Oops I Banged the CEO novel Chapter 193

“What about my reputation? She’s been spreading my photos behind my back—how am I supposed to fix that?” Yvonne’s voice rang out, crisp and unyielding.

Nydia, who had been staring at Marico in awe just moments before, now turned her wide-eyed admiration to Yvonne.

So bold! I love it!

“Apologize to her. Right now,” Marico ordered Linda, his voice cold and commanding.

Linda’s eyes went wide with disbelief. She’d already been floored when Marico suggested firing her, but now—now he wanted her to apologize to Yvonne? She was a department head, for heaven’s sake! And she was being told to apologize to a junior employee?

“Mr. Hamilton, you can reprimand me for the project, but this is just a photo—it’s not as serious as Yvonne claims.”

“Not serious? A single photo can spark all sorts of rumors and slander. You were practically implying I have some kind of improper relationship with Mr. Hamilton, weren’t you? You owe me an apology, and if that photo shows up anywhere else or becomes the basis for more gossip, you’ll be held responsible for that too.”

Yvonne’s voice was steady and clear, and perhaps because she was so angry, she’d shed her usual gentle calm for a commanding presence that filled the room.

“She’s right,” Marico said, hands in his pockets, giving Yvonne an approving nod.

With Marico siding with Yvonne, Linda clenched her fists so tightly her knuckles turned white. She glared at Yvonne, practically trying to bore holes through her, her breathing heavy with rage.

Yvonne stood her ground, meeting Linda’s stare without flinching, waiting for her apology, calm and unyielding.

“Yvonne, I’m sorry. I acted rashly—I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions or let myself be influenced by rumors.” Linda gritted the words out between clenched teeth, her pride swallowing hard as she finally lowered her head.

Yvonne didn’t seem the least bit triumphant. Her face remained taut, her expression serious. “If someone can’t even exercise basic judgment, how are they any different from an animal?”

Linda’s fury only grew, her fists trembling so hard it was a wonder she didn’t break something. Still, she forced herself to nod stiffly, swallowing her humiliation.

“Don’t be mad. But you were incredible in there! Even Mr. Hamilton was speechless. I get the feeling he’s going to be totally henpecked one day.” Nydia grinned, raising her mug in a mock toast to Yvonne.

Henpecked husband? Yvonne couldn’t help but laugh. Not quite there yet.

Her phone buzzed. It was a message from Marico: No wonder they call you Mrs. Hamilton. Even I was too afraid to say a word.

Yvonne glanced at it, then immediately deleted the message.

“Nydia, was I really that fierce just now?” She replayed the scene in her mind, wondering if she’d gone overboard. Was she really that intimidating? Could she actually get away with scolding him like that in the future?

But almost as soon as the thought crossed her mind, Yvonne shook it off.

She liked being alive, after all.