Unmasking Mrs. Newton's Secret Identities novel Chapter 1533

With that, Abigail exited the office, disappointment etched across her face.

Helen sighed, recognizing Abigail's impulsive nature; she had a lot to learn about patience.

With Abigail gone, the arrogant female colleague felt a surge of confidence. She tapped her fingers on Helen's desk and declared haughtily, "Don't forget about my report. If anything goes wrong, we'll both be in trouble."

Helen smiled, though her eyes held no warmth. "Don't worry. Everything is under control."

The colleague raised an eyebrow at Helen's odd response but opted not to push further, leaving in a huff.

Encouraged by her boldness, others in the office began approaching Helen for assistance.

Instead of getting upset, she accepted their requests with a smile. Once everyone had left for the day, she leisurely packed her belongings, intentionally leaving every single data report behind.

…

Meanwhile, at a prestigious restaurant in Glendale, members of the Jewelers' Association gathered around a table.

Fiona and Zac arrived late, making their way to the only available seats.

"Sorry for being late; traffic was awful. I'll make it up to you with a drink." Fiona raised her glass and downed her red wine in one gulp.

With a bright smile, she turned to the group and added, "As I gear up for my campaign for membership in the association, I'd really appreciate your support. Once I'm elected, I promise to show my gratitude to each of you!"

Just as she finished speaking, a gray-haired man across from her scoffed. "In all my years in business, I've never seen anyone arrive an hour late to a dinner they're hosting.

The man gripped the doorknob tightly, his teeth clenched in frustration. After a tense moment, torn between his principles and his family, he ultimately chose the latter and shuffled back to his seat.

"I knew everyone here had a sense of practicality," Fiona said with a triumphant smile. "Now, does anyone else have any objections?"

With the man's humiliation still echoing in their minds, the others quickly lowered their heads, eager to protect themselves. A heavy silence enveloped the room, each person lost in their own thoughts.

"Excellent," Fiona said, raising her freshly filled glass and swirling it. "Let's toast to a prosperous partnership. And if anyone dares to back out, may they find themselves drowning in their own regrets!"

Her voice rose sharply as she tipped her glass upside down, spilling red wine across the table. The bright crimson liquid soaked into the pristine white tablecloth, a vivid reminder of her unspoken threat.

An unsettling chill swept through the room, and the attendees felt a wave of apprehension. Like startled prey, they avoided meeting Fiona and Zac's eyes, fearful of the consequences of defiance.