The morning meeting was incredibly torturous.Cordelia felt Jesse’s suggestive gaze lingering on her, as well as Karine’s hostile gaze stabbing her like a knife.When the meeting ended, before Jesse could talk to her, she smiled politely and left the meeting room by making up an excuse.Before she went far, she heard Karine’s enraged voice coming from inside.“What’s gotten into you? Can’t see anything else once you meet that b*tch? Is that it? You’re incorrigible!”Cordelia felt her heart thump.She told Linda about it at noon, surprising the latter. Linda had not expected such a coincidence either. The company was very big, yet Cordelia had bumped into the two of them.“Be careful now that you ran into them,” Linda said in a lower volume. “Cordelia, I’m not in sales, so it’s hard for me to put in a good word for you. And Karine’s uncle is a shareholder. She’s used to her ways… Basically, life won’t be too easy for you in the future. You’ve got to watch out!”“Mm, don’t worry.
“The sales department is one of the most important departments in the company.” Karine purposely began to mock her during the meeting. “If certain people genuinely are untalented at sales, it’d be best not to hog the seat and leave the opportunity to more capable people!“Our company isn’t a retirement home. All of you know better. People who haven’t closed a single deal and only make the basic salary should really consider a way out soon!”Cordelia kept her head ducked. The frown between her brows remained there the entire afternoon.When she went home after a day’s worth of exhaustion, she was greeted like a boss by Marcus, who was on his phone on the couch, once she entered. The kitchen was empty, and there was not even a glass of drinkable water.The grievances Cordelia had held in for some time finally broke through the dam.“You… didn’t make dinner?”Marcus shifted his gaze away from the phone. The small woman in front of him had a slightly red face as she panted, her chest
Before Cordelia could reject the suggestion, she was pulled out of the house by Marcus. She was silent the whole journey, as she quickly thought about what they could afford to eat on her minuscule salary.She sneaked a peek at Marcus. The man had been broke and impoverished, so he probably had no idea about Jangasas’ hotels and restaurants.Given his budget standard, she might be able to satisfy him with some street food. Some stalls provided limitless staples too, so he would definitely be full.Cordelia smiled with her head lowered.She had been frugal since they had gotten married, picking cheap groceries whenever she shopped. Despite that, she had once heard an old servant of the Jenners say that young married couples feared nothing but the disappearance of passion. It would be helpful to romance each other occasionally.In that case… she thought they could be carefree for once today, so she would buy him a meal outside.When Cordelia looked up again, though, she realized th
Cordelia was visibly fazed, and her heart drummed. Had he discovered something? Or had he heard others saying the Jenners had completed the marriage pact by using an illegitimate daughter? Had they said that he had married an impersonator and not the treasured heiress of the family?Men had pride too and hoped to marry a rich and beautiful girl—not a pauper like her.Cordelia hung her head as her hands clenched the hem of her clothes anxiously. She kept telling herself that she must not admit it. Marcus had been in jail for fighting… The consequences would be unimaginable if he were to kick up a fuss about it!“Hah, what would I have to say?” She looked at him with sparkling eyes and racked her mind for ways to change the topic. “Oh, right, I haven’t made any sales this month, so I’ve got to work harder next month! I… I might not be able to come back and cook as often. You’ll be fine taking care of yourself?”“Mm, I’m not a child. Of course, I’ll be alright.”Marcus smiled and gav
Josiah was actually befuddled.The Bayers were quite influential in Jangasas, but not to the extent that they could dig through small companies. Besides, it would attract attention if he did so by using his status. If it turned out that he had pressured William Jenner and caused a certain someone to misunderstand him again…Josiah coughed and chuckled awkwardly. “Z, there’s no problem, but let me make it clear now that if someone makes things up in the meantime and claims I’m having some kind of affair with your darling dearest and whatnot, you can’t buy it—Ow!”Fredric hit his head before he could finish.…Cordelia worked harder during her second month at work. She now had a basic understanding of some workforce survival rules and knew how to avoid Karine picking on her. She also knew how to protect herself from both Jesse’s direct and implicit harassment by avoiding interacting with him in the office.Unfortunately, this drained her energy so much that she was exhausted every
Linda could not bear to watch Karine pick on Cordelia in the office, so she took her out for some sales, introducing all her clients to her. She also taught her a lot of negotiation techniques.“You’ve got to remember. Business isn’t a one-time deal. You might have to meet and negotiate a deal eight or ten times. It’s all normal.”Cordelia nodded.“You have to keep your engagement with the clients going all the time. They’ll only close the deal once they’re familiar with you!”“Mm, I understand.”“Most importantly...” Linda said with a smile. “You’ve got to be shameless when it comes to sales! Set your pride aside. Then, you’ll be able to feed yourself. Got it?”Cordelia’s pretty eyes crinkled up like crescent moons. The monitor in front of them displayed their order number, so she hurried over to collect their meal from the counter.Lunch was simple fast food. Linda realized that Cordelia’s order was the cheapest option, which only included one entree, and could not help asking
“Linda, you don’t understand,” Cordelia said with a smile. “He’s actually quite nice to me…”“Nice?” Linda arched a brow, looking skeptical.Cordelia told her about returning the wedding dress the day after their wedding, getting humiliated by the sales assistant, and then having Marcus buy the most expensive wedding dress in the boutique out of anger before making the sales assistant measure her on her knees.She had thought that the man was shady, egoistic, materialistic and had anger issues. Most importantly, he was wasting Cordelia’s savings!“Cordelia, if you think that him standing up for you at the bridal boutique and giving you some family heirloom is considered being nice, you’re too naïve and you have no idea what marriage is!“A marriage requires effort from both people—not you working your *ss off here while he reaps the fruit you sow, idling away back at home!”Linda poked Cordelia’s head, frustrated by her compliance. She was a good girl, a little too nice, even. On
Marcus was seated on the rooftop of the Regalia Hotel, the cigarette between his fingers almost finished. The view was scenic, the faraway ocean glimmering as white yachts dotted the surface and seabirds circled the sky above.His phone buzzed on the table with a text notification of a fund transfer—$400 had been deposited.Josiah exchanged a smile with Fredric and exclaimed, “Z, you lucky b*stard! Sis-in-law isn’t just pretty. She’s willing to spend money on you too! Hahaha!“It’s the first time you’re spending a woman’s money, right? Does it feel great?”Marcus glared at him and put his phone back. Although his face was blank, warmth gushed within him. He had not expected Cordelia to really transfer him the money. He had calculated it, and she only had $400 in her account.He stubbed the cigarette in the ashtray and cast his gaze far away, a complicated look flashing across his features.“Right, Z,” Fredric said in a hushed tone. “It isn’t convenient for Josiah to do it, so I’m