After the Affair Falling into a Billionaire's Arms novel Chapter 127

Cold laughter rippled through the audience.

Did she really think she could buy their loyalty with just one meal?

A young man raised his hand first. “Sorry, Ms. Forbes, I have plans to see a movie with my girlfriend tonight. I’m afraid I can’t make it.”

Others quickly followed with their excuses:

“I can’t either. I have dinner with a client tonight.”

“I’m on a diet, so I’ll pass.”

“I need to pick up my child from school, no time.”

One rejection after another. No one cared about Louisa’s invitation.

Louisa smiled again. “Everyone’s quite busy, I see.”

Teresa stood nearby, smirking. She patted Louisa’s shoulder with fake sincerity. “Ms. Forbes, the investment department is about results,

not relationships. Good luck.”

She walked away, her high heels clicking with arrogance.

Little did she know, Louisa wasn’t trying to build relationships or win anyone over. She simply wanted to see which team members might

be useful to her.

While she could handle an uncooperative team gradually, Teresa’s impossible task had a strict deadline. She needed to build her own team

quickly.

Seeing the situation, she didn’t push. “Since everyone’s busy, then-”

“I’m available,” a voice interrupted.

A short–haired young woman suddenly raised her hand. She had been facing away from Louisa, but now turned around. “I have time for

dinner.”

Louisa recognized her–this was Marlee Salazar, the woman who had shown her kindness during the Aurora Media Group incident.

Louisa nodded. ‘OK!”

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Chapter 127

That evening, Louisa reserved a table at a restaurant near the company. The place had a pleasant, quiet atmosphere.

They sat across from each other at a window table. Louisa handed Marlee the menu. See what you’d like to eat.”

Marlee didn’t take it. “Ms. Forbes, you decide. I’m not picky.”

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Louisa didn’t insist and ordered several of the restaurant’s signature dishes.

While waiting for their food, Marlee got straight to the point. “Ms. Forbes, you want to know about Team Seven’s current situation, rigar

Louisa smiled. “Yes.”

“Our team members are generally capable, Marlee began, “but Neil left things in a mess. After he left, several senior staff expected promotion, but no one imagined that someone who hadn’t even completed probation would take over.

“People are saying you handled the Aurora Media Group project by coincidence, and that you used your looks to…”

“To sleep my way to the top?” Louisa finished with a light laugh. She was all too familiar with such workplace rumors.

Marlee nodded. “The comments are quite nasty. Plus, you’re so attractive, and our team is mostly women. There’s a natural hostility–the women are jealous of you, and the men are sexist.

“Everyone says you lack real ability and won’t handle the pressure of the investment department. They also say Ms. Hughes doesn t like

you.

“While Mr. Tudor technically runs the Tudor Group, for small employees like us, he’s an untouchable figure. I’ve been at Tudor Group for two years and never seen him once.

“For us, Ms. Hughes is our real boss. If she doesn’t like you, she won’t give you good projects. As a newcomer with questionable skills in a difficult position, people would rather curry favor with Ms. Hughes than bet on you.”

Louisa listened silently throughout.

“Finished?” she finally asked with a smile. “You’re right, I’ve been dealt a bad hand.”

She flicked the edge of the Oakridge Commons project file peeking from her bag. “Ms. Hughes just gave me this today–an almost impossible task. But knowing all this, why did you still come with me?”

Marlee shrugged. “What’s so strange about that? Whether you have the skills or what projects you get is your business. I’m here for a free meal–I’m not losing anything, am I?‘

‘Really? Aren’t you afraid they’ll ostracize you?‘

“Ostracize?” Marlee’s face showed a bitter, ironic smile when she said the word.

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But she didn’t continue. The server arrived with their food, and she lowered her head to eat.

Louisa didn’t touch her utensils. She leaned back, studying Marlee and glancing at the purse she’d placed on the table. “That bag–you bought it from a discount store, right? For a few dozen dollars? And your outfit probably doesn’t cost more than two hundred dollars

total.”

Marlee looked up, startled, unsure what Louisa meant.

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“The Tudor Group is the largest company in Silverlight City, with the best resources, Louisa explained. “Everyone in the investment department handles multiple projects, and all the women wear designer clothes.

“Yet you wear the simplest clothes, don’t dress up, and carry an inexpensive bag. It’s because you refused to compromise with workplace politics, isn’t it? Neil never gave you any projects.”

Marlee was shocked. “How do you know all this?”

“I know more than that. Marlee Salazar, top university graduate, ranked first in written tests among over a hundred applicants when interviewing at the Tudor Group. Since then, you’ve excelled in every company assessment. Am I right?”

“Did you memorize everyone’s information on our team?”

Louisa smiled. “Not really. I just looked through it once.”

Just once? Marlee’s eyes widened.

Until now, Marlee had done most of the talking while Louisa listened with a calm, composed smile. But Louisa’s final observations hit the

mark precisely.

Marlee suddenly felt that her new leader might be unfathomably perceptive.

“You have outstanding results,” Louisa continued, “but because you’re plain–looking and unwilling to compromise with workplace politics, you can’t get good projects. So you’re not satisfied. You want to give it one more try with all your effort. Am I right?”

“Yes!”

Marlee was amazed that Louisa had read her mind so accurately. Confused, she nodded instinctively.

Louisa raised her glass. “Then let’s work together to turn this unfortunate situation around!”

Marlee didn’t hesitate. Their glasses clinked together.

They enjoyed their dinner thoroughly. Both had been drinking.

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By the time they left the restaurant, it was nine in the evening.

Louisa hailed a taxi first and told Marlee, “You go ahead.”

As Marlee got in, she asked, “Ms. Forbes, how will you get home?”

“I’ll call a designated driver.”

“Alright. Take care.”

The taxi drove Marlee away.

Louisa took out her phone to open the app for a driver service, but the alcohol was affecting her. Her fingers kept sliding across the

screen, unable to find the right app.

A drunk man staggered over, eyeing her lustfully. “Hey beautiful, where are you headed? I’ll take you there.”

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