Chapter Four

Marilyn walked back toward her department with heavy steps. The hallway felt longer than it had that morning. When she reached the open area, the atmosphere had completely changed. Heads turned in her direction. Whispers spread quickly across the floor. Even people from other departments seemed to have heard what happened. Many gave her pitying looks, as if she had already been handed her termination letter.

Claire stood near her desk and simply shook her head without saying a single word. The disappointment in her eyes was clear. Sandra, her direct supervisor, crossed her arms and stared at Marilyn with a sharp expression.

“What have you done on your first day?” Sandra asked. “I thought you were smart.”

Marilyn felt the weight of those words settle on her chest. She understood the look perfectly. It was the kind of look that said her short time at Stewart Global Resorts was already over.

She had ruined everything before her career had even started. Tears burned in her eyes. She tried to hold them back, but the staring became too much. Especially from the group of young women who watched her with open jealousy.

Some of them began to laugh.

“I thought she was special,” one said loudly enough for everyone to hear. “I didn’t know she just got lucky. Hard luck, girl.”

Another round of laughter erupted.

A second woman added, “Your legs can level you up. But when it comes to the actual work, you are bound to fall.”

More laughter followed. The sound cut through Marilyn like knives. She could not hold back any longer. Tears slipped down her cheeks, and she began to sob openly right there in the middle of the department. The humiliation felt worse than anything Simon had done to her on her birthday.

One girl, a pretty blonde who looked close to Marilyn’s age, stepped forward with genuine concern. She placed a gentle hand on Marilyn’s arm. “It is fine to make mistakes,” she said softly. “Don’t worry. You will not be fired. I promise you.”

Marilyn appreciated the kindness, but she knew the words were only meant to comfort her. Nothing could fix this. She pulled away and hurried toward the restroom. She locked herself inside one of the stalls and let the tears fall freely.

“Why me?” she whispered through her sobs. “Of all the people in this world, why him?”

The man she had thought belonged only to her past now stood at the center of her present. For two years she had tried to forget that night. She had convinced herself he was just an escort, someone skilled at what he did.

The memory of his touch had haunted her quiet moments, but she had pushed it down. Now it turned out he was Raymond Stewart, the powerful CEO of the company she had dreamed of joining. How had she walked into the wrong room that night? The realization made her feel sick.

She bit down on her finger to keep from crying louder. That single mistake was about to destroy everything she had worked for. She was sure he had recognized her. Or maybe he had not? She shook her head. A chill ran down her spine either way.

None of it mattered now. She had spilled coffee on the CEO on her very first day. She would be fired. What was left of her career after this?

While Marilyn stayed hidden in the stall, the restroom door opened. Two women walked in, their voices loud and casual. At first they laughed about something unrelated. Then the conversation turned to her.

“Did you hear what happened to the new girl?” one asked.

“Of course. It was bound to happen,” the other replied nonchalantly. “She was not qualified to be up here on her first day of work. That was expected.”

“Some women think their beauty can get them whatever they want,” the first woman continued. “At least that one will learn it does not work that way here.”

They laughed again, finished their business, and left the restroom. Their words hurt Marilyn deeply. She waited until she was sure they were gone, then wiped her face and tried to pull herself together. She could not stay hidden forever. It was better to leave with whatever dignity she had left before security escorted her out.

Marilyn returned to the department looking more refreshed. She had fixed her makeup and straightened her blonde wig. Without saying a word to anyone, she walked to her desk, picked up her bag, and headed for the elevator. No one tried to stop her.

The moment she disappeared around the corner, Claire walked back into the area.

“Where is Marilyn Oxford?” Claire asked, her voice urgent.

The jealous young women laughed. “Finally, she is getting fired,” one of them said with clear satisfaction.

Claire’s eyes widened. “Where is she?”

Everyone turned their attention to her. One of the excited women answered, “The poor thing just left. She knew there was no more hope for her.”

Claire pressed a hand to her forehead. “How can she leave without getting any feedback from me? Shit. This girl will get me sacked.”

The room grew curious. Several people leaned forward.

“Can someone go and fetch her back before she gets us all fired?” Claire asked.

The nice blonde girl who had comforted Marilyn earlier bolted away immediately. She looked genuinely eager to help, the only one who seemed to truly like Marilyn despite barely knowing her.

Sandra walked in at that moment and noticed the tension in the air. “What happened?” she asked.

Claire turned to her, still looking stressed. “Mr. Stewart just promoted the new girl to work directly with him.”

Gasps filled the entire hall. All eyes turned to Claire in shock and anger.

“And if we fail to deliver the girl by tomorrow morning, we are all fired,” Claire continued. “That was what Madison just told me. I have her transfer documents right here, signed by the CEO himself.”

The shock that followed was immediate. Silence settled over the department for several long seconds. No one had expected this. The same women who had laughed at Marilyn now stood stunned, their jealousy turning into open disbelief. Sandra’s mouth opened slightly, but no words came out. The entire floor seemed frozen by the news.