The Rumor Behind My Promotion

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At the celebration banquet for my promotion to Director, I was just about to give my speech.

A usually quiet male colleague suddenly interrupted me.

Miss Harper, congratulations!

But I noticed your walking posture hasn't been quite right lately. The gap between your legs has widened by at least two fingers.

"Is it because things got too intense in bed at night, leaving you unable to close your legs properly?"

As he spoke, his eyes lecherously scanned my lower body.

The private room instantly fell silent, followed by knowing laughter from everyone present.

"I knew her rapid promotion wasn't normal. The Chairman is eighteen years older than herexactly the type of woman he likes."

"No wonder he always calls her into his office alone, and they stay there for two hours at a time. Turns out they were doing that..."

Mr. Richard Harper awkwardly tried to explain, but I stopped him with a raised hand.

I stared at my male colleague, smiling instead of showing anger.

"I don't know if the gap between my legs is wide or not, but I do know that eighteen years ago, Mr. Harper did something significant."

Kyle froze for a moment, then burst into laughter, his gaze sweeping back and forth between me and Richard Harper.

He slapped his thigh, laughing uproariously.

"Miss Harper just confessed without even being pressed!"

"You even know intimate details about Mr. Harper's private life from eighteen years ago? Looks like this relationship has been going on for quite some time."

He paused, his gaze shifting toward Richard Harper's lower body.

"Seems like you even know exactly how many hairs Mr. Harper has down there."

The private room erupted in laughter, with several male colleagues exchanging knowing glances.

"Kyle, you just don't get it. Miss Harper here is demonstrating her core competitive advantage!"

"Exactly! We work ourselves to death chasing sales targets, but Miss Harper just needs to spread her legs."

"What do you call that? That's called winning while lying down!"

Mr. Richard Harper's face flushed red instantly. He slammed his wine glass on the table.

Just as he was about to stand up, I pressed down on his hand under the table.

I shook my head at him.

I swirled the wine in my glass, looking at Kyle.

Seeing Mr. Harper remain silent, Kyle approached me reeking of smoke and alcohol.

He held a pair of greasy forks, gesturing left and right toward the area between my thighs.

"Miss Harper, since we're all so familiar now, there's no need to be coy."

As the fork tips were about to touch my skirt hem, he narrowed his eyes.

"Come on, share your experience with the guys."

"Just how wide do your legs need to spread to jump three levels in three months?"

"Looking at this gap, I bet you could fit two forks in there with room to spare, right?"

"Did Mr. Harper's size stretch you out that badly?"

Some female colleagues looked down, while others curled their lips in disgust.

"Kyle."

I suddenly spoke.

"What? Has Miss Harper come to her senses? Going to give us a demonstration?"

Kyle smirked as he leaned closer.

Splash!!

I backhanded my glass of red wine directly into Kyle's face.

Wine dripped down his hair, flowing into his eyes and nostrils.

"Ahh!! My eyes!"

Kyle screamed, covering his face as he stumbled backward, his lower back knocking over a chair.

"Fuck! You dare throw wine at me?!"

I pulled out a tissue and wiped my hands, looking at him coldly.

"Kyle, your mouth is so filthy, someone needs to clean it out."

"If I hear one more word of garbage from you, next time it won't be wine I throw in your faceit'll be acid."

Kyle roughly wiped his face, glaring at me with bloodshot eyes.

"Evelyn Harper! You whore!"

He pointed at my nose.

"Who the hell do you think you are? You're just a slut who slept her way to the top!"

"A bitch like youMr. Harper is just playing with you for novelty!"

"When he gets bored, you'll be nothing!"

"Security!"

Richard Harper kicked his chair back.

"Throw this trash who can't keep his mouth shut out of here! Now! Immediately!"

Kyle looked at Richard Harper and suddenly let out a strange laugh, his gaze shifting between the two of us.

"Oh, oh! So Mr. Harper is protecting his little mistress now?"

"Fine, I'll leave!"

"But I'm telling you boththis isn't over!"

"Our company may be private, but we don't tolerate this kind of dirty business!"

"Let's see how you explain this to Mr. Harper's wife!"

He was dragged out by security.

Before leaving, he glanced back at me, silently mouthing, "Wait."

After everyone dispersed, Richard Harper had the driver bring the car to the back entrance.

The atmosphere in the car was heavy.

He handed me a bottle of water.

"Evelyn..."

"I shouldn't have let him humiliate you like that just now."

I didn't take the water, staring at the retreating streetscape outside the window.

"If you fire him now, you'd actually be harming me."

Richard Harper's hand froze in midair.

"But he..."

"He's an old hand in the sales department, holding several major clients."

I turned my head.

"If you fire him now because of me, what will people in the company think?"

"Besides, just firing him won't satisfy my need for revenge."

Richard Harper sighed.

"So what do you plan to do?"

I leaned back against the seat and closed my eyes.

"Let him make a scene. Those whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad."

"If I don't send him to prison, my name isn't Evelyn Harper."

The car drove out of the alley.

In the rearview mirror, I saw a figure hiding behind a trash can, flashing something at the car.

The next morning.

