Three Years Forgotten, Why Go Crazy When I Say Goodbye? novel Chapter 53

The receptionist smiled warmly. "You're very welcome. I'm just telling the truth." Just as they were chatting, a burst of loud, familiar laughter echoed from the entrance. Before Willow could even place the voice, the group strolled into view. It was Vivienne Sinclair, flanked by two of her usual sycophants. Vivienne was dressed in a pristine white yoga set, her hair swept up into an elegant bun. She looked every bit the wealthy, sophisticated socialite. Her gaze swept over Willow, a brief flash of surprise crossing her features before she let out a disdainful scoff. The two women trailing behind her mirrored her arrogant posture. They looked Willow up and down before one of them smirked. "Well, this is a first. I didn't realize the economy was doing so poorly that this place started letting nobodies off the street in. Have you ever seen someone so out of shape in a place like this?" The other woman chimed in immediately. "Right? I don't get it. If she knows she's that big, why wear blue? It just exposes all her flaws. Look at her stomach—it's bigger than someone who just gave birth. She should be embarrassed to wear something so tight." "Don't blame the clothes," the first woman mocked. "When you're built like that, nothing looks good. Not like our Vivienne. She's a natural beauty. Even white, which is the hardest color to pull off, makes her look like an absolute goddess." "Exactly! That's why Julian has her wrapped around his finger. Some people really need to look in the mirror. Does she honestly think losing a few pounds here will miraculously win Julian's heart back?" Hearing this, Vivienne frowned slightly. She cast another calculating glance at Willow. For some inexplicable reason, she noticed for the very first time that Willow actually had beautiful features—especially those striking amber eyes. "Delusional," Vivienne spat coldly, her eyes brimming with pure contempt. Willow had survived far too many of these toxic encounters to let their pathetic insults break her. She was entirely unfazed. However, the young receptionist beside her was horrified. Driven by a strong sense of justice, the girl stepped forward. "Excuse me, but you have no right to speak to her like that. You are guests here, and so is she. Furthermore, you're completely wrong. This outfit looks fantastic on her, and she looks beautiful." The hallway fell dead silent. Willow was stunned that the girl had actually spoken up in her defense, while Vivienne and her entourage were completely paralyzed by the audacity of a simple employee challenging them. One of Vivienne's lackeys sneered, stepping aggressively into the girl's personal space. "What did you just say? I don't think I heard you clearly. Say it again." Thinking the woman genuinely hadn't heard her, the receptionist took a breath to repeat herself. But before she could get a single word out, the lackey lunged forward and slapped her viciously across the face. The sharp crack echoed loudly. The young receptionist stumbled back, clutching her stinging cheek. Her eyes welled with tears as she stared at her attacker in disbelief. "Why would you hit me?" The woman didn't show a single ounce of remorse. She crossed her arms and barked, "I'll hit whoever I want! You're just a pathetic worker—a dog! Know your place before you ever try to talk back to—" Before she could finish her vile sentence, two rapid, deafening slaps rang through the air.