CHAPTER 848: CHAPTER 528: NEW RUMORS (PART 2)

She thought it would be best if she didn’t have to go, after all, she wasn’t really familiar with the people in the company.

She also didn’t leave a particularly good impression on those colleagues in the Translation Department before.

The work had been quite stable these past few days, and she even thought she was starting to adapt to her current work situation. But at noon on Wednesday, something happened that really pissed her off.

After going out for lunch, she didn’t go straight back to the office but went to the restroom first.

When she was still some distance from the restroom, she heard a bunch of people talking inside.

The topic of conversation was, conveniently, about her.

She always felt that there were two gossip hotspots in a place where female white-collar workers worked: one was the restroom, and the other was the tea room.

Wherever there are lots of women, gossip never runs short.

But what she didn’t expect was that she, who had obviously returned in a role akin to an "outsider," thought no one would dare gossip about her. Yet, she still got caught in the crossfire.

If they were just talking about her own issues, it would be fine, but this time, they were discussing her relationship with the CEO.

The CEO, who was, in fact, her father-in-law, had her standing by the door with folded arms, openly eavesdropping.

Such an obvious relationship, yet the women inside had spun quite the tale, getting nastier and nastier.

"Really, someone heard it themselves. She called the CEO uncle.

They even mentioned buying a villa and that they have an illegitimate daughter out there."

"I also heard that back when she worked in the Translation Department, she almost had a miscarriage because of a fight, and that’s why she left the company.

At the time, she even said the team leader in the Translation Department was a homewrecker, but maybe she wasn’t much better."

"Tsk tsk, I truly admire this woman. Our Director Rhodes is a tigress, and she’s bold enough to mess around right under her nose!

I think it takes more than just average intelligence to pull this off; her emotional intelligence must be top-notch."

"Right, right, I heard that our CEO is very fond of Director Rhodes, so it seems like there’s no basis to these rumors."

Ivy stood there with her arms folded, leaning against the wall, thinking the gossip is ridiculous enough to write a soap opera about.

Human imagination is truly endless, and she was in awe of it.

Someone approached to enter the restroom, saw Ivy standing there and respectfully said, "Manager Ivy, you’re here."

She didn’t actually hold any position in the HR department, but since the HR Director called her Manager Ivy, others followed suit.

"Yeah, just came by to digest my food."

As Ivy smiled, the gossip inside the restroom abruptly stopped.

The female employee smiled at her and walked into the restroom, "Hey, what are you guys doing huddled up here, sniffing or something?"

"Uh... no, nothing going on."

Ivy smirked, turned, and went into the restroom, everyone exchanged awkward glances.

Without saying much, she washed her hands and glanced in the mirror at the people behind her.

"I don’t mind you gossiping about me, but don’t drag the CEO and the CEO’s wife into it. If you speak recklessly without evidence, you’ll regret it, you know?"

After saying that, she smiled in the mirror and walked out with her head held high.

The others were in a panic, thinking they were doomed.

Ivy thought, there’s no punishment more torturous than silent intimidation, right?

She decided not to deal with them for now; she’d wait until the truth came out and they’d be sorry.

Ivy returned to her office, acting as if nothing had happened and took a nap.

In the afternoon, the HR Director personally came to her office.

Ivy stood up respectfully, "Director, you’re here."

"Ivy, you’re not busy, right?"

"Not busy at all, I feel relaxed every day." Indeed, this was like a different world compared to when she was in the Translation Department.

"That’s good. I have to inform you about something; the company is having a dinner party the night after tomorrow. All employees from the office building are required to attend.

There will be quite a few people at the dinner, and you’re allowed to bring family. Men should wear suits, and women should wear evening dresses."

Ivy was irked, whatever she feared was coming true: "Can I take a day off?"

"It’s best not to. Today, when I went to the CEO’s office for a meeting, the CEO specifically asked me to inform you about this.

He said to let you know that you can bring family, up to two people."

Ivy was speechless. Didn’t that mean she had to bring both Uncle and little Ivy?

Even if she agreed, Uncle wouldn’t agree, right?

With Director Lin present, she couldn’t complain, so she just nodded, "I understand, Director Lin, I’ll go back and discuss it with my spouse."

"Okay, even if he doesn’t attend, make sure you do.

This is your first company dinner party since you joined.

Not to mention, after all the challenges the company faced last year, surviving through it, the CEO and his wife said they wanted to celebrate properly.

In such a joyful event, it wouldn’t look good for you not to attend; you understand what I mean, right?"

Ivy had no excuse to avoid it, so she nodded, "Okay, I understand, Director Lin.

I’ll discuss it with my spouse tonight; if he has time, we’ll go together. If he doesn’t, I’ll go alone."

"Alright, that’s a relief. I’ll leave you to your work then."

Ivy got up to see Director Lin out.

That evening at home, she brought it up with Henry Sullivan, and as she expected, he was outright against it.

"That company’s matters have nothing to do with me; I’m not going.

If it weren’t for you promising your father to return to work, I wouldn’t let you go to such places at all.

If you don’t want to go, I can call them and let them know."

Ivy shook her head, "No need, I’m actually quite fond of getting into the mix usually."

Though she didn’t want to attend the party, it was true she liked being where the action was.

"It’s better to stay out of such ’action’."

Ivy laughed, "Actually, Dad wants you to come. I figure if I go alone, he and Mom might not be too pleased. If you’re not that busy, why not come with me? Besides, I could use your help clearing up some rumors."

"Rumors? About you?"