My dress wasn’t never meant to be sultry “seductive” at all! It’s what I wear so I can meet clients at any time. How could my dress be as not decent as Elsa makes it sound?
Besides, what kind of “pretty face” stays up all night writing project proposals, with dark circles she can barely hide?
Seeing that Elsa wouldn’t let the matter go, Elias sighed helplessly. “Ms. Torres, from tomorrow on, wear pantsuits to the office.”
I glanced at the extremely hot weather outside before nodding without much expression.
It would be a lie to say I didn’t feel bitter.
When I was young, after my mother passed away, I nearly drowned from my own grief and distraction. It was Elias Weber who saved me. So when I decided to gain some experience before inheriting my family business, I chose to work in his company.
Even when the Webers’ group was at its lowest point, I stayed by Elias’s side, helping him bring it back from the brink of death. The two of us were simply boss and subordinate. We were friends, work colleagues.
One time, he even joked with a smile, “If we’re both still single at 30, I’ll throw you the grandest wedding ever.”
I never took that seriously. But now, I suddenly realize—he’s not as good as I remembered him to be.
Elias invited the executives from Stars Bright Group to a dinner party at an exclusive club. As one of the core person-in-charge of the project, I was also invited to attend.
What I didn’t expect was that Elsa Abend would be there too.
She was wearing an out-of-place sailor-style school uniform while sitting beside Elias. While I was discussing the project details, Elias nodded in agreement with my points.
Perhaps feeling left-out, Elsa pouted and said in her sickeningly sweet voice, “Ms. Torres, you're so impressive, huh? You can help Eli land such a big deal.”
“I wonder, did you drink your way to success? We really should thank you for all your sacrifices for the company.”
The room immediately fell silent.
Then, I replied lightly, “Ms. Abend, you really like to joke around. This project’s success happens because of Mr. Weber’s leadership, the executives’ decisions and our team’s professionalism.”
Elsa smirked suggestively. “Oh, I must’ve missed something then. You're so capable Ms. Torres! I bet you've handled plenty capable men too.”
“You must have a great tolerance for alcohol. Don’t be so uptight, now. Come, have a few drinks with the gentlemen.”
Her vulgar humor wasn’t just childish, it was downright stupid!
Elias frowned at that. “Elsa, that’s enough.”
She stomped her foot playfully, lifted a glass of wine and held it toward me. “Eli, do you like this vixen so much now? You even protect her when I just ask her to drink?”
Then, while pretending to lose her balance, she deliberately spilled the wine all over my chest. The cold liquid soaked through the fabric instantly. Soon my curves got revealed.
Elsa gasped while her malicious smile was impossible to hide. “Ms. Torres, my hand slipped! I’m so sorry!”
“Anyway, you’ll be drinking with them later, right? Being a little wet just adds to the fun.”
Her words were full of mockery as if I were nothing more than a cheap hostess.
Everyone always assumed there was something more than friendship between Elias and me, we were close enough but not lovers.
But I knew better what think about him. I had always seen Elias as someone I could trust completely.
When the company’s finances collapsed, I stayed up for months, fighting for investments until I landed one. I even drank with clients until I got sick and bleeding from the stomach. And when I was caught in an earthquake while traveling for work, Elias rushed into the disaster zone against evacuation orders just to find me.
Even my father was surprised that someone who has high trust issue like me could trust anyone so deeply. Now, that same man didn’t lift a finger to stop Elsa’s unacceptable behavior.
I looked down at the mess on my chest, as my eyes were turning cold.
A few business partners quickly tried to smooth things over.
