Her entrance hadn’t gone unnoticed.
So of Alia’s coworkers had gotten out of their seats to greet the Hawthorne princess, bright smiles across their faces as they subtly shot Alia glares from an angle Emline wouldn’t notice.
"Miss Emline!" Aubrey was one of the eager souls, clambering to greet Emline Hawthorne with a bright smile. "Are you here to see Mr. Montgory?"
"Aubrey, is it?" Emline asked. "Yes, yes I am! There have been so... odd rumors going around recently and I wanted to make sure they weren’t anything to worry about."
"Of course not!" Aubrey said, waving the matter off. "Everyone here in the office is very excited for you― we heard of the upcoming engagent party and wedding. Congratulations!"
"Thank you, Aubrey," Emline said.
The two continued to walk, their heels clicking in synchrony as they marched straight for Matteo’s office. When they approached Ronan and Alia’s desks, Emline stopped and frowned.
"Matteo has a new secretary?" Emline asked. Her glossy pink lips pursed tightly together, as though deep in thought.
Her voice hadn’t been soft, though Alia doubted it was purposely said in a particularly louder tone. All at once, those who were seated with a pri view of the pantry and had heard Emline’s words shot Alia a look. So were mocking, while so were downright pitiful.
Alia wished the ground could open up and swallow her whole.
"Oh, yes, the new girl," Aubrey said. She shook her head and plastered a professional smile. "Just a social climber that’s spreading rumors. I guess that’s what you’re worried about?"
" and Matteo’s families care a lot about this marriage," Emline said. She held Aubrey’s hands as though they were bosom sisters. "I am sure there’s nothing to worry about, but my mother insisted I co visit."
Emline dug through her expensive leather purse, pulling out a small packet of bonbons. From where Alia stood — tucked behind the pillar and peering out like she was nothing more than a stinking thief — she couldn’t see what was so special about that thing. However, Aubrey squealed in delight, practically jumping up and down.
"Are these from Rochelle?" Aubrey asked. "They’re always sold out! These must be so precious― and gold-dusted too? I heard it’s over fifty dollars for this one small bag."
"It’s nothing expensive, just a small treat," Emline replied. "Take it as thanks for your dedication towards this company. Once Matteo and I are married, I will be under your care as well. I do hope that you will continue helping out at X’el International. It’s because of the hard work of stellar employees such as yourself that the Montgory family is where they are today."
"Oh you flatter us, Miss Emline," Aubrey said. "And of course. Whatever you need, I will be here to help."
She then looked at Alia’s table, her gaze lingering a second too long. Just watching her sent a tingle down Alia’s spine― she had a feeling that Aubrey was up to no good.
"It’s just that..." Aubrey said, hesitating.
"Just that?" Emline prompted.
Aubrey leaned in and ’lowered’ her voice. Even though she pretended to whisper, everyone within three tables away could still hear her clearly.
Alia, likewise, wasn’t about to miss out on whatever Aubrey had to say. If she dared to say such things right here, surely she wouldn’t be afraid of getting heard. Thus, while Emline and Aubrey weren’t looking, she darted across the office as silently as she could, worming under an empty desk of a coworker who had called in sick today.
"You’re so sweet, Miss Emline, and I cannot keep this a secret from you any longer," Aubrey said with a dramatic sigh. "Mr. Montgory has been spending an awful amount of ti with his new secretary. I am sure you’ve seen the news as well. He announced their engagent while he was still engaged to you!"
Emline sucked in a deep breath, placing her hand on her heart.
At the sa ti, Alia ground her teeth, suppressing an irritated scoff. The nearby employees who had heard Aubrey’s words looked at Alia from the corner of their eyes, but Alia completely ignored them.
To think! When she had first joined this office, she knew that Aubrey was soone she ought to be careful of. It was nice — and disappointing — to know that she wasn’t wrong about that. Every word that left Aubrey’s lips was filled with false niceties.
What a two-faced bitch!
"Matteo and I have been engaged since we were children, after all. There were many other won who wanted to crawl into his bed but none have succeeded," Emline said with a sigh and a shake of her head. She then continued, "I trust in Matteo, and I trust in the love we have for each other. There must be a misunderstanding sowhere!"
Aubrey’s eyebrows furrowed, and at the sa ti, so did everyone else who listened in. Poor Emline Hawthorne. She was so blinded by love that she couldn’t even see that her husband-to-be was cheating on her with a woman who was half as wonderful as she was.
Instantly, those who were keeping a keen ear on this conversation glared at Alia. Whatever support and pitiful looks she at least had from earlier were gone, replaced by loathing and disbelief.
Childhood sweethearts! Matteo Montgory and Emline Hawthorne were engaged for years! In their eyes, Alia was just a gold-digging hussy who was flying too close to the sun. But a chicken could never beco a phoenix. Her wax wings would eventually burn in the glory of the Hawthornes’ light.
"Oh, I mustn’t linger too long," Emline said, jolting a little as she adjusted the small bag she carried besides her purse. "I brought lunch for Matteo. Wouldn’t want it to grow cold."
"Of course," Aubrey said, then her lips stretched into a smile, "Mrs. Montgory."
"You jest, Aubrey!" Emline said, her laughter like twinkling wind chis. "I’ll see you later."
With just a single knock, Emline pushed open the door to Matteo’s office, the door closing shut behind her.
At the sa ti, Aubrey turned and walked back to her office. As she passed by the desk Alia had been hiding under, she suddenly stopped in her tracks, shocked to see the young woman crouched there, eavesdropping.
However, she showed no remorse for the things she said and instead sneered.
"If you’ve already heard everything, then you should wisen up," Aubrey said, resting a hand on her hip. "You can never be Mrs. Montgory. That is a position solely for the Hawthorne heiress. Don’t make a fool of yourself. You look like nothing more than a pathetic lapdog."
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