chapter 12

The following day, Linet and Anita arrived at the company in their usual flawless style—dressed to impress, with impeccable makeup and hair. They had spent the night strategizing their arrival, determined to set the tone for how they would be treated from then on.

As they stepped through the glass doors of the company lobby, heads turned. The employees, who had only heard rumors about Anita’s new role and Linet’s possible involvement, were taken aback. The office, usually buzzing with a casual energy, fell into an almost hushed atmosphere as they walked in, both of them exuding an air of superiority and power.

Anita, who had always been keenly aware of the importance of first impressions, took a slow, deliberate walk towards the elevator, her heels clicking on the polished floor with each step. Linet, following close behind, matched her pace perfectly, her eyes scanning the room as if measuring each employee’s worth.

The receptionist, who had been busy answering the phone, looked up and froze when she saw the two women. She quickly stood up, adjusting her glasses as if to compose herself.

“Good morning, Ms. Grey, Ms. Linet,” she said, voice slightly trembling but trying to sound as professional as possible.

Anita gave her a tight smile, nodding. “We’ll be needing a full report on the current status of the company. Make sure it’s on my desk by the end of the day. I expect nothing less than perfection.”

Linet gave