No Escape from Love novel Chapter 140

This dinner cost a fortune.

"If we're going to gossip, then nothing's juicier than the rumors about Serena and Mr. Hastings." Mia swirled the red wine in her glass with an air of elegance. "Isn't that right, Serena?"

I was confused. "What rumors?"

"Come on. Don't pretend." Mia's graceful demeanor vanished in an instant. "You've been cozying up to Mr. Hastings, haven't you? Otherwise, as just the Hastings family's adopted daughter, how would you have the authority to treat us all to dinner on his behalf?"

Here she went again. Before I could respond, a figure suddenly stepped in front of me.

"Serena is treating us, so we should just enjoy the meal. There's no need for this kind of talk, is there?" Scarlett said calmly. "It creates unnecessary tension between colleagues and, more importantly, you're spreading gossip about the boss."

Her composed words made sense, and after a brief moment of consideration, most people returned to their seats.

"Well, isn't this the invisible woman of the R&D department?" Mia sneered. "So perceptive, huh? Now that you know Serena is Mr. Hastings's 'sister,' you're trying to curry favor with her, huh?"

Her tone dripped with condescension. If this weren't the wrong place and time, I would've punched her already.

"Scarlett, best of luck to you." Mia lifted her glass in a mock toast with a smirk plastered across her face. "Now that you're clinging to Serena, I hope you get that promotion you've always dreamed of."

Scarlett's expression darkened instantly.

Mia had snatched the position from her before and had made things difficult for her ever since. She had always chosen to endure, but this time, Mia was humiliating her in front of everyone.

Just like before, she chose to swallow her anger. She reached for her bag, ready to leave, but I grabbed her wrist.