The receptionist kept her head down, pretending to organize files.

As I passed the break room, the whispered conversations stopped abruptly, followed by mocking laughter.

"Look, there's that gold-digging slut with legs two fingers apart."

"Shameless. That was Mr. Harper's car last night, wasn't it? Getting in his car late at night."

"And they went to that secluded spot on Back Street."

"I heard Kyle got so angry he fell ill. This woman will do anything to climb the ladder."

"She even dares to bully a veteran from our sales department. All legs, no brains."

I walked straight toward the Director's office.

Pushing open the door, my steps halted.

My desk was a complete mess.

Written on the desk in red permanent marker were large characters: "Gold Digger," "Bitch," "Whore."

A doctored AI image was pasted on the monitor screenmy face photoshopped onto a naked body.

Below it read: $500 per night, first choice for promotions and raises.

Scattered across the keyboard and mouse pad were torn condom wrappers and some sticky fluid.

I clenched my fists.

"Oh my, Miss Harper, what's wrong?"

"Did one of your sugar daddies get too enthusiastic last night and leave something behind?"

I turned around.

Kyle was leaning against the doorframe, twirling a ruler in his hand with a gloating expression.

Behind him, colleagues crowded together to watch the spectacle.

I looked at the intern, Madison.

She was holding coffee. Our eyes met briefly before she looked away.

She turned and poured the coffee into the trash can.

"Oops, this coffee is dirty. Can't serve it to people."

"Kyle, did you do this?"

I pointed at the desk and asked.

Kyle shrugged.

"Hey, you can't just make accusations."

"I'm just passing by. Probably some vigilante who couldn't stand your behavior and decided to deliver justice."

He walked toward me with the ruler.

"But Miss Harper, since everyone's so curious, why don't you satisfy everyone's curiosity?"

He approached me and suddenly crouched down, extending the steel ruler toward my skirt!

"Come on, let's measure on the spot and see if it's really two fingers wide!"

"Let everyone see just what it takes to land a five-million-dollar deal!"

"Ahh!!"

Someone in the crowd shrieked.

I lifted my foot and stomped hard on Kyle's wrist with my high heel!

Crack.

"Oww!!!"

Kyle screamed, and the steel ruler flew from his hand.

Covered in cold sweat, he clutched his wrist and rolled on the floor.

"She's hitting people! She's killing me! The slut is hitting people!"

He cried out to those around him.

"Everyone look! This is guilt! She's lashing out in humiliation!"

HR Manager Victoria pushed through the crowd and entered.

"Evelyn Harper! Have you lost your mind?!"

She didn't even glance at the words on my desk, rushing straight to Kyle's side to help him up.

"As a Director, assaulting a colleague in the companythis is extremely serious!"

Victoria pointed at me.

"Evelyn Harper, on behalf of the company, I'm issuing you a severe warning!"

"Apologize to Kyle immediately and compensate him for medical expenses! Otherwise I'm calling the police!"

"Call the police? Fine, go ahead!"

I pulled out my phone, opened the camera, and aimed it at my desk, the lens sweeping across every person watching the spectacle.

"Perfect timing for the police to see who's sexually harassing whom, who destroyed property, and who insulted my dignity!"

Victoria's expression changed.

She lowered her voice.

"Evelyn Harper, don't think you can do whatever you want just because Mr. Harper has your back!"

"Mr. Harper has a reputation to maintain! If this blows up and the police come, the media will expose it."

"People will only say Mr. Harper's mistress was hitting people at the company!"

"When that happens, you'll see whether Mr. Harper protects you or protects the company!"

Richard Harper strode down the corridor with a dark expression.

The crowd automatically parted.

Seeing Richard Harper, Kyle forgot about his hand pain and crawled over to hug his legs.

"Mr. Harper! You must give me justice!"

"I was just showing concern for Miss Harper, and she kicked my hand until it broke! How can someone like this be a Director!"

"You can't indulge her just because she's your... you know!"

Richard Harper's chest heaved, his gaze moving between me and the words on the desk.

Just as he was about to speak, I gave him a look.

Richard Harper forcibly swallowed his anger.

"Security! Take Kyle to my office! I have questions for him!"

"Also, clean this place up!"

"Anyone else who gossips gets fired!"

Richard Harper hauled Kyle away.

Less than ten minutes later, a new version spread through the company's private chat groups.

Kyle sent a voice message.

"Guys, I'm fine! Mr. Harper called me in to placate me!"

"He even praised me for being sensible, said that woman is good in bed and he's not done playing with her yet, told me to be patient for now."

"He said as long as I don't make this public, he'll transfer her away next month, and then everyone will get to enjoy her!"

The voice message played on speaker, clearly audible throughout the entire office.

Countless gazes stabbed into my back.

I sat at my cleaned desk, fingers tapping the keyboard lightly.

The screen reflected my cold eyes.

That evening, the notoriously lecherous supplier, Mr. Davis, arrived.

Kyle uncharacteristically came to my office and slammed a file on my desk.

"Miss Harper, Mr. Davis specifically asked to see you."

"He said he's heard our company's newly appointed Director is a great beauty, and tonight you must personally handle the negotiation."

