2

Although Yvonne joined the company to assist Benjamin personally, she was not given any real responsibilities. She did nothing but stroll around the company, win her friends over, and, when the time came, have lunch with Benjamin. 

As Benjamin had instructed, Yvonne only needed to look as lovely as a flower. 

Naturally, Yvonne had other plans to get Hazel into trouble as well. 

Hazel had no choice but to put up with it. 

Ben came into their office in person in the afternoon. 

"Benjamin." Yvonne gave Benjamin a quick smile as soon as she saw him. "Are you done with your meeting?" 

"I am, indeed. Benjamin replied with a smile, "I'm here to have lunch with you. His arm slid easily around Yvonne's waist. He led Yvonne past Hazel, completely oblivious to her, and out of the room. 

With her eyes fixed on their clasped hands, Hazel followed her gaze. 

No one knew the depth of her inner misery whenever Benjamin and Yvonne displayed such a public display of affection in her presence. 

Hazel's nails were digging into her skin as she squeezed her hands so hard. But all she experienced was numbness. 

Hazel took a deep breath and learned to regulate her emotions. Quietly, she consoled herself. This was not the first time, after all. Why bother becoming upset at this point? 

"If I can't even put up with this, how can I stay employed by this company?" she wondered. 

Hazel noticed that new blood was dripping from her hands as she bent over to arrange the papers on the table. She reached for a piece of paper almost instinctively to clean her cuts. 

Zen Tanner appeared in the room shortly after that. "Hazel, I recently learned that President Lucas has once again embezzled funds from your salary," he said. How come you didn't tell me you don't have enough money to eat? Let's go grab some food, come on." 

"Anyway, I'm trying to lose weight and I'm not hungry. I have no desire to eat. You're free to continue," Hazel said. In actuality, she was terrified that she would run into Yvonne and Benjamin at the third-story restaurant. 

"Avoid telling me you're not hungry once more. It's been a few days since you last had lunch, have you? Do you not fear that you will starve your body to death? You'll be merely handing Yvonne the victory if that actually occurs." Zen ignored the fact that Hazel had refused. After grabbing her, he left the office. 

Hazel was not hungry in the first place. But Zen was correct. "I would be letting Yvonne win if I really fall sick from starving myself," she thought to herself. 

She went to the third floor after Zen. 

After dining for half an hour, Benjamin and Yvonne left the private room. 

Hazel heard those around her express their jealousy, but she lacked the courage to glance up at the couple. 

Yvonne's eyes flashed as she saw Hazel. 

She smiled and let go of Benjamin to walk over to Hazel. "Miss Stewart, I have a gift for you," Yvonne said as she produced a bracelet from her bag. I had tried to give this to you before, but you wouldn't accept it. I'm hoping you'll accept it in front of everyone this time. Let's put in a lot of effort and support Benjamin going forward, shall we?" 

Yvonne had never made an attempt to gift Hazel anything. Her words were only intended to draw attention to Hazel's pettiness and to emphasize her kindness to those in their immediate vicinity. 

"I don't need it," Hazel snubbed her with abandon. 

'Why would I possibly accept anything from Yvonne?' she wondered. 

She noticed happiness radiating from Yvonne's eyes when she looked up. 

Sure enough, she was the talk of the town. 

"Hazel Stewart really doesn't know where she stands," someone said. 

"How dare she act so arrogant when Miss Taylor is personally offering her a gift?" someone else commented. 

"The president's true girlfriend is Miss Taylor." Where does Hazel obtain her courage? truly admire her. 

"The entire company is aware of her activities, in fact. It truly amazes me how a self-centered woman like her can survive in this world." 

"I've heard that on Yvonne Taylor's first day here, Hazel Stewart made threats. I'm not sure how she mustered the courage to behave in such a way." 

"Miss Stewart, are you saying you don't want to work harmoniously with me?" 

Yvonne's voice became agitated very fast. She went on, "I know that you detest me, but I just want to do my job well." 

'She wants to do her job well?' Hazel wondered. 

She desired to chuckle. 

Has Yvonne accomplished anything in the last few days? 

Yvonne wanted to be by Benjamin's side no matter what, so she plotted nonstop to join the company. 

similar to Hazel herself. 

Hazel's reputation within the company was not favorable. She could not be bothered to defend herself and showed no concern. 

Hazel dipped her head back and carried on devouring the rice in her bowl. 

Zen could not bear to watch this any longer. He got to his feet. But Hazel stopped him before he could say anything. It's not required, she declared. 

Hazel was aware that Zen was acting in her best interests. 

But she was employed at MC Enterprise, where Benjamin was the chief executive officer. Yvonne had also secured a position as his assistant. Even if Zen was not fired right away, he would face difficulties in the company if he attempted to defend Hazel at this time. 

Benjamin felt a surge of anger in his chest as he saw Hazel's lack of interest. 

He believed that this woman was genuinely ignorant. 

Benjamin moved to the front. After picking up the band from the table, he turned around and dragged Yvonne along. He spoke in a chilly tone, "She's not worthy of such an expensive gift." 

"I know I shouldn't give away the bracelet that you bought for me, Benjamin, but I really had nothing but good intentions," Yvonne said, turning to face Hazel and making sure she was loud enough for her to be heard. All I want is to stay with the company and be at your side." 

Hold on a moment... 

"That band was a gift from Benjamin?" Hazel wondered to herself. 

Hazel took a deep breath. 

Benjamin had never given her anything in their three years of marriage—not even a flower leaf, much less a band. 

But today, Yvonne was going to present her with a band that Benjamin had purchased for her. 

She knew that Yvonne intentionally did it. 

Hazel did not hear a word of Benjamin's subsequent response. 

Zen called Hazel's name multiple times, "Hazel, your palms are bleeding!" but he was unable to convince her to come back to her senses. 

When Zen quickly opened her hands, she discovered that she was bleeding from the palms. 

Hazel's nails went deep into her skin, causing the cuts. 

Hazel snapped to reality and withdrew her hands in a hurry. "Let's get back to work now that we've finished our meal." Hazel got up and walked out at that point. 

Zen hastily followed Hazel, concerned for her safety. "Please don't frighten me, Hazel. You're losing a great deal. "Let me treat your cuts while we head back to the office," he said. 

Hazel said, "I'm fine, just ignore me." She was no longer feeling the pain. 

Zen questioned, "How can you possibly be fine?" "I know that you're upset, you can cry or talk to me, but please don't suppress your emotions." 

"I'm okay," Hazel reiterated. 

Observing Hazel's lifeless expression, Zen experienced a mixture of fear and rage. 

Sensing that Hazel had no intention of stopping her stroll, Zen yelled, "Hazel Stewart!" loudly. 

Hazel stopped in her tracks for a moment when she heard the sudden volume of his voice. Zen gave her a backhanded sneer. "Would you mind looking at what you've become? Over the last three years, you have become more submissive and accommodating." 

"You were exuberant, self-assured, and proud once. The most attractive girl in our school was you. Of the male students, half of them were interested in you. You were also the best student in our class; the teachers thought highly of you, and the other students looked up to you. You had stated back then that you aspired to be the biggest star in the design industry. You desired to gleam brightly while taking center stage on the global scene. You were the moon, that's for sure, but you became just another grain of dust to a man like this." 

"You gave up on design, gave up on your dreams, and instead chose to stay beside Benjamin, making coffee for him every day!" 

"When are you going to wake up, Hazel Stewart? How come you treat yourself so disrespectfully when Benjamin doesn't love you?"