Chapter 12 A Warning to All

Callie arrived at her department, only to find Mr. Montes holding an early morning meeting, which he had never done before. He was criticizing her in her absence, his voice carrying through two walls.

"Our department is getting lazier and lazier, especially Callie! The meeting has started, and she's still not here!"

Callie shrugged and simply turned back to her desk. She had lost her attendance bonus, and going to the meeting now would only result in more public scolding from Mr. Montes, as there was no way she could salvage the situation.

She sat down, turned on her computer, and resumed working on her unfinished design.

"Callie, you're in so much trouble. How dare you be late for today's meeting!"

She was so focused that she didn't realize the meeting was over until a colleague patted her on the shoulder.

She smiled and explained, "I overslept. What was the meeting about? More discussions on the packaging design?"

Three days ago, Mr. Montes had asked them to do a packaging design for a partner food company. So far, no design had satisfied him, and he had complained about it in meetings several times already.

"You guessed it. He scolded several people over this design, of course, including you for being late. You'd better watch out."

The colleague gave her a complicated look before returning to work.

Callie pressed her lips together.

Then she quickly gathered her completed designs, and headed to Mr. Montes's office.

Knock, knock!

"Come in!"

Callie entered, walked over to the desk and handed the papers to Mr. Montes. "Sir, the designs are complete. Please review them."

Mr. Montes tossed them aside without taking a look, his gaze sweeping over her. But to Callie's surprise, he was not angry. Instead, he was surprisingly calm in an unnerving way.

Callie weighed her words before saying, "Mr. Montes, I overslept today and missed the meeting. I'm really sorry, please don't be mad."

A person of character should be able to adapt to circumstances.

She might've had a problem with Mr. Montes, but she would have to make peace with it for the sake of money.

Besides, just now she had been bold enough to not attend the meeting.

Mr. Montes snorted. "Since you know you are wrong, go finish the packaging design for the food company."

"..."

She knew Mr. Montes wouldn’t let her go easily.

But no matter how much she didn't want to, she forced a smile and replied, "Yes, Sir. I'll get right on it."

"Hmph, go on!"

With that, Mr. Montes dismissed her. But Callie could clearly feel his leering eyes on her back as she walked out of the office.

She couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy.

After all his gaze seemed swelled with greed and lust after her.

She turned her head instinctively, only to see Mr. Montes reading some documents with his head down, which brought her a sense of relief.

Maybe she was just overthinking.

…

"Someone really has some nerve; even with a bad reputation, she still show up at the company without any shame."

"Couldn't agree more! She’s gotten married, but now she's trying to seduce Mr. Oconnor. Thinks she can do whatever she wants in this company just because she's pretty?"

On her way back to her desk, Callie couldn't help but overhear a few biting remarks which were clearly directed at her.

Callie shot a cold glance at the gossiping colleagues. Her friend, Litzy, couldn't stand it any longer and spoke up for Callie, "If you're so upset, why don't you get prettier yourselves? Otherwise, your words won’t change anything!”

The women snorted, "What's so great about relying on your looks? What’s there to be so proud of?"

Litzy wanted to argue back, but Callie pulled her aside, saying, "Let it go, Litzy. If a dog bites you, do you bite back?"

"What did you say?" One of the colleagues stepped forward angrily, she pointed at Callie and cursed, “You seduce men anytime anywhere without feeling shame, what a whore!"

Smack!

The clear sound of a slap shocked everyone.

The women who was slapped was incredulous, she clutched her face and started yelling, "How dare you hit me!"

Callie's expression was calm. "Because you deserved it, of course. Watch your mouth, or next time, it won't just be one slap."

Her gaze swept over everyone as she said that.

She was making an example out of this one, as a warning to all who gossiped.