"Yes." The receptionist finally answered after staring at Lily Yu for several seconds. Once Lily took off her sunglasses, the girl felt she looked familiar, but she couldn't remember from where.
"Are you new here?" Lily crossed her arms, smiling slyly. "Let me give you a piece of advice, sweetheart. Before you start working for any major company, learn who the important people are. Otherwise, you'll offend someone without even knowing it."
"Are you here to see Mr. Cross?" the receptionist asked. She searched her entire memory and could not find any 'important figure' that matched Lily Yu. In fact, she looked like one of those women who tried to cling to the CEO.
"Yes."
"I'm sorry, but I can't let you in unless Mr. Cross calls down." The receptionist's voice hardened with professionalism.
"You dare stop me?" Lily's brows lifted sharply. "Do you even know who I am?"
[System: … Please maintain your elegant persona.]
"I don't care who you are," the receptionist replied, though she looked a little nervous. "You can't enter without Mr. Cross' permission."
"Fine." Lily raised her hand—the very obvious intention to slap the girl written across her face.
But before she made contact, a firm hand caught her wrist.
"Madam, there's no need to get angry with a new hire. Mr. Cross is upstairs," said Ethan, Jason's secretary, who had rushed down after security alerted him that Lily was causing trouble.
Lily immediately withdrew her hand at the mention of Jason's name. Her fury faded, replaced by cold arrogance.
"Hmph. Next time, the company should be more careful when hiring. Don't pick up any fools off the street."
Ethan bowed slightly and smiled without a hint of discomfort. "You're right, Madam. I'll pay closer attention."
"Let's go." Lily flicked her wrist dismissively and headed straight to the private elevator. She'd been here countless times—she didn't need anyone to guide her.
"Whew…" Ethan watched her leave and finally exhaled. Behind him, he heard muffled sniffling. He turned around, frowning. "Why are you crying?"
"It's nothing," the receptionist said, wiping tears that wouldn't stop. She looked pitiful enough to win an Oscar.
"You've only been here a few days, right?"
"…Yes."
"Go back and look through the employee list again," Ethan advised patiently.
"O-okay…"
After he left, her emotions slowly settled. She wiped her face with a tissue, then opened the company group chat—"Cross Group Big Family ♥"—and typed shakily:
[Receptionist: Sob sob sob…]
Instantly, the chat exploded.
**[HR Angel]: What's wrong, gorgeous??
[Sales Dept Old Iron]: Who bullied you?
[Assistant Manager Peach]: Tell us!
[Receptionist]: …I just feel wronged.
[Finance Big Yellow]: I heard the CEO's wife is here??
[HR Cutie]: OMG why is she in the company??
[HR Angel]: Receptionist just joined. She probably doesn't know Madam.
[Receptionist]: I didn't know… I stopped her… I'm so stupid.
[Finance Big Yellow]: Did she hit you??
[Receptionist]: I'm fine. I might… take tomorrow off.
[Everyone]: WHAT HAPPENED???]
She closed her phone, unable to face the flood of messages.
Everyone in the company knew who Lily Yu was—and the rumors between her and Jason Cross. They also knew better than to get involved.
But right now, the entire building was buzzing because Lily Yu was upstairs, tearing into a woman.
Upstairs — CEO's Office
"You slut! How dare you flirt behind my back? I'll teach you a lesson today!"
"Ah—! Please—stop—" The woman on the floor tried to crawl away, but Lily grabbed her again. Long scratches streaked the girl's neck, alarming red against pale skin.
Everyone in the company talked, but no one dared step in.
After several strikes, Lily paused.
Something felt off.
Why wasn't Jason stopping her?
She looked over.
Jason Cross was sitting exactly where he had been when she barged in—behind his desk, suit perfect, expression unreadable, watching them like a scene in a documentary.
"What the hell?" Lily thought, chest heaving. "Is this man seriously just sitting there enjoying the show?? Does he not have a heart??"
"I'm exhausted," she muttered. "I've never been this tired even while filming action scenes."
When Jason still didn't move, she threw her hair back and huffed. "Fine! If that scumbag won't stop me, then I'll stop myself! If I keep going, I'll actually hurt someone."
Hands on hips, breath unstable, she glared at the woman crumpled on the floor.
"Get out! I never want to see you again. If I do, I'll beat you up every time!"
The woman—Dora, the newly hired finance manager—had cried herself hoarse. She lay on the floor trembling, her makeup a mess, looking pitifully at Jason.
"Mr. Cross…"
Jason's voice dropped to a dangerous cold.
"Didn't you hear what my wife just said?"
Dora froze.
Jason continued, "Get. Out."
"…"
Lily blinked.
Huh??
"What??" she thought. "Why is he taking my side?? That's not how this plot was supposed to go!"
Dora scrambled out of the office, heels clacking unevenly.
Lily stared, completely unprepared for this outcome.
In truth, she had seen Dora sitting on Jason's lap when she walked in. Clearly, Dora had a crush and was trying to seduce him. It was a perfect scenario for Lily's divorce plan.
She had even made sure not to scratch Dora's face—she wasn't actually trying to ruin the woman's life. She just needed enough drama to start a fight with Jason and bring up divorce naturally.
But Jason…
Wasn't following the script.
"Jason… don't you have anything to say?" Lily demanded, eyes instantly filling with tears. "Why was that woman on your lap?"
Jason: "…"
He waited.
She continued dramatically:
"Are you giving me the silent treatment? Hoping I will be the one to file for divorce?"
Jason's jaw twitched.
Lily pointed at him, trembling in outrage and theatrical heartbreak.
"Hmph! You probably want to divorce me so you can go chasing Molly, right? Let me tell you—give up on that dream!"
She jabbed her finger at the air as if declaring war.
"I will NEVER divorce you. Not in this life!"