After the divorce, he begged

Chapter 65

“Yes,” the person who had called Rebecca earlier replied. “Every year, the first place at the annual party gets 5,000 dollars, second place 3,000, third 1,500, and everyone else gets 50 for participation. The 10th anniversary celebration should be more generous than regular annual parties.”

Someone added, “Our department always gets 50–dollar participation money every year.”

“Exactly, and Jane always claims it,” another said.

Rebecca instinctively looked at Jane before asking, “What did our department perform at previous annual parties?”

Everyone gave a polite cough and stayed quiet, making Rebecca confused.

Jane, who’d been scrolling through the group chat, froze. Just as Rebecca thought she wouldn’t get an answer, Jane said, “A dramatic reading of the employee handbook.”

Someone said, “Exactly.”

Rebecca praised Jane earnestly. “That’s impressive. Most people won’t touch that one. Jane, you’re fearless.” Someone shot her a thumbs–up, thinking, ‘I never knew Rebecca was the undisputed queen of flattery!

Rebecca looked puzzled. She genuinely believed reading the handbook on stage took guts. Back in school, every class had to put on a skit for the talent show, and her class always bombed with the handbook–reading bit. Ever since, she’d kept her distance from it.

“It was the department’s only option since each department had to perform,” Jane finally spoke, her tone gentle. “If you’ve got another talent, you can sign up.”

“Holy crap! First prize is 30 thousand,” the colleague to Rebecca’s left exclaimed. “They’re going all out for the 10th anniversary?”

Rebecca glanced over and noticed Jason’s secretary had sent new messages in the group chat.

First prize was 30 thousand, second 15 thousand, and third 5,000. The participation award was 50 dollars per person for groups of five or fewer, or 300 dollars per department for larger groups.

Truthfully, Rebecca felt tempted. After becoming a wage earner, she’d realized the true value of money.

“Rebecca, can you pull this off?” Lisa Lambert, the girl to Rebecca’s left, looked starry–eyed, “30 thousand… Damn, I should’ve learned a skill after last year’s party.”

The others began to chatter about the new messages, too. “Ugh, Department A’s gonna profit again.”

“Whatever. Whoever wins on Wednesday night, we can just throw a hoodie over their head and rough them up in the parking lot.”

“Count me in!”

Chapter 65

55 vouchers

overheard their discussion from afar, knowing everyone was

several national awards in

All eyes

past few days, they found her humble, polite, and easy to work with. The

they wanted was to

shot is right

our department’s

should try,” Jane

camaraderie for the first time. “I’ll decide my performance piece tonight and let you

agreed. After the chat wrapped up, Lisa turned to Andrea with gossipy

course,” Andrea smiled, moving

whispered, “Is

Rebecca’s figure froze

caught that out of the corner of her eye. As Jeffrey had instructed her, she

Jeffrey only attended the parent company’s annual parties, never

some of those subsidiaries, so it was normal that he

instinctively glanced at

Lisa pressed, “What?”

tinged with implication. “Lately, he kept asking me about her project progress and

eyes sparkled with gossip.

I could keep pace. After Mr. Taylor mentioned

team’s gaze toward Andrea.

Chapter 65

implications from

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catch on so quickly. She smiled and added, “I thought your school days

was speechless as she thought, ‘What’s this

“What wish?” someone asked.

the Hanson Group and earn Mr. Hanson’s recognition,” Andrea casually replied, sounding

at Rebecca, sensing juicy

passing glance without uttering a single word

kind that even socially oblivious people would recognize as “can’t