Rich Radiant and Over Him (Alicia and Vincent) novel Chapter 569

Jade said nothing, offering no reaction.

But her restraint only emboldened her tormentor. “Jade, how do you even have the nerve to show your face here? Everyone in the company knows what you and your father pulled. Coming back after all that—aren't you ashamed of yourself?”

Jade took a slow, deep breath, still refusing to engage.

“If I were you, I wouldn't even have the face to keep living,” the coworker sneered, relentlessly pressing the attack.

“Then why don't you go jump off the roof?” Jade finally looked up, her gaze locking onto the woman.

It was genuinely laughable. “I'm the one who lived through it, and I'm not drowning in shame. What gives you the right to feel embarrassed on my behalf? If you have this much free time, try focusing on your actual job. I seem to recall you're the genius who manages to mistype contract numbers. If you have the nerve to keep breathing, why shouldn't I?”

In the past, Jade's aggression had been explosive and unchecked; she rarely wasted breath bickering with underlings.

But putting people in their place like this? It was actually incredibly satisfying.

“Hmph. Let's see how long it takes for Director Shelton to throw you out,” the coworker snapped, her face turning ugly as she stormed out the moment the elevator doors opened.

Jade exhaled deeply, wondering how long she could actually endure this toxic environment.

“Jade, you're handling the liaison with Lynch Corporation today. Their project lead is Natalia. You need to coordinate with her.”

Out on the floor, most people were too busy to harass her.

But the moment Jade heard the name Natalia, every hair on her arms stood up.

Jade knew she wasn't a strategic mastermind, especially against someone as purely malicious as Natalia.

Snapping back at petty coworkers was one thing, but engaging in psychological warfare with Natalia was entirely out of her league.

Massaging her aching temples, she knew she still had a job to do.

Natalia laughed out loud. “What are you going to do? Throw it back? The second you retaliate, this partnership is dead in the water. What do you think Alicia will say? That you came back to be a team player? No, they'll think you sabotaged the deal on purpose.”

Jade stood frozen, swallowing her rage until her eyes grew red-rimmed.

Just as she was forcing herself to choke down the humiliation, a glass of water was abruptly hurled directly into Natalia's face.

Natalia let out a piercing scream, leaping out of her chair, ready to unleash a torrent of curses—until she locked eyes with Alicia.

Alicia placed the empty glass firmly on the desk and offered a cold smile. “You practically begged for someone to throw it back. Besides... you assaulted my employee in my own building. Even if you were begging to sign this contract, we'd have to reconsider working with you.”

Jade stared at Alicia in shock, taking a long moment to process the scene.

She had never expected Alicia to defend her.