moment, I was talking endlessly with unfulfilled desire, but she still wanted to leave. I cursed myself secretly for being too ruthless and forgetting feelings again, killing the conversation. Next time I definitely won't lead the topic to my husband. Just then the break room door opened. Colleague Millie, suppressing subtle sympathy, said to me: "Scarlett, your phone has been ringing at your desk for a long time..." I complained coquettishly: "My husband is so annoying, just a few minutes not replying messages, and he calls like crazy!" Supervisor Linda took the opportunity to flee: "Scarlett! Sorry, I suddenly remembered I have an appointment with a client from The Hamptons at 10:30, leaving first!" I hurried to chase out, sending her to the company gate: "Linda, come often, I like you especially." Chapter 3 Back at my desk, thinking back and forth, I felt Linda is a good person. I came to the headquarters for three months, colleagues around have too much sense of boundary. Every time I talk about my husband, they find excuses to run. As if I am some terrible person. No one chats with me, I can only bury my head in work. Accidentally pushed the performance to number one in the whole company. Now hubby must love me to death. Actually, if colleagues are willing to be closer to me usually. Once I get excited, I can't help sharing many spicy secrets with them. For example, who and who in the headquarters drink from the same cup. For example, the big boss's trunk has an adult Toy. And the afternoon tea sent by the company is actually from... I don't believe anyone in this world can walk out of the break room with closed ears. At lunch, I ate the Sweet and Sour Ribs my husband cooked while scrolling TikTok. The homepage pushed me a workplace complaint post: "What to do with a poser in the company? I don't want to talk to her, she has no sense at all, dragging me to show off love then showing off cars and bags, every sentence not leaving husband. Actually riding an electric scooter every day wearing Temu, probably marriage unhappy delusion syndrome committed, finding presence everywhere. I'm really going to vomit." The comment section was also lively: "Is she writing a novel, is her husband fictional?" "Which company? Really want to apply, watch this kind of disgusting colleague." "Yeah, the more a person shows off what, the more she lacks what, must be poor and lack love." The poster liked these comments one by one. I also replied anonymously: "How is her performance?" Result poster turned a blind eye, continued complaining: "I asked around, the husband, G-Wagon, tens of thousands bags she mentioned, no one has ever seen, high probability fabricated. Does anyone have a good way to slap her face? I must expose her!" A bunch of people below gave bad ideas. The poster's avatar is a city night view taken from the top floor. Really didn't expect, the seemingly high-intelligence branch manager is a person with low cognition. She dares to really listen, believe and practice the bad ideas given by netizens. They discussed enthusiastically wanting to embarrass me at the Holiday Party. Chapter 4 Lisa from the admin department usually has a good relationship with Linda. When Lisa came to send the notice, she specifically told me: "This time employees can bring family members to participate in the on-site lottery at the annual meeting. The grand prize is a two-person trip to the Maldives. If you don't want to go, the boss also gives cash." I was shocked: "Really? Hubby and I have been to Maldives more than twenty times, not much interest. But cash would be great." She looked at me like I was a psycho. Obviously, Linda had already complained to her that I was a poser. But she still said patiently: "Scarlett, do you have a suitable dress for the annual meeting? Now many places rent clothes and do makeup, not too expensive. Shall I send you the link?" The makeup artist Crystal she recommended, I know, $5000 an hour, hard to book. They are testing me again. Actually, I am also very curious about their motives. Last week, internal staff Yun wore an affordable dress, they publicly commented it wasn't classy. Intern Min has oily hair, they concluded Min failed blind dates because she was sloppy and didn't pay attention to image. And Millie was the most wronged, she forgot to cut the tag on her coat. They claimed Millie's whole body luxury brands were rented. Must be afraid the rich second-generation boyfriend she just dated would look down on her. These years, Linda and Lisa's eyes have been staring at others' appearance, enthusiastic and mean. And what confuses me is, no matter how smelly men are, they won't say a word. I politely declined Lisa: "No need, I'll go back and let my husband borrow one from the brand side." At this time Linda also came, hearing me say borrow from brand side. The teasing look could hardly be hidden: "Scarlett, your husband is so considerate, will you bring him to the annual meeting? Listening to you all day." I shook my head: "Not bringing." Lisa pretended to be surprised: "Doesn't your husband love you the most? Not accompanying you on such an occasion, how awkward you alone." I answered honestly: "My husband is relatively busy and very introverted, only enthusiastic to me. He feels uncomfortable in crowded places." I have already hinted at my husband's noble identity very obviously. But they still didn't realize. Linda asked with concern: "You wouldn't have no husband at all, right?" Hehe, waiting for me here. No wonder hubby didn't let me work these years, he even bet a Penthouse with me, saying I would definitely be bullied in the company. In a bad environment, people and things are just so disgusting. If I bow my head, they will step on it. If I prove myself, they treat me as a psycho. And once I prove myself, they will also pick new problems from my husband, like rich people must cheat, or he has leverage in my hands so didn't divorce me etc... Then I completely fall into their logic. Since they are certain I am a delusional person, can neither wear decent clothes nor bring a real husband. Then I'll just fulfill their wish first. I didn't answer this very offensive question. Instead, my eyes turned red, teardrops crumbling: "Linda, actually he doesn't want me to work this crappy job, let alone accompany me to this level of annual meeting. He goes on business trips for months, cold pot cold stove at home every day, sometimes I really feel, better to divorce." Linda and Lisa looked at each other. Busily took out tissues from bag and handed to my hand. Such a flawed marriage fits their imagination. Linda patted my back hypocritically: "Don't be sad, men all run for career." Colleagues also stopped work in hand. Pretending to bury heads in work, ears didn't miss a sentence. I sniffled: "Linda is right. But he also suffers on business trips, he said the anniversary buffet at The Hamptons Hotel is particularly terrible." Linda's action of comforting me stiffened slightly. I secretly observed her expression. The category of anniversary celebration is different from the usual set meal. Two more Boston lobsters. And I found the reflection in her night view photos on social media had the anniversary table card of The Hamptons Hotel, so just bluffing her. But looking at her expression, this melon should be true. I just need to use my gossip connections to find evidence. So I leaned in intimately: "Sis, you often go on business trips to The Hamptons, must also think it's terrible right?" She pushed me away alertly: "Never been, the meal fee there exceeds reimbursement ratio." "Oh, then Linda is very lucky..." She didn't listen to my nagging, dragged Lisa up and left. I wiped the tears from the corners of my eyes, sat back at the workstation. Continue to maintain the potential customers just connected. Chapter 5 After work, I returned to the empty home, lazily fried a piece of Wagyu beef, opened Linda's complaint post. She indeed updated again: "Sisters, so annoying, our company is having an annual meeting, I recommended a top makeup artist in NYC to that poser, she didn't even dare to add, said she would borrow a dress from the brand side herself. What brand side is willing to lend to her kind? Simply addicted to pretending!" The comment section has started partying. [Laughing to death, how can she pretend so much? Borrowing Old Navy to attend annual meeting!] [I think Shein suits her identity better.] [Looking at sister's daily life, know this company has good benefits, want to attend this specification big annual meeting, help sister slap poser face, beg for referral.] Immediately she posted a diamond necklace. Asking sisters on social media, will such big one be hard to match. I smiled without speaking, secretly added some heat to this post, selected precise push to women over forty in The Hamptons. Before long, someone will dig out the company name. When small matter becomes big matter, making trouble until PR team needs to step in, the best time belonging to me arrives. Chapter 6 On the day of the annual meeting, of course I didn't borrow clothes from the brand side. This grade of annual meeting is not worth being so grand. I wore a simple little black dress. Casually matched with a faux fur short jacket sent by the brand. Can't ride an electric scooter wearing this. Bestie Crystal drove her Maserati to send me to the banquet hall entrance. On the way she said distressedly: "Scarlett, you insist on suffering hardship." I smiled: "For the Penthouse, I go all out." Entering the hall, I saw Linda at a glance. She wore a valuable champagne dress, a big diamond shining on her neck. She was raising champagne laughing with a few male colleagues, eyes and brows full of practiced charm. She absolutely won't bring her husband to this occasion. Her gaze drifted to my empty wrist and neck, smile in eyes growing: "Scarlett, you really came alone." Lisa followed behind her, gently touched my fur, said teasingly: "Does faux fur get static? Riding an electric scooter so far is cold. Don't freeze. Let your CEO husband park the helicopter on the roof, send you a thick coat." They laughed to tears themselves. Gazes from people around carried scrutiny and pity. Also an excitement of about to eat melon. I indeed prepared a big melon for everyone to gnaw. Just not mine. A gentle female voice appeared behind me: "Scarlett?" I turned around, it was the company's big client Mr. Zhou and his wife. "Sis, long time no see, thinner again." People in the company don't know. Mr. Zhou was an ordinary salesman at first. Relied on wife's family support to have current social status. Just Mr. Zhou got tired of good days, a bit inflated, actually had an affair taking advantage of business opportunities. Linda panicked as soon as she saw Mr. Zhou and Mrs. Zhou, turned to leave, but was held by my wrist calmly: "Linda, don't rush, I remember Mr. Zhou is your client. No reason to leave the client behind." Mrs. Zhou asked me familiarly: "Scarlett, this is?" "Look at my brain, forgot to introduce, this is our company's big hit, Linda, Supervisor Lin." Linda reached out awkwardly to show goodwill, Mrs. Zhou scoffed lightly, didn't move, just stared at that dazzling diamond on her neck, then looked at Mr. Zhou who was sweating cold sweat: "Husband, this diamond looks very like the one I asked you to send to the second-hand luxury store for recycling. This carat weight is rare." Her words, like a ladle of cold water thrown into hot oil. Gossip sizzling in the pot. Mr. Zhou wanted to explain something, but his expression was unnatural. Linda's hand unconsciously protected the necklace. "Mrs. Zhou, this is a second-hand gift from a friend, maybe the style is very similar..." Mrs. Zhou's tone remained peaceful, didn't pursue, indifferently praised: "Your friend has good taste." Mrs. Zhou didn't bother to look at her again, took my arm: "Scarlett, let's go sit over there, also want to thank you for inviting me. Tell me about your husband quickly, my life is too boring, urgently need to hear your stories..." A resentful gaze followed me behind. Don't need to look back to know who. Linda wanted my husband to come to the annual meeting, wanted to embarrass me. But she would die not thinking, I invited her old baby Mr. Zhou she dated in The Hamptons Hotel. Throughout the annual meeting, Mr. Zhou was eight meters away from Linda. Discussion sounds were endless. They should rejoice, Mrs. Zhou only touched the point today. Just didn't want to make him more embarrassed in public. But I just like watching something awkward.
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