Chapter 26: Chapter 26 To recharge
Alana laughed bitterly. "So because you didn’t see it with your own eyes, you’re spreading slanderous rumours around the office about me having promiscuous relationships?"
Vera retorted, "Is what I’m saying not true? Alana, you’re a slut, a whore! You seduce Manager Dane at work and chase other men outside. You shameless, disgusting vixen!"
Hearing this, Alana flew into a rage and without hesitation, she slapped Vera across the face.
Vera froze, clutching her stinging cheek as she stared at Alana in disbelief. "Lana, you dare to hit me?!"
Alma sneered coldly, "Not only do I dare, but I’ll sue you! For spreading lies and slandering me! If you don’t clear this up with everyone, I’ll call the police immediately. Then you won’t be able to stay in this company any longer!"
Vera was stunned. "You’re just bluffing!”
“Watch me!"
With that, Alana decisively pulled out her phone, intending to dial the police.
Vera was terrified. She’d only spread those slanderous rumours about Alana at work out of jealousy, jealous that Alana had
stolen the man she fancied.
In truth, she had no idea what had transpired after Alana left with that man.
But seeing Alana’s unwavering resolve to report it, as if she had nothing to fear, Vera began to doubt her own assumptions.
She immediately tried to stop her, flustered. "Don’t... don’t call the police!Let’s talk this through calmly!"
Alana retorted coldly, "Then explain yourself properly to everyone. Otherwise, I’ll have the police come and clarify things for me!"
Vera gritted her teeth. She never imagined Alana, who usually seemed so agreeable, calm and polite could be so stubborn.
She’d assumed a woman like Alana, without much backing, possessing only her pretty looks, would be easy to manipulate.
Little did she know that Alana possessed such an unyielding temperament, unwilling to concede an inch.
“Fine. I’ll clarify to everyone that this was all a joke, not the truth."
“Fine, but don’t go back on your word, because I’ve recorded it all."
Alana held her phone aloft, its screen displaying the recording status.
Vera was stunned. So Alana hadn’t been about to call the police after all, she’d been
recording evidence?!
That cunning woman!!!
She’d clearly underestimated Alana, thinking she was naive and easy to bully!
Alana watched Vera’s incredulous reaction and gave a wry smile.
If they don’t provoke me, I won’t provoke them.
But if they provoke me, I shall retaliate.
Though Alana appeared gentle and unassuming in temperament,
But when others pushed their arrogance right up to her nose, she wouldn’t stand idly by and let them run amok over her head without striking back.
Revenge was her true nature.
With Alana’s threatening recording in hand, Vera had no choice but to issue a formal statement within the company.
The statement declared that the rumours of Alana spending the entire night with a man were false, and that she had spread these unfounded rumours about Alana without any proof.
It further apologised to Alana and pleaded for her forgiveness, and so on.
With this statement, the rumours about Alana within the company gradually began to dissipate.
However, this incident had completely soured the relationship between Alana and Vera.
At the project department, they now ignored each other entirely except for necessary work-related interactions.
Though Vera had apologised that time, she still carried herself with an air of superiority whenever she encountered Alana, showing no sign of acknowledging any wrongdoing.
Another employee, Carla couldn’t resist venting to Alana about Vera.
“It was clearly Vera who deliberately spread those false rumours about you, damaging your reputation in the company. How dare she act so arrogantly in front of you?"
Alana’s tone was cool and detached. "Leave her be. As long as she doesn’t keep provoking me."
At other times, however arrogant or haughty Vera behaved, it was none of her concern. As she finished speaking, a colleague approached Alana.
“Alana, Manager Dane is looking for you. He wants you to come to his office immediately."
Alana frowned.
Carla shot her a worried glance. "Lana, it seems Manager Dane is determined to have his way with you. You ought to be careful. Many female employees who refused him ended up suffering at his hands."
Alana , being exceptionally beautiful, had attracted considerable attention from male colleagues since joining the company.
Especially that Manager Dane, who came over every other day to harass her, clinging to her like a disgusting leech.
Everyone in the company knew of Manager Dane’s intentions towards Alana, yet they were powerless to stop him.
After all, he held more authority than they did. Working under him, they relied on his favour day to day, who dared criticise him?
Most female employees bullied by Manager Dane chose to accept some compensation and swallow their pride.
Alana frowned and turned to Carla. "Carla, do you have any contact details for Manager Dane’s wife?"
Carla sighed. "No, I’ve never been privy to such matters. Besides, Manager Dane is senior management. His personal details are confidential to us lowly staff, we have no right to access them."
Alana took a deep breath. It seemed the plan to have his wife discover the matter and take action against him
was unworkable.
Though that avenue was closed, she still had other options.
After a moment’s contemplation, Alana made her way to Manager Dane’s office.
Pushing open the door, she asked directly, "Manager Dane, did you wish to see me?"
Dane looked up and, upon seeing Alana, immediately broke into a smile. "Ah, Lana dear! I heard about the rumours Vera spread about you. I’ve already given her a stern warning on your behalf. I told her, ’You’re a university graduate fresh out of school, pure as the driven snow! How could you possibly be the sort of woman who casually follows men off to hotels! I simply refuse to believe it!"
Alana gave a faint smile. "Thank you for standing up for me, Manager Dane.”
Dane replied with a thick-skinned grin, "Oh, you’re welcome!"
