Chapter 121
“Ms. Selena, I’m sorry, but your card doesn’t have enough funds,” the cashier said apologetically.
This was Selena’s payroll card. She’d already crunched the numbers: the bonuses from her last couple of gigs, the little extra she’d managed to save from Everett, and the hundred grand she got today from Everett. It should’ve been more than enough to snag that watch S
How could it possibly not be enough?
With a frown, Selena clutched the card, her mind racing. It took less than a minute for her to figure out where the snag might be.
Her expression turned icy as she pulled out her phone and dialed Everett directly. The dial tone hummed in her ear, but nobody picked up–it just rang and rang until she finally hung up.
With an exasperated sigh, she dialed Derick next. This time, Derick answered quickly, his voice polite. “Madam, how can I help you?”
Trying to keep her cool, Selena asked, “Where’s Everett?2
In Bennett Corporation’s CEO’s office, Derick glanced up at the spacious desk ahead. Behind it, a suave and sophisticated man leisurely flipping through documents. His phone lay face down on the desk.
As an exceptionally professional assistant, Derick knew better than to expose his boss‘ shortcomings. His job was to ease his boss‘ burdens, after all.
With a tinge of reluctance, he responded, “Madam, Mr. Bennett is in a meeting right now If it’s urgent, I can pass on a message for you.”
Selena let out a dry chuckle, thinking how they hadn’t even bothered to come up with a new excuse after all these years. Her smile was all surface as she said, “Derick, put me on speaker.”
Derick hesitated. Oh boy, Selena had become so sharp, making things tricky for him. He kind of missed the days when she’d believe anything.
Holding the phone uncertainly, he turned to Everett for guidance. “Mr. Bennett, your wife wishes to speak with you.”
Everett tossed his pen onto the desk, leaned back, and lazily lifted his eyelids. Crossing his long legs with an air of elegance, he nodded slightly. “Go ahead.”
Feeling relieved, Derick quickly put the phone on speaker and set it on the desk, stepping back to avoid being caught in the crossfire.
“What’s going on?” Everett’s indifferent voice came through the phone, causing Selena to clench her fists. But now wasn’t the time to blow up. She took a deep breath and got straight to the point.
“Why haven’t I received my paycheck this month? What’s the deal?”
Everett propped his chin on one hand, replying in a businesslike tone, “I’m a businessman, not a philanthropist. Your salary’s on hold since you didn’t hit your KPIs this month. Once your performance picks up, you’ll get it next month.“”
“What?” The reason was so ridiculous that Selena was momentarily a
at a loss for words &
After a moment, she laughed in disbelief. “How exactly did I not meet my KPIs? I went with you to a wedding, and you ditched me for another woman! I stayed behind to cover for you and made sure to keep up appearances with your grandfather. Not only did I meet the KPIs, I went above and beyond!“”
She felt like she deserved a round of applause for her dedication!
Everett was unfazed, reiterating coolly, “Selena, let me remind you our contract states that the final interpretation rights to Party A, which is me.”
Meaning that if he decided she hadn’t met the KPIs, then she hadn’t. No matter how stellar her performance, it couldn’t trump his word. Selena felt anger boiling within her, her chest heaving and hands shaking. No matter how dignified his words seemed, they couldn’t hide his true motive: petty revenge.
She had turned down his advances, so he was peeved and decided to strike where it hurt–her wallet.
