Chapter 13 Villain

• “From today onward, Stella will be the new leader of the First Planning Department, everyone. Mr. Adler has a very high regard for Stella’s professional abilities, so he has recommended Stella to take his position after he was promoted to planning director. The official letter of appointment has been approved, so I hope everyone can give her a warm welcome.”
• The deputy general manager of their branch company announced Stella’s promotion enthusiastically. Beside him, Stella’s makeup was elegant and beautiful; as she smiled politely in front of Diane, the latter tensed up and almost went stiff as a rock.
• NG Enterprise was quite a large scale listed company, and Diane worked in the planning department along with Norman and Stella. Norman used to be the leader for the Second Planning Department, whereas Stella and her were both regular employees in the First Planning Department.
• Just half a year ago, Norman was commended by the company for his outstanding performance. With that, he was promoted to planning director back in the headquarters. Unexpectedly, he’d successfully helped Stella to become a team leader in their branch company before he even barely settled into his new position.
• More importantly, Stella was now Diane’s direct supervisor—from the looks of it, Diane’s days to come would be quite unpleasant.
• Around her, applause of flattery from the other staff members erupted excitedly. Stella stood up tall and patted her protruding belly as she stared at Diane like a triumphant general who had just won a war.
• Soon, Diane finally put her hands together and clapped along as she wore a stiff smile.
• “All right—since it’s Monday, I know that everyone is busy with work. We’re all quite familiar with each other already, so I don’t have much to say. In short, let’s work hard together from now on and boost the performance of our department. I’ll be sure to allocate extra bonuses for all of you at the end of the year.”
• Stella was eloquent, and another round of applause sounded in the office after she concluded her speech. When the clapping died down, she looked toward Diane with a smile.
• “The supervisor’s office has been empty for some time now, plus I’m not in good shape to move around at the moment. Could you bring some water and mop my office, Diane?”
• Right now, Stella was the leader whereas Diane was just a regular staff member under her supervision. How could she say no?
• Moreover, the deputy general manager was looking right at her.
• Diane could only bite the bullet; she forced a smile at Stella and said, “Of course.”
• “Thanks a lot.”
• With that, Stella turned around pretentiously and went over to say a few words to the deputy general manager before heading into her new office.
• Meanwhile, Diane went to the storage room before going to the supervisor’s office with a bucket and a mop. Inside, Stella was standing by the desk with a hand rested on the edge and another on her belly. She looked at Diane with a face full of arrogance and mockery.
• “Sorry about this, Diane. You know that I’m a clean freak, so please mop the floor clean, okay? Oh, wipe the desk and chairs as well; exposure to dust is bad for the baby.”
• Then, she stroked her belly gently. Diane proceeded to wet the mop in the bucket without responding to a word she said.
• All in all, her pay at NG Enterprise was quite reasonable. Her father was still in the hospital right now, and she was also planning to return all of Christopher’s money that she’d used. Thus, this wasn’t the time for her to be stubborn at work.
• “If I were you, Diane, I would’ve been too ashamed to continue working here. How are you still holding up?” Stella mocked her, her voice light as a feather. Diane had just started mopping the floor; when she heard Stella’s provoking words, she looked up at her and smiled slightly.
• “Since you’re not ashamed to quit, why should I leave? Anyway, is a piece of moldy bun enough to make you that happy, Stella?”
• “Haha…”
• Stella let out a wicked chuckle. “You must be so jealous of me that you feel the need to deliberately lower Norman’s worth. He’s the planning director of NG Enterprise—his annual pay is over a million. Ah, right—remember the tiny apartment that the two of you bought? He’s already listed it for sale. We’ve already decided on our new house—it’s in an affluent neighborhood in the heart of the city. You’re a failure as a woman, Diane. I feel really sorry for you.”
• Diane’s grip around the mop tightened as she tried to swallow the urge to fling it at Stella’s face.
• “Why don’t we place a bet, Stella?”
• “Oh? What kind of bet?”
• Stella seemed to be interested in the proposal; she stared at Diane scornfully.
• Diane lowered her gaze as she said, “If I’m able to find a man who’s a thousand times better than Norman, I win—if I win, you’ll have to leave NG.”
• “Did you say that you’ll be able to find someone better than Norman? You’re a secondhand wench who doesn’t even know whose child you were pregnant with—would anyone even marry you?”
• Diane’s words sounded like a funny joke to Stella; she was bent over with laughter as she clutched her belly energetically. On the contrary, Diane was nonchalant to her extreme reaction. She said calmly, “Just wait and see—I’m just worried that it’d be too embarrassing for you when it’s time for you to leave.”
• At that moment, she gave the mop a harsh push and knocked it into Stella’s foot. A sharp pain shot up her foot and she quickly moved aside while holding onto the edge of the desk. Diane continued to mop the area where Stella was occupying on purpose; in return, Stella was forced to go around the desk in one full circle. At last, Diane put away the mop at once when the woman finally sat down on the chair.
• “All right, I’m done mopping the floor. If there’s anything you’re still unsatisfied about, Miss Mayfair, it’s best you keep it to yourself. You don’t want to find fault with your employee on the first day of your promotion—it may affect your reputation.”
• With those words, Diane left the office with the bucket and the mop. Stella stared furiously at the thick layer of dust on her desk as she sat on the chair.
• Diane, you b*tch! How dare you act all high and mighty under my nose. Just wait and see—I’ll get you one of these days.
• She clenched her fist and slammed it against the desk. The sudden momentum sent a layer of dust into the air, choking her and making her cough uncontrollably.
• Just then, she seemed to remember something all of a sudden; after giving it a thought, a sly smile crept up her face. With that, she finally calmed down from her hysterical mood swing.