Chapter 325:
“It’s not a crime to be slow,” Freya remarked, her eyes narrowing as she observed Vivien’s drawn-out resignation process. “The real crime is being slow and never trying to improve.”
Vivien’s eyes stung with unshed tears, her humiliation mounting. What gave this woman the right to treat her like this?
Without a moment’s hesitation, Freya snatched the resignation form from Vivien’s hand and then handed it to Hugh for his signature.
“Your final paycheck will be wired to your account soon,” Freya said, her tone indifferent. “You can leave now.”
Vivien was livid, her face flushed with indignation.
She could feel the eyes of everyone on her, their silent mockery weighing on her like an anchor.
She clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms.
Hugh, watching the unfolding scene, cleared his throat awkwardly, mentioning he had other matters to attend to before quickly exiting the room. He didn’t want Vivien to make any more false moves, particularly calling him “Dad” in front of everyone. He didn’t want others to misunderstand, nor did he want Freya to misunderstand. The moment Hugh left, the tension evaporated, replaced by an air of gossip.
“I swear, for a second, I thought the chairman was her father.”
“Me too.”
“Vivien, now that you’re out of here, maybe it’s time to get serious. No company runs on charity; they need real competence.”
Vivien’s temper flared, her pride wounded. “Do I need you to lecture me?” she snapped once Hugh was gone. “Even if I don’t work, my dad will still give me pocket money.”
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“Is Mr. Briggs really your dad?”
“Seriously, if he was your father, how could he let you resign like this?”
“Maybe your dad’s too busy, so Mr. Briggs had to step in.”
“Our chairman’s last name is Briggs, not Garza.”
“What if she took her mother’s surname?”
“Vivien’s mom’s maiden name is Newman.”
Vivien’s frustration deepened as the gossip buzzed around her. Her hatred for Freya grew in that moment.
She turned to face the group, her voice dripping with scorn. “Mr. Briggs isn’t my biological father, but he is my stepfather. If I ever want to return to Briggs Group, he can find a job for me whenever I like. Even if I do nothing but show up and clock in, I’ll make more than any of you.” She spat the words out, desperate to assert her superiority.
Freya, already prepared to leave, halted in her tracks. Vivien’s words had struck a chord.
The chill in her demeanor deepened.
Neither she nor Ethel had ever flaunted their connection to Hugh or used it to elevate themselves in others’ eyes. Vivien, however, clearly hadn’t learned a thing.
“As far as I know, your mother and Mr. Briggs aren’t legally married, are they?” Freya turned on her heel, her voice carrying the weight of truth. “In that case, what kind of stepdaughter are you?”
Vivien’s temper flared once again.
She ground her teeth in frustration, firing back with all the conviction she could muster, “Who told you my mom and Mr. Briggs didn’t get their marriage certificate?”
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