The Contract Said No Strings Attached (Charlotte) novel Chapter 161

Linda froze, stunned by the sudden outburst. She’d expected Director Porter to take her side, not unleash a tirade right in front of everyone.

Her face drained of color. Shamed, she bowed her head, unable to even lift her eyes as tears welled up, blurring her vision.

Director Porter didn’t let up. “You think bringing the CEO an afternoon snack is going to get you anywhere? You haven’t accomplished anything worth noting—you just waste time on showy gestures. Look at Raina: hardworking, reliable. Why can’t you be more like her?”

Linda bit her lip, resentment and anger churning inside her, but she didn’t dare talk back. Instead, she seethed silently: This is all Raina’s fault. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t be getting reamed out right now.

Director Porter caught the stubborn look on Linda’s face and grew even more irritated. “Still not convinced? Why don’t you take a good hard look at your recent performance? Your mind’s never on your work, just on currying favor with the CEO. Is that what we hired you for?”

All around them, coworkers watched in tense silence; a few even snickered. Linda felt utterly humiliated, desperate for the floor to swallow her up.

Director Porter finished with a warning: “This time, I’ll let it slide. But if it happens again, you can clear out your desk.” With that, he turned and walked away.

Linda finally looked up, shooting Rebecca a venomous glare.

In her mind, every bit of blame lay squarely at Rebecca’s feet. She was convinced Rebecca must have bad-mouthed her to the boss, turning Director Porter against her.

Back at her desk, the more Linda stewed, the angrier she became. She vowed to find an opportunity to get even.

During lunch break, when Rebecca went to the break room to get a drink of water, Linda followed her in.

“Don’t get too smug, Raina,” Linda said coldly.

Linda, her insecurities exposed, shrieked even louder. “You’re the one taking shortcuts! You’re so two-faced—pretending to be nice while stabbing people in the back!”

Rebecca rolled her eyes, done with the drama. “Honestly, trying to reason with you is a waste of time.”

She turned to leave, but Linda refused to let her go, grabbing her arm, her voice growing hysterical. “You’re not going anywhere! We’re settling this, right here, right now!”

Rebecca yanked her arm free. “Let go. I have nothing more to say to you.”

Linda, enraged by Rebecca’s resistance, lost control. In a sudden, heated motion, she raised the mug in her hand and hurled scalding water straight at Rebecca.