Chapter 469:

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“Since you’re done, let me clear up a few things,” Joslyn continued evenly. “First, Trenton and I are nothing more than boss and subordinate, as well as coworkers. Everything you’ve been speculating about is unfounded and untrue. Second, I earned those projects and that competition slot with my own professional ability and past work. If you have doubts, go check my résumé and portfolio, or ask Trenton directly. Using rumors and guesswork to erase someone else’s hard work is low.”

After a slight pause, she said, lifting her hand, “Third.” The ring on her finger caught the restroom light and reflected a soft glow.

“My husband is not Trenton. My husband and I love each other very much, and our marriage is steady. So stop making baseless assumptions and spreading lies. I don’t want my husband to hear those rumors and get hurt because of them.”

The two women felt their faces burn so fiercely they wanted to disappear on the spot.

Joslyn looked at them and said, “I hope this is the last time I hear anything like this. If there is a next time, I won’t mind taking the formal route and filing an HR complaint for workplace slander and spreading false rumors. I doubt the company encourages that kind of environment.”

After saying that, she stopped looking at them, tossed the used paper towel into the trash, straightened her collar, and walked out of the restroom.

From beginning to end, her back stayed straight and her bearing never wavered.

𝗦𝘵𝗈𝗋𝗶𝘦𝘀 yо𝗎 𝗐о𝗻’𝘵 𝘱𝘶𝘁 do𝘄ո on 𝗴al𝗻оv𝖾𝗹𝗌.𝘤om

Only after she had disappeared through the restroom door did the two women dare to breathe again.

“Oh my god, her presence just now was terrifying.”

“We’re doomed. Do you think she’ll really report us?”

“She probably won’t, right? Didn’t she say this was the last time?”

“Let’s get out of here, hurry. And don’t ever talk carelessly like that again.”

Muttering under their breath, they didn’t even bother fixing their makeup. They washed their hands in a rush and hurried out of the restroom.

Back at her desk, Joslyn picked up her cup and took a sip of warm water. As the heat slid down her throat, the discomfort in her lower abdomen seemed to ease slightly.

The afternoon’s work was harder for her to get through than usual.

The dragging pain in her lower abdomen came in waves. It wasn’t severe, but it was constant, like a small hammer tapping away inside her again and again.

This period seemed more painful than usual.

She held on until the end of the workday, when the office slowly filled with the sounds of people packing up.

Joslyn shut down her computer, straightened the documents on her desk, and rose to her feet. The moment she stood up, her vision blurred. She gripped the edge of the desk and closed her eyes, waiting for the light dizziness to pass.

Her phone screen lit up with Connor’s call.

“Hello?” Joslyn answered.

“Are you off work yet?” Connor’s low voice came through the receiver.

“Yeah. I was just about to head out.”

“Come downstairs. Let’s leave work together today. I’m taking you somewhere.”

“Okay. I’ll be right down.”

After hanging up, the irritability brought on by her period faded, replaced by a sudden burst of anticipation.

She slipped on her coat, drew her scarf closer, and stepped through the revolving doors of the office building. The evening wind wrapped around her at once.

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