Chapter 22

Marlon was on the other end of the line,practically buzzing with excitement.

But Emily, who had just walked out of Patrick's office, couldn't care less. All she wanted was to finish the project and get the hell out of the Rivera Group. What used to be a place of dreams had turned into her suffocating cage.

"Marlon, I'm really beat today. Can we talk about this tomorrow?"Emily cut himn off without hesitation.

There was a brief silence on the other end.

"Alright, get some rest. Call me back when you're feeling better!"Marlon finally said.

"Okay," Emily replied.

She hung up and slumped into her office chair, looking utterly exhausted.

What should she do next?

Leaving the Rivera Group, where would she go?

Before she could think further, her phone rang again.

She glanced at the screen; it was a call from the rehab center where her mom was staying.

"Hello, is this Lisa's famnily member?"

"Yes, I'm her daughter." Emily said, her voice uneasy.

"We found contraband among your mother's visitation items. We need you to come over as soon as possible to help us understand the situation," the voice on the other end was calm and serious.

Emily's heart sank. Contraband? Her mom had voluntarily decided to go to rehab this time, so how could this happen? But she didn't have time to think it over. She grabbed her coat and was ready to drive to the rehab center.

Before she could leave, Shirley barged into her office, blocking her way.

"Emily, it's been so long! Did you miss me?" Shirley said smugly.

Emily had no patience to deal witha Shirley right now.

"Didn't you learn your lesson last time? Or do you need another reminder?" Emily said calmly,frowning.

"Emily, how can you talk like that! Looks like the police didn't teach you well enough, you arrogant bitch." Shirley glared at Emily.

"Not pretending anymore? I have something urgent to do today,no time to watch your performance!" Emily tried to leave.

"Don't be in such a hurry, Emily. Don't you want to know what happened while you were on leave?"

Before Emily could respond, Shirley continued.

"The HR department already approached me. The board thinks I've

been doing well lately and plans to make me the head of the secretarial team!" Shirley said proudly. "I have to thank Patrick.Without his personal guidance day and night, I wouldn't have made it!"

Emily frowned and gave a wry smile.

The Rivera Group was a well-known company nationwide, with strict hiring standards in recent years. Even graduates from prestigious schools needed to have completed their own projects to get an interview. But Shirley, a graduate from Evergreen University, a second-rate college, had no projects, no interview, and got into the company directly. And now she was up for a promotion? Not to mention what Patrick was thinking, how could the board members...

Though Emily found it unbelievable, considering Patrick's favoritism towards Shirley, it seemed like something he would do.

"So what? What does that have to do with me?" Emily said calmly.

"Emily, you're so hypocritical! You always looked down on me."Shirley stepped closer to Emily.

"Don't be so self-righteous. We're actually the same kind of people,"Shirley whispered maliciously. "I know how you became the team leader! Just by sleeping with men!"

Emily stayed silent, her face calm.

"Too bad, Patrick only has eyes for me, and you're just a tool. He'll use you when he needs you and toss you aside wvhen he doesn't."

Emily had no time for this. She needed to get to the rehab center and didn't want to delay any further.

Shirley turned and blocked the office door.

"Emily, your brother's incident last time was too light. I wonder if my gift to Lisa has been received?" Shirley's smile was sinister.

Emily's face changed.

"Did you put the contraband in my mom's visitation items?"

Emily took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.

"What? Got caught? What a pity, I wanted Lisa to have a good taste!"

Shirley stepped closer, taunting Emily, "I love seeing you in pain.But if you dare to do anything to me, Patrick won't let you off!"

Mentioning Patrick, a flash of pain crossed Emily's eyes. Given everything that had happened, she couldn't help but believe Shirley might be telling the truth.

"Shirley, just remember, this is the last time I'm putting up with you!"Emily said,gritting her teeth, her voice firm.

"Oh, I have a bad memory! Whether there's a next time depends on your behavior," Shirley said nonchalantly.

Emily gave a cold laugh and turned to leave.

Shirley quickly caught up and blocked Emily's way again.

"The show hasn't started yet, you can't leave!" Shirley said word by word.

Before Emily could react, Shirley pushed her hard. Emily instinctively grabbed Shirley, who stumbled back and knocked over a standing rack by the door.

The loud noise drew the attention of the people in the meeting room.

Patrick frowned, and the vice president, Steven Harris, hurried out to check.

He saw the fallen rack, Shirley on the floor, and Emily standing there in shock.

"Mr. Harris," Shirley cried even louder upon seeing Steven.

Steven, as the company's vice president, had seen all kinds of situations. He knew this was typical drama. But knowing Shirley's relationship with Patrick, he knew this could get complicated.

As Steven was thinking about how to report this to Mr. Rivera,Patrick appeared in the hallway.

Seeing Shirley on the floor next to the wooden rack, Patrick rushed over, "Are you hurt?"

Shirley cried pitifully, "Patrick, I think I upset Emily, and she..."

"What did I do?" Emily snapped back.

Shirley pretended to be scared and clung to Patrick. He gently stroked her face, "Shirley, don't be afraid, it's okay now."

Then he turned to Emily, his face dark,"Look at what you've done!"

Emily had no interest in explaining to Patrick or watching Shirley's performance. She just wanted to get to the rehab center as soon as possible.

"She fell on her own. If you don't believe me, Mr. Rivera, you can check the surveillance footage." Emily walked out.

"Emily,how dare you talk to me like that..." Patrick started to stop her, but Shirley grabbed his sleeve.

Emily ignored Patrick's shouts and left.

She had more important things to do now.

Patrick, furious, wanted to chase after her, but a weak voice beside

him said, "Patrick, my foot hurts, I can't walk!"

Patrick looked at Emily disappearing down the hallway, feeling a sense of loss.