Chapter 19: Chapter 19: None of My Business, None of Your Business
###Chapter 19: None of My Business, and None of Your Business
At the dinner table, a few of the veteran employees exchanged knowing glances.
Everyone at the company knew about the relationship between the three of them.
For Benjamin Sterling to show up before Maxine Rhodes with this "sister" of his was no different than a man bringing his mistress to flaunt in front of his wife.
Everyone held their breath, expecting to see Maxine Rhodes looking as hurt and heartbroken as she used to.
But instead, Maxine Rhodes just slowly set down her chopsticks and frowned slightly. "This crab looks so pristine on the outside, but it’s completely empty once you crack it open. What a disappointment."
Benjamin Sterling’s expression instantly changed. "Maxine Rhodes, what’s that supposed to mean? Rose came all this way to apologize to you, even with a fever, and this is the attitude you give her?"
Rose Joyce’s eyes immediately reddened as she pitifully tugged on Benjamin Sterling’s sleeve. "Benjamin, don’t be angry. It’s all my fault..."
"Tsk, tsk," Coco whispered into Bubbles’s ear, "With acting skills like that, it’s a real waste she’s not an Actor."
Bubbles crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. "Isn’t it though? Her makeup is so perfect not a single eyelash is out of place, and her cheeks are so rosy she could be in a commercial for good circulation. How does that look like a fever at all? And those stilettos... looks like she’s ready to ’faint’ right into President Sterling’s arms at any moment."
A few stifled snickers broke out from the surrounding colleagues.
Maxine Rhodes calmly waited for Benjamin Sterling and Rose Joyce to finish their performance before speaking. "President Sterling, I’m quite curious. What exactly has Miss Joyce done that requires her to apologize to me?"
The faintest of smiles touched her lips. "Furthermore, if Miss Joyce is truly feeling unwell, I suggest President Sterling take her to the hospital immediately instead of wasting time here. After all,"
She looked at Rose Joyce, her tone gentle. "A fever is no small matter. If you were to faint here, our project team’s celebration dinner would turn into a medical emergency. That’s a responsibility we can’t afford to bear."
Bubbles was the first to lose it, letting out a "PFFT" of laughter. She quickly grabbed her glass and pretended to drink, but her shoulders couldn’t stop shaking.
Beside her, Coco secretly gave Maxine Rhodes a thumbs-up under the table, her grin stretching nearly ear to ear.
Everyone was quiet as a mouse on the surface, but in their private group chat, "Did President Sterling and His Little Drama Queen Put on a Show Again Today?", messages were flooding the screen:
[Director Rhodes’s #1 Fan]: OMG! My queen is slaying! This move is on another level! @All Members, take notes. This is how you tear someone down with class!!
[Just Here for the Food]: If you’re sick, shouldn’t you go to the hospital instead of coming to a dinner party to spread your germs? She has zero consideration for others!
[Bubbles Herself]: Oh, please. She doesn’t want to go to the hospital, she wants her ’Benjamin’ to take her personally~ LMAO, Chelsea Joyce’s face is a rainbow right now—green, red, white, and purple!
[Zhang from Finance]: I think her mascara is starting to run. Can I laugh now?
[Honest Old Wang]: Director Rhodes’s logic is flawless. I suggest adding this to the company’s crisis PR manual.
[Lisa from Reception]: Timidly asking, would it be appropriate to dedicate the song ’Actor’ to Miss Joyce right now?
Rose Joyce could no longer maintain the pitiful expression on her face. She wished she could find a hole to crawl into and disappear.
Seeing Maxine Rhodes’s calm and unbothered expression, a rush of blood, a mixture of shame and fury, shot straight to Benjamin Sterling’s head.
He took a deep breath, and as if he’d suddenly figured something out, he suppressed his anger. "After all this song and dance, the truth is you’re just upset and jealous of Rose, aren’t you?"
"Yes, I’ve been a bit more attentive to her lately and neglected your feelings. But why must you bring these personal emotions into a professional setting, in front of so many colleagues, and let everyone laugh at us?"
Hearing this, Maxine Rhodes let out a low laugh. "Jealous? Benjamin Sterling, your self-importance has truly reached a breathtaking level."
She arched a delicate eyebrow. "Have you forgotten? We’ve already broken up. And it was me who dumped you. So stop putting on this deeply-in-love act and humiliating yourself. It’s truly pathetic to watch."
Her words hit the room like a bombshell. The entire private dining room fell utterly silent.
A breakup?! And Director Rhodes was the one who dumped President Sterling?!!
The crowd of gossips exchanged excited glances as a flurry of activity erupted on the phone screens hidden under the table, the messages flying even faster now.
Benjamin Sterling’s face instantly turned the color of beet root. He never imagined Maxine Rhodes would embarrass him like this in public. ’Is she trying to force me to win her back in front of everyone? When did she become so concerned with saving face?’
"Maxine Rhodes! Do you really have to put it like that?" He shot up, slamming his hand on the table and sending the dishes rattling with a CLATTER. "I gave you an out, and you wouldn’t take it! Do you want me to say something I’ll regret?"
Seeing this, Rose Joyce quickly tried to smooth things over. "Benjamin, don’t fight because of me. If my sister really doesn’t want to see me, I’ll just leave..."
This tactic of feigning retreat to advance worked as expected, stirring Benjamin Sterling’s protective instincts and prompting him to draw a comparison.
He immediately straightened up and pointed at Maxine Rhodes, roaring, "Just listen to her! See how considerate Rose is! How mature! Now look at yourself—aggressive, petty, and argumentative! Is there any trace left of the person you used to be?!"
Maxine Rhodes watched the ripples in her wine glass and chuckled. "Whether she’s considerate or not is none of my damn business."
She lifted her gaze, her eyes sweeping lightly over Benjamin Sterling. "And what I’m like now is none of your damn business, either."
Realizing that staying any longer would only lead to more embarrassment, Rose Joyce quickly said, "Benjamin, my sister is probably upset that we interrupted her department’s dinner. We should go!"
His expression growing even darker, Benjamin Sterling took the easy way out. Amid a sea of silent ridicule and disdainful gazes, he left the private room with Rose Joyce.
The door slammed shut with a BANG.
The silence lasted only a second.
Then, the room erupted in deafening cheers and applause!
"Director Rhodes, you’re a legend!!"
"Maxine! You’re the only boss I’ll ever need!!"
"That was so satisfying! I’ve never seen such juicy drama in my entire life!"
Maxine Rhodes looked at her team, now buzzing with excitement again. She raised her teacup, her smile finally becoming genuine and warm. "Alright, the irrelevant parties have made their exit. Let’s continue—"
"Cheers—!"