“But you really do want to work part-time at the bar, don’t you? Running a bit short on cash lately?"
Alana swallowed.
Dane stared at her, flashing a wicked grin. "If you really are short of cash, just say the
word. I can sort you out!"
“How about a thousand dollars for keeping me company tonight?"
“A thousand for one night, two thousand for two nights, thirty thousand for a month, isn’t that more than you’d earn out there?"
At times, Alana felt like vomiting, right onto Manager Dane’s face.
Because he genuinely disgusted her.
“Mr Dane, your joke isn’t funny at all. If there’s truly nothing urgent, I’ll take my leave."
Dane noticed her impatience and reined in his lecherous gaze slightly.
What a tough nut to crack. He’d been at it for ages and still hadn’t managed to crack it.
But haste makes waste.
“It was just a joke. Lana dear, I heard you’re quite good in other languages. I’ve recently taken on a major foreign client. How about you handle the liaison with him alongside me?"
Alana sighed and then asked. “What language?”
“French.”
“Manager Dane, my French is merely adequate."
“Graduated from a top university, passed the seven languages at Professional Level 8 exam, and holds high-scoring IELTS and TOEFL certificates. How is that merely average?"
Alana offered a forced smile. "There are plenty of more capable colleagues in the project department than me."
The unspoken message: go find them, not her.
She had absolutely no desire to accompany Manager Dane in dealing with any clients.
Dane remained firm. "Alana, I’m asking you to accompany me to meet this major client precisely because I recognise your capabilities. Don’t let my trust in you down! Besides, you’re still an intern, not yet confirmed in your role. Don’t you want to follow me and build up some tangible achievements?!"
“It’s settled then. The client arrives in the country tomorrow. Review these materials beforehand." Dave thrust a thick stack of documents in front of Alana.
Alana frowned, still hesitating.
Dane looked at her, smiling temptingly. "If you help me secure this major client, you’ll get a ten thousand dollar commission."
Alana’s eyelids fluttered.
Ten thousand dollar commission.
Next month, she’d have the money to repay that man.
The thought stirred her. After all, it was merely liaising with the client alongside He Dane. With the client present, nothing inappropriate should occur.
After all, she could simply avoid being alone with Dane.
After a moment’s consideration, she gathered the documents from the desk. "Very well, I shall endeavour to assist Manager Dane.”
With that, she turned and walked out.
Dane’s lips curved into a smirk.
Just as expected of a fresh graduate straight out of university, clear-eyed yet naive, so easy to manipulate.
Alana returned to her workstation with the documents. Carla couldn’t resist leaning
in to ask, "Lana, what did Manager Dane want with you just now?!"
Alana didn’t repeat the flippant remarks Dane had made to her. Instead, she stated
concisely, "Manager Dane wants me to work with him on liaising with a foreign client."
Carla inquired, "Is it the representative from HG Company?"
Alana nodded. "Yes."
Carla exclaimed in surprise, "That’s brilliant! HG is one of the world’s top cosmetic raw material manufacturers, specialising in pure plant extracts and natural, pollution-free ingredients. They supply many high-end luxury cosmetics brands."
“If our company could collaborate with HG, it would be another major selling point for our product development."
After all, the company specialises in cosmetics R&D and sales, pursuing a premium product strategy, so the selection of raw material suppliers is crucial.
“If we could secure this HG representative and sign the contract, the commission would be substantial, wouldn’t it?"
“Manager Dave mentioned a ten thousand commission."
“Ten thousand isn’t bad. Think of it as two months’ salary for an intern. And if you secure this project, your permanent position should be as good as guaranteed."
Alana nodded. She had agreed to Manager Dane’s request precisely because she was considering her permanent position.
Besides, she had no standing to challenge management’s decision.
Such is the helplessness of the workplace, one has little control over one’s circumstances. Some things, you see, aren’t something you can simply refuse to do.
Carla said, "Lana, do your best. I believe you can do it!"
Alana smiled faintly. "Right."
Vera, standing nearby, heard the news and her expression darkened.
Why should Alana, a mere intern, be accompanying Manager Dane to meet HG representatives?
And she, a permanent employee, wasn’t even considered by Manager Dane?!
It must be because Alana was inherently flirtatious and had secretly seduced Manager Dane?!
Which was why he’d taken her along.
Unable to contain her indignation, Vera rose and headed for Manager Dane’s office. "Manager Dane, I must accompany you to meet the HG representatives!"
Dane glanced up at Vera. "I’ve already sent Alana with me. There’s no need for
you."
Vera refused to concede. "Why am I not needed? I’m clearly more capable than her!"
Dane remained silent. He couldn’t bring himself to reveal his ulterior motive to Vera. He wanted Alana by his side so he could seize the opportunity to make his move on her.
After all, outside the company, he couldn’t arrange to meet Alana, so he had to use work as a pretext to achieve his goal.
Vera stared at Dane’s greasy face and his revoltingly obese figure. Gritting her teeth,
she stepped forward and pressed herself against him.
“Manager Dane, what exactly is our relationship?"
“You can’t have Alana and forget the pleasant times we shared before!"
Dane couldn’t resist the sight of her alluring posture.
He reached out his filthy hands and groped her waist. "Alright, sweetheart, I’ll take you along too. But tonight, I’ve booked a room at the hotel next to the company. I’ll be waiting for you there. You must come, okay? And I need you right now to recharge first.
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