Chapter 9 She Is A Mistress (Part One)

"Ashley, why are you running? You look guilty. Have you done something that you shouldn't have?" A beautiful woman with long hair sneered distastefully. She was Kate Yan.

The woman and Ashley despised each other. Their hatred dated a long time ago.

The two of them had joined the company as interns before earning a permanent position. Kate knew that Ashley belonged to a wealthy family and that she had studied in a famous university. The woman envied Ashley and used every opportunity to mock her. However, Ashley wasn't naive and vulnerable anymore. She had stopped putting up with her insults. Life had toughened Ashley-she learned to fight back. Ashley could deal with verbal spat and arguments. However, Kate went a step ahead and plotted a secret plan to ruin her name.

Before Ashley could say anything, one of her colleagues interjected, "Were those cars for you, Ashley? Did someone drop you? I saw you run from there."

Ashley turned around to see who it was. The girl was in her early twenties, wearing a green dress. Her long hair was tied to a ponytail, and her bare face looked flawless without any makeup. The girl was Carol Lou, one of her colleagues.

Ashley nodded. There was no point in denying the truth. "Yes. A friend of mine dropped me."

The people on the first floor stopped what they were doing and looked at her. She immediately became the center of attention. The crowd broke into a whisper. "Wow! She must be rich."

The jealousy in Kate's heart slowly rose. "The rich are not benevolent. They are usually spoiled brats with no moral values."

Her comment annoyed Ashley. She wanted to knock Kate's head open and see if something was wrong with her brain. The woman always came up with strange things to say. Ashley hadn't looted anyone's money, ran naked on the streets for fame, or ruined anyone's life for the thrill of it. She was a simple woman who led a simple life. Kate's words seemed to taint the good reputation she had managed to earn.

The people who had gathered looked at Ashley in surprise. They wondered what Kate meant by calling Ashely an immoral woman. Ashley didn't bother defending herself. She didn't want to quarrel with a shameless woman in public. Kate could resort to cheap techniques, but Ashley would never stoop down to her level.

Kate smiled and puffed her chest in pride. She believed that Ashley had finally accepted her defeat.

Carol stepped away from Kate; she didn't want to be a part of her nasty plans.

"Ashley, you're amazing. How did you befriend such powerful people?" she asked.

Ashley smiled grimly. Carol was smarter than Kate. "We are not that close. I got to know him through a project, that's all."

The rumors about Ashley's dramatic entry spread like a wildfire. People churned the information and cooked up stories of their own. They initially claimed that Ashley had a rich, powerful friend. However, as time went by, they began to assume that it was her boyfriend. Ashley listened to all the gossips about her when she was in the loo. The ladies' room was the most happening place in the building where all the discussions took place. People were gossiping about Ashley, oblivious to the fact that she was inside.

"I don't think Ashley is from a rich family. Why would someone become a paparazzo and work their ass off if they could afford a rich lifestyle? It's weird."

"Yeah, you're right. It's Ashley's father who is rich, not her."

"Why would someone, who is powerful enough to have bodyguards, drop her to the office? This is perhaps an act to win people's attention. They must have been paid actors."

Ashley rolled her eyes. The people were too jobless that they were wasting their time in making up new stories.

"Look at that charming face. I think she is a home-wrecker," one of them remarked, and the others broke into laughter.

Ashley's body stiffened; anger surged through her veins.

"She always pretends to be innocent in front of us. Imagine how she would behave when she was with her sugar daddy."

The girls continued to mock Ashley, blissfully ignorant about her presence. The rumor had taken an obscene turn. Their cruel accusations broke Ashley's heart.

Rumors and gossips were a part of every woman's life-they had to free themselves from the shackles imposed on them. Ashley didn't interfere in anyone's business, but her colleagues were ruining her name for no reason. She had to stop the rumor before it spread further.

Moreover, a comment that was degrading her character would crush her image permanently. Ashley wouldn't be able to work at peace.

The door of the toilet jerked open, and Ashley stepped out.

The girls instantly fell silent. The murderous look on Ashley's face frightened them.

Ashley crossed her arms over her chest and glared at them. "Who said that I was a home-wrecker?"

The girls exchanged glances, but neither of them dared to speak.

"Stop being a fucking coward and say it to my face!"

"It was me!" One of the girls stepped forward and glared at her. "What's wrong in that? You are a home-wrecker. If you're rich like you claim, why would you do a menial job as a paparazzo?"

The commotion in the ladies' room drew the attention of people from the other departments. One of the managers hurried to the washroom to put an end to the quarrel. "What the hell is going on? Go back to your seats and work. We aren't paying you girls for whiling away your time in the washroom."

The girls were eager to leave, but Ashley wasn't ready to give up without a fight. She blocked their way. "Who gave you the right to comment on my personal life?"

"Ashley, do you want to fight with me? Why are you making a scene?"

"I want to know the reason behind your baseless accusation. What joy do you get from tarnishing my reputation? You called me a home-wrecker. You're a sick person who is degrading another woman. You didn't think twice before accusing me, but you have a problem with me for clarifying things? Sorry, I will not shut up."

"Get out of my way. I don't want to talk to you." The blood on the girl's face drained.