"Otherwise he won't sign this five-million-dollar contract."

Kyle's wrist was wrapped in gauze, his face full of wrinkled smiles.

"This is a key project for the company this year, and Mr. Harper values it highly."

"Miss Harper, you're so capablethis kind of situation shouldn't be difficult for you, right?"

I closed the file and smiled at him.

"Since Kyle thinks so highly of me, I'll definitely secure this contract."

Kyle froze, then snorted coldly and walked out.

That evening, at the Regal Club.

Mr. Davis's eyes lit up the moment he saw me.

He pushed away the woman beside him and patted the empty seat.

"Oh, so this is the beautiful Miss Harper! You're even more charming in person than in photos!"

"No wonder Richard keeps you hidden away and won't bring you out. Come, come, sit next to me!"

Kyle poured me a full glass of wine.

"Miss Harper, Mr. Davis is our golden goose. You need to keep him happy."

"Once Mr. Davis is happy, the contract is a done deal."

Mr. Davis understood, grabbing my hand and stroking the back of it.

"I heard Miss Harper has excellent business capabilities, and your nighttime services are quite skilled too?"

"Kyle told me you're particularly... uninhibited?"

Laughter filled the room.

I suppressed my disgust, withdrew my hand, and picked up the wine glass.

"Mr. Davis, you jest. Let me toast you, hoping for pleasant cooperation in the future."

"Eh, drinking is boring."

Mr. Davis pressed down on my glass and leaned in, reeking of alcohol.

"Let's do something more exciting."

"I've long heard about Miss Harper's legendary leg skills. Kyle says those legs of yours are particularly good at gripping."

"How about thisyou perform a split on this table right here, and I'll sign the contract immediately."

Kyle egged him on.

"Exactly! We're all friends here, why put on an act?"

"The gap's already openwhat difference does spreading them one more time make?"

"As long as you satisfy Mr. Davis, I guarantee I'll look after you at the company."

Sensing something was wrong, I quickly pressed the record button on the voice recorder in my pocket.

To be safe, I also sent a message to my emergency contact.

"Mr. Davis, I'm here to discuss business, not to perform."

"If you're not sincere, we don't need to sign this contract."

"Stop pretending!"

Mr. Davis suddenly stood up, grabbed my hair, and yanked my head back.

"Playing hard to get, are you? A used slut acting all high and mighty!"

"I'm going to inspect the merchandise today and see if you're worth the price!"

His other hand reached for my collar to tear it!

I grabbed the wine bottle and smashed it on Mr. Davis's bald head with a crash!

Mr. Davis screamed and collapsed on the sofa, clutching his head and rolling around.

Kyle was stunned, not even noticing the cigarette that fell from his mouth onto his pants.

I gripped the broken bottle neck, pointing it at Kyle who wanted to rush forward.

"Move one more step and I'll stab anyone who comes near!"

I threw down the broken bottle, straightened my clothes, and turned to run out of the room.

But before I could touch the door handle, a sharp pain shot through my scalp!

"Bitch! Hit Mr. Davis and think you can run?!"

Kyle grabbed my hair and violently dragged me back to the center of the room.

"Hold her down!"

Mr. Davis, clutching his bloody head, also pounced on me, pressing me hard to the floor.

I struggled desperately, but was pinned down firmly by the two men.

They violently tore open my jacket.

"Acting like some virtuous woman! I'm going to inspect the goods right here in front of everyone today!"

Mr. Davis's eyes were bloodshot, and his filthy hands were about to completely tear my shirt.

I tried to scream in terror, but Kyle covered my mouth tightly.

"BANG!"

Just then, the heavy door of the room was violently kicked open from outside!

A woman in an elegant dress, exuding an air of authority, strode into the room radiating coldness.

Behind her followed more than a dozen bodyguards in black.

Kyle froze for a moment.

But after seeing who it was, not only did he show no guilt, he rushed forward like he'd found a savior, his face full of flattery.

"Mrs. Harper! You're finally here!"

He pointed at me, disheveled on the floor, and shouted:

"Mrs. Harper, I've been wanting to report this to you!"

"This vixen is using her looks to seduce Mr. Harper!"

"She's a cancer in our companyyou must eliminate this threat to the company!"

Mr. Davis and the hostesses outside the room all stopped, ready to watch the spectacle of the legitimate wife tearing apart the mistress.

Mrs. Susan Harper walked up to me.

She saw my torn clothes and my legs covered in bruises from struggling.

The room instantly fell silent.

Kyle clenched his fists and laughed viciously.

"Hit her! Beat this shameless..."

SLAP!!!

A loud crack.

Kyle's face instantly swelled on one side, his lip split and bleeding.

He covered his face, looking at Susan Harper in disbelief.

"Mrs... Mrs. Harper... you hit the wrong person, right?"

"I'm helping you! That vixen is..."

SLAP!

Susan Harper backhanded another slap, and a tooth flew out mixed with blood and saliva.

She looked at Kyle, then coldly swept her gaze over Mr. Davis nearby.

"Who gave you the nerve to touch her? Do you have a death wish?"