Chapter 7
The entire office stared at her in horror, as if seeing this quiet, reserved CEO's wife for the first time. Hadn't they freely discussed her deceased parents in front of her without ever hearing a word of retaliation?
Margaret's lips twisted into a mocking smile. "My health and capabilities aren't for you to judge. If you want to laugh at my expense, you'd better make sure you're qualified to do so."
The impact of Margaret's words lingered in the Strategic Development Department for the entire day.
By the next day, the office atmosphere had subtly shifted. The once-obvious looks of contempt had noticeably diminished.
Margaret paid no attention to this. She sat in her corner, headphones on, blocking out all external sounds.
Her computer screen displayed real-time financial market data she had pulled up herself. The alternating red and green curves felt more real to her than the faces of her colleagues.
Near noon, department manager Owen rushed to Jennifer with a document in hand.
"Ms. Barnes, we have a problem! The draft I gave you yesterday afternoon—the CEO's office just called asking for it. Mr. Neville needs to review it today, but... I can't find it anywhere!"
Jennifer's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, her face showing perfectly calibrated surprise and concern.
"Mr. Adams, don't worry. I thought some data needed verification yesterday, so I handed it to Margaret. She's a senior member of our department and surely more familiar with these matters than I am. I wanted her expert opinion."
As she spoke, her gaze shifted to Margaret in the corner.
Owen hurried to Margaret's desk, his tone urgent. "Margaret, where's that report? Mr. Neville is waiting for it. If we delay this, our entire department will be in trouble!"
Margaret looked up calmly. "I've never seen any report."
Before her words settled, Jennifer approached, her face showing a trace of hurt. "Margaret, how can you say that? I personally handed it to you, right on your desk. You were wearing headphones, so maybe you didn't hear me, but I definitely left it here."
Rena immediately chimed in, "I think I saw it too. Ms. Barnes did come over here yesterday afternoon."
"Yes, I saw it as well!" A chorus of agreement rose throughout the office.
Owen was sweating profusely. "Please think carefully and look again! This is no joking matter!"
Margaret's gaze moved from Owen's anxious face to Jennifer's innocent expression, then swept across the onlooking colleagues. She understood perfectly.
She didn't even bother searching through the documents on her desk.
The report certainly wouldn't be there. What good would arguing do? They would only believe what they wanted to believe—Jennifer, brought in by Richard, could do no wrong.
A wave of weakness washed through her body. The aftereffects of removing the IV needle last night hadn't subsided, and her stomach ached dully.
She barely had the strength to speak. Her heart had long since grown numb to pain.
She gave up. She would be leaving soon anyway.
Margaret leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes, refusing any further communication. To everyone watching, her silence was as good as an admission.
Owen was utterly despondent. He had no choice but to reluctantly escort Jennifer to the CEO's office to face the consequences.
The entire Strategic Development Department received an official reprimand, with all monthly bonuses revoked.
The office erupted in lamentations, with all resentment silently directed at the figure in the corner. Margaret had become the department's scapegoat.
During lunch break, Margaret went to the break room to make a cup of hot tea to soothe her stomach.
Around her neck was a light blue silk scarf—Matthew's first gift to her, purchased with his first part-time job earnings. She had treasured it all these years, rarely using it.
"Margaret, all alone?" Jennifer entered gracefully with a freshly ground coffee, as if the morning's unpleasantness had never occurred.
Margaret ignored her and turned to leave.
Jennifer suddenly exclaimed in surprise. Her hand tilted, and the scalding coffee spilled directly onto Margaret's scarf.
The liquid quickly saturated the silk, leaving large stains. The burning temperature stung Margaret's skin.
"I'm so sorry, Margaret! I didn't mean to!" Jennifer immediately grabbed napkins, pretending to help clean up.
Her mouth apologized, but her eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "This scarf looks like quality material—must have been expensive. What if it can't be cleaned properly?"
"How about I replace it with a new one? Hermès has lovely new designs this year. Richie says they suit me perfectly, and I'm sure you would look beautiful in one too."
Every word was a boast, every syllable a provocation.
Margaret stared at the ruined scarf. This was, after all, the first gift Matthew had ever given her.
A sharp, resounding slap echoed through the silent break room.
Jennifer held her cheek in disbelief, her eyes instantly reddening.
Margaret shook her stinging hand, her chest heaving dramatically. She didn't care about her job or her reputation, but Jennifer had no right to touch her belongings!
Just then, the break room door opened. Richard's tall figure appeared in the doorway.
Fresh from a meeting and heading to the lounge, he hadn't expected to witness such a scene. The executives behind him froze in place.
Seeing Richard, Jennifer's tears fell like broken pearls. "Richie, I didn't mean it! I accidentally stained Margaret's scarf and was trying to apologize, but she..."
She covered her reddening cheek, her words broken and filled with grievance.
Everyone watched expectantly, assuming Richard would erupt in anger and rush to defend Jennifer, his apparent love interest.
However, Richard simply stood there, brows furrowed, his gaze fixed on Margaret. Looking at her bloodless face and the red marks on her neck where the coffee had burned her, his expression grew complex.
Surprisingly, he didn't immediately react.
Seeing his hesitation, Jennifer grew anxious. She bit her lip and played her trump card.
Pointing at the stained scarf around Margaret's neck, she said tearfully, with seeming innocence, "I know Margaret treasures this scarf. I'll replace it, of course, but this particular style was part of an old couple's collection. It might be hard to find..."
Couple's collection. So it was from Matthew.
The atmosphere around Richard instantly dropped to freezing. So that explained everything—the morning's missing report, the slap just now—all because of Matthew!
His gaze turned icy as he approached Margaret step by step.
"Margaret, who gave you the audacity to strike someone in this company?"
Margaret met his gaze, her lips moving but unable to form words.
"Apologize."
At his command, Margaret's body stiffened. Richard was ordering her to apologize to Jennifer? Demanding that a wife apologize to her husband's mistress?
