Next Man, Better Plan novel Chapter 41

Sapphire Group specializes in new energy solutions, and Stephanie works in the R&D department.

It was her first job out of college, a position she landed through a campus recruitment event.

Back in school, she'd published a paper in a related field that happened to catch the eye of the company's leadership.

They specifically reached out to her advisor to recruit her. She’d been there for two years now and was on the verge of being promoted to assistant director.

As soon as Stephanie arrived at the office, she overheard some colleagues gossiping.

"Seriously? A Rolls-Royce Phantom? Is her boyfriend really that loaded?"

"I saw them myself downstairs, sharing a long goodbye kiss. They must be in their honeymoon phase."

"I heard she graduated from a top university, same one as Ms. Jackson, I think. She worked at our rival company for a year and was apparently poached by the boss for a hefty salary, bringing some core technology with her."

"So, does that mean Stephanie's promotion to assistant director isn't a sure thing anymore?"

"It's hard to say. Stephanie just got married, right? She’ll probably start trying for a baby soon. In our line of work, you can't spend all your time in the lab when you're pregnant. The radiation is bad for the baby."

The colleagues were deep in their conversation and didn't notice Stephanie walking past them.

One of them spotted her first and tugged on her friend's sleeve.

They all turned around, falling silent the moment they saw Stephanie.

"What's all the excitement about?" Stephanie asked with a slight smile, walking over to her locker to change into her lab coat.

Her rise through the ranks had been swift, she was beautiful, and the company's big boss, an old classmate of her advisor, always seemed to look out for her.

In the workplace, that combination was bound to make people jealous.

Victoria is at Sapphire Group? No wonder she and Quennel were together downstairs this morning. He was dropping her off at work.

Stephanie's expression turned cold. She pulled her hand back as if she’d touched something filthy and even brushed it off twice. "Don't act so familiar with me. We're not close."

Her tone and gaze were distant as she walked over to the sink to wash her hands.

Victoria's expression froze. Seeing Stephanie's reaction, she looked wounded. "Stephanie... do you hate me?"

"You know better than anyone whether I hate you or not, you backstabber."

Stephanie couldn't be bothered to watch Victoria's performance. Without looking back, she turned off the faucet, dried her hands, and walked straight out of the locker room.

Tears welled up in Victoria's eyes. She sank to the floor, looking completely heartbroken by Stephanie's words.

The colleagues who had witnessed the whole thing rushed to comfort her. "Victoria, don't cry. Stephanie just has a short temper; she doesn't mean any harm."