The Perfect Wife's Perfect Revenge

"So I thought Mr. Everhart was chasing after Gwyneth, but this morning I saw her getting out of some old guy's car."

The gossip had started.

"No way would Mr. Everhart be interested in her. He's already married-actually went down to the courthouse and made it official. I heard they're throwing the wedding at the bride's family's place this Thanksgiving."

Yvette overheard the chatter but didn't care. The rumors about Hawthorne these days were flying so thick and fast, she could barely keep up.

Then again, with a wealthy, handsome man nearly thirty and still single, people were bound to start making things up. But rumors only stick with fools; Yvette never took any of it to heart.

Still, she figured she should remind Mr. Everhart that it was time to settle down. If he didn't, the gossip would never end, and he couldn't just go around silencing everyone like some kind of tyrant.

When Yvette entered the room, everyone immediately clammed up. Last time someone spread rumors about Gwyneth and Mr. Everhart, Yvette had retaliated without a hint of mercy, scaring the whole office into minding their own business for weeks.

But as long as people gathered, there would always be talk. When things were slow, you had to chat about something, and there was no way to avoid it.

“If you all have so much time on your hands, maybe try getting some actual work done. Aim for a bigger bonus at Christmas instead of spreading nonsense. Let me set you straight: Mr. Everhart is single. There's no wedding, no marriage, nothing of the sort, so stop making things up."

She wasn't buying it for a second.

With Yvette present, no one dared make a sound. But as soon as she left, the murmurs started up again.

"She honestly doesn't know?"

"Or she's just fooling herself. My cousin works at City Hall in Starfall he showed me the pictures. The woman's family is a big deal, so my cousin couldn't reveal her name, and the faces were blurred out, but I could tell. The man in the photo was definitely Mr. Everhart-name and all."

"High society in Greenvale's up in arms. All those politicians and businesswomen who had their eyes on Mr. Everhart are furious he got snatched up first. And the craziest part is, the bride's from thousands of miles away. Talk about reaching far."

"So Gwyneth isn't Mr. Everhart's 'official' match after all. Maybe that man who dropped her off today is?"

"Who knows? I heard he looked to be in his fifties."

In the break room, everyone gossiped about Gwyneth or Hawthorne. But outside,noveldrama

they all acted like nothing had happened and went right back to work.

"Gwyneth, can you run to the other firm and pick up a file for me?"

Passing the gaming department, Yvette suddenly remembered something and stopped.

Gwyneth sighed inwardly; why was Yvette always picking on her?

"Yes, Miss Yvette?"

"Gwyn, dome a favor. I've got something urgent. Ride with me, we'll go together, and after you grab the file you can take a cab back. Just put the fare on your expense report."

With the request phrased this way, Gwyneth couldn't refuse. She had no choice

but to follow Yvette into the elevator.

Standing side by side in the mirrored

elevator, Yvette studied their

1.no

reflections Gwyneth was young and pretty, sure, but what did that matter? In this company, she was just another entry-level employee. Promotion took serious talent. Cóntent

Girls like her came and went by the hundreds every year. Promotions were rare even if she got lucky, a promotion every three years was considered fast. By the time she hit her thirties, at best she'd be a

manager.

Tsk, tsk.

"Gwyn, how are you settling in here at the company?"

Yvette's sudden concern caught Gwyneth off guard, leaving her wary and a little confused.