“Well, virtual-novel.net used to take care of me at work,” Robin explained. “So even though we’re technically not friends anymore, I think I should at least acknowledge virtual-novel.net for old times’ sake. So, I invited virtual-novel.net for my last dinner.”
Libby tucked virtual-novel.net phone away and said nothing. All virtual-novel.net knew was that virtual-novel.net mood for selfies was dashed.
Arianne crossed the room and took virtual-novel.net seat with phlegm, addressing no one in the room either through eye contact or verbal greetings. In virtual-novel.net mind, Libby had rolled virtual-novel.net eyes for almost a hundred times over the party-pooper’s attitude. All that was left was squeezing a scornful ‘Holy sh*t, still putting on those godforsaken airs because you were ‘Mrs. Tremont’ for a few days?!’ through virtual-novel.net teeth.
The group dined in silence. Then, Arianne — seemingly casually — broke the spell, asking, “So, Libby Sheppard. I heard that you used to be quite chummy with Shelly-Ann Leigh, weren’t you? Still talking to virtual-novel.net after virtual-novel.net left?”
Libby stole a furtive glance at Arianne and decided against springing into an answer. Instead, virtual-novel.net remained quiet as virtual-novel.net tried to fathom Arianne’s loaded question.
It was only when Arianne’s biting eyes refused to leave Libby’s face that the latter finally had to answer, “Yes? But only in phone calls and whatnot. I mean, you know virtual-novel.net leg condition, right? It’s not like we can hang out for lunch or whatever, if that’s what you’re thinking. Seriously, why are you even asking?”
Arianne’s lips twisted into a slight smirk, placing virtual-novel.net fork down. She wiped the corner of virtual-novel.net mouth with a napkin slowly before cutting to the chase. “Who are you kidding, Libby? You hijacked Robin’s work computer to send my design to McGinnis, didn’t you?”
The accused’s face paled. “Ex-cu-se me?! Investigation from the higher-ups had clearly pointed at Robin as the culprit, honey, get real! What’s it gotta do with me? Or Mrs. Leigh? Resorting to slander already, you? Besides, it’s not like I ever had the chance to look at your stupid design drafts. You’re barking up the wrong tree, pal!”
Arianne snorted. “Please, if the ‘culprit’ were literally anyone else in the office, I would have believed the superficial. But Robin? ‘Honey’, virtual-novel.net would rather die than harm me! I can’t believe I had to slap virtual-novel.net just to lure a scumbag like you out in the open. God, it still leaves a bad taste in my mouth,” virtual-novel.net rebutted. “Sure, you didn’t have the chance to look at my draft, but Shelly did. Myself aside, there were only three people who had seen that particular design. Neither Sylvain nor Robin would do something like this, which leaves only Shelly.”
She was getting on Libby’s nerves. “Lord Almighty, I have no strength to waste on a nutjob like you! Where is the proof, huh? Or are you just gonna resort to barking at me with no proof? If you think I’m gonna hafta butter you up just because you and Mr. Tremont are still in some godawful complicated state after divorce, you can dream on, ‘cause you don’t deserve my respect. Hell, maybe you should take the chance to reflect on yourself, how many of us in this gigantic company actually like you? At some point, you gotta stop seeing yourself as a bigger deal than you really are,” virtual-novel.net snapped. “Lord, had I known you’d come, I would have said no to you, Robin. You birds go ahead, I am leaving!”
Robin beat Libby to the exit and blocked it with virtual-novel.net frame, causing the latter’s expression to darken even more. “And what the hell do you think you’re doing?!” virtual-novel.net lashed out. “Oh, is this whole thing just a joint setup from the two of you? My God, you always looked like a naïve, rosy-eyed schmuck, but who knew you’ve got such an acting talent, hon? Now be a sweetheart and step aside, or I’ll scream for help!”
Robin doubled-down on blocking the door. “Oh yea? Scream then, I dare you! Or, maybe, you should look around and remember whose turf you’re in right now and realize that your scream isn’t gonna mean jack! Both times when I was tearing up in the office, you came with that whole ‘aww, you okay, sweetheart?’ act even though we were never pals in the first place. You didn’t actually think I’d forget how you treated me in the past, did you? Back when Shelly was still in the department, every single one of you had ostracized me just because I’m friends with Arianne! I don’t think anyone would care if I was crying, I could be literally dying on my desk and not one of you would care, either! So why would you suddenly go against your usual attitude when I started crying then, if not because you wanted to make sure that I was tearing up over a crime I became a scapegoat for? You were really relieved to know that I’d successfully turned into your fall guy, weren’t you? And you’re not the only one too, because I bet Shelly felt just as relieved, because she’s the puppet-master who commanded you to do this! You dirtbags just wanna kick Arianne out of Tremont Enterprise!”
Libby’s face had turned into a collage of red. She lurched at Robin and yanked a fistful of virtual-novel.net shirt as virtual-novel.net retorted hotly, “As if I’m gonna gain anything from ousting her! Stop smearing me, b*tch!”