CHAPTER 127: THE RUMOURS

Braelyn’s POV

Genny didn’t move an inch until Joey was gone.

After he told Amber of his supposed engagement, she was equally stunned, unable to believe him.

"But you..." She stuttered, blinking slowly, unable to find the right words to say. Joey forced a smile.

"My mind is made up, besides, it’s for the family, and I genuinely hope it will work. You have let go of this obsession with chasing someone who will never look your way. You should do the same before it is too late." He sounded genuine like a silent plea

Joey’s eyes still carried that tender look often seen in those who are in love. He still loved her but was ready to push everything behind

Amber clenched her fist with her head bowed. "I can’t.." she managed to say with a broken voice. He nodded as if he understood the pain

"I guess you have made your decision." He said in finality before his gaze shifted to our direction. Genny and I immediately hide. I could feel the tension in her bones as she leaned against the wall clutching her blouse

"You don’t think he saw us. Do you?" She asked. I glanced at her and couldn’t help but find her actions weird. Genny was a gossip monger, without a doubt, but this felt more than just a hunger for gossip.

"Are you alright Genevieve?" I asked her, and she froze, giving a shocked expression.

"Don’t I look fine..." She narrowed her eyes on me. My lips parted then closed. I was unable to find the right words. I wanted to mention how she acted out of habit and how her subtle body reaction suggested something but she decided against it

Maybe I was just overthinking.

"It’s nothing. My head is hazy.." I brushed off everything. She didn’t push me to say what I really had in mind despite knowing clearly I was lying.

After a while, we peeked from behind the wall again, and Joey was gone, leaving just Amber, who was staring into the empty space. Genny nodded at me then we strode down the hallway

Our soft footsteps snapped Amber from her dazed state. Her head snapped behind her and as soon as she saw me. She turned ugly as she had just seen her biggest enemies.

Amber didn’t say a thing and just stared like she was planning my murder. Her gaze gave me chills. I tried my best to ignore it and continue on my way out.

Just before we were about to step out she finally spoke..."Just because he favours you doesn’t mean anything. You truly have no idea what you are getting yourself into "

Her words struck me. Before I could freeze, Genny grabbed my hand and pulled me away until we got outside, the afternoon sun struck our eyes, and luckily, it wasn’t hot because of the season.

Genny stopped then glanced at me. "Don’t think about that. She is just talking like a loser." She cautioned me before we split ways

*****

I headed back to the company and swamped myself in work until closing hours came.

A soft text notification drew my attention from my laptop. I immediately realised it was already 5:30...30 minutes past closing time, and I was completely engrossed in work to even realise how much time had gone by...

Juliet didn’t even mention a time either.

It was a text notification from Lucien.

Lucien: I am already waiting in the car. Don’t tell me you are working overtime.

I sighed then immediately sent a reply

Lynn: I am heading down now

With that being done. I quickly got ready to close for the day. Outside on the secretary’s desk, I ran into Juliet who had just finished packing up.

"Are you heading for the elevator ma’am?" She asked politely following behind me with a soft smile

"Yes..." I replied. We walked down the hallway, and I noticed some junior staff from my department whispering about something. The moment they noticed me they clamped their mouths.

My gaze shifted to Juliet who was following behind me. I gave her a quizzical look and she immediately understood without me even asking her directly. She jogged right to my side and said with a low voice...

"Rumours have it that the Voss collaboration the company is partnering in with Miss Amelia Sinclair is facing some challenges ...I am not sure of the details, but it doesn’t look pretty..." She explained. We arrived at the elevator and I pressed the call buttons

"Joan is the one who is handling the project, isn’t she?" I asked. My brows furrowed remembering how exhausted Amelia looked lately. It was a bit surprising she might be facing challenges with her project because after all, she was hailed as a business genius and not just that.

Originally, according to whatever twisted plan they had, I was the one who was meant to handle the project, but I pushed it to a junior staff member, Joan. Although she had less experience, she was good at her job. This made the situation more fishy...

What has gone wrong and why wasn’t Raphael stepping in yet? Was he unaware of the situation?

"Joan is the one handling it. They were actually hitting it off together without a problem so everything is rather confusing..." Juliet replied. The elevator doors slid open and we both stepped inside

Since it was closing hours it was pretty packed. The others recognised me as Raphael’s wife and created some space for Juliet and me.

Juliet was still whispering to me. "Although I firmly believe it might be nasty rumours since it is a major contract but there was one piece of information that made this uncomfortable." She said looking aggrieved

Her voice was very low; even in this cramped space, it was hard for the others to overhear us. "What other piece of information?" I asked genuinely curious now

Something flickered in her gaze. It looked like pity and hesitation. That look made my stomach twist. Although our relationship was mostly formal, Juliet acted as my secret ears for rumours. The look she had on her face right now was familiar.

She had that look whenever she heard something nasty about me.

Juliet leaned towards my ear and then covered her mouth as she whispered. "They say you are the one trying to sabotage her and deliberately spreading the rumours." My eyes went cold immediately.