Episode 5

Two weeks had passed since Alana Forbes joined Salvatore Tech Corp, and although she tried to keep a low profile, her presence was already a topic of conversation. From the first day, she had felt the inquisitive glances and the whispers that followed her through the hallways. It wasn't easy to go unnoticed when everyone seemed more interested in digging into her life than in working.

In the company's main dining room, a group of employees gathered as they did every lunchtime. Among them was Camila Jimenez, new to the company and Nick Altamirano's secret lover. In a low but venomous voice, she began her usual session of malicious comments.

"Did you see how she came today?" Camila muttered as she took a sip of her smoothie. "With those tight pants as if she were on a runway."

"Who? Alana?" another asked, feigning surprise.

"Obviously," Camila replied. "They say she got in here because she sleeps with a rich old man who got her the job."

"Really?" said another, raising her eyebrows dramatically. "I heard she's a distant niece of an executive."

Camila shrugged dismissively.

"I wouldn't be surprised. She has that 'I'm better than you' face, but it all seems fake. She doesn't even know how to use the systems properly."

Laughter spread around the table like wildfire.

"And the worst part," Camila added with a sarcastic smile, "is that she thinks she's so dignified, as if she weren't just another gold digger."

A short distance away, Valeria Salvatore watched the scene from an adjacent table. She closed her notebook firmly and stood up, interrupting the conversation without asking permission.

"It's funny that you have so much time to criticize someone who actually works," she said, looking directly at Camila. "And above all, how low to have to make things up to feel superior."

The group fell silent. Camila held her gaze for a few seconds before smiling with feigned politeness.

"They're just comments, Valeria. Don't take it so personally."

"Oh, I don't take it personally," Valeria replied, crossing her arms. "But if I hear another rumor about Alana, this conversation will be directly with Human Resources. And believe me, I have access."

With that said, Valeria turned on her heels and walked away with a firm step. The others looked at each other, uncomfortable. Camila pursed her lips in annoyance.

At night

Later that night, Alana and Sofia met again after several days without seeing each other. They had both planned to meet at Eclipse, the city's most popular bar, to catch up.

"Finally!" exclaimed Sofia, hugging Alana tightly. "Do you know how much I've missed you, woman?"

"Me too!" Alana laughed. "I didn't know how much I needed this until now."

They sat in one of the reserved areas, with dim lights and enveloping music. Alana told her some things about the company, avoiding the heavier details.

"And you? How's it going at the new company?" Alana asked as they toasted.

"Exhausting, but good. Although you can't imagine the amount of inflated egos that surround me. I swear I miss our hallway chats."

They laughed together.

Meanwhile, in another area of the bar, Camila had arrived with two Salvatore Tech colleagues. They sat at a table near the lounge and, as usual, began with their comments.

"Did you see who's over there?" said one, pointing discreetly towards Alana and Sofia.

Camila turned without disguising herself.

"That one? What a surprise... with her friend. Surely they came to plan their next story to play the victims."

"And those clothes?" added another. "She still seems to think she's at a charity gala."

Camila let out a dry laugh.

"Always so elegant to pretend. I wonder if she tells her friend that her ex still writes to me at night."

Valeria, who had arrived a few minutes ago with her group of friends, overheard part of the comment and turned around immediately.

"Camila, how lucky to find you here," she said with a sour smile. "Did you know there's a place called 'respect'? You should visit it sometime."

The others laughed and the tension in the air increased. Camila rolled her eyes.

"We were just talking. I didn't know that freedom of expression now had limits."

"Not at all," Valeria replied, taking a sip of her cocktail. "But you'd be better off using that freedom with a little more class. Or common sense." And she walked away

One of Camila Jimenez's friends, intervened to change the subject, and she took the opportunity to show off something more cheerful.

"Girls, by the way..." Camila said excitedly. "My boyfriend just gave me a trip to Capri. Capri! Can you believe it?"

"How envious!" said one. "Is he the same one who bought you that divine bag?"

"The same one," Camila replied. "He treats me like a queen. And it's not just because of what he gives me... it's because he listens to me, he takes care of me. There's not a day that he doesn't remind me how much he loves me."

The girls sighed in unison.

***This work has been signed with NovelToon, and piracy such as reprinting without permission is strictly prohibited.***

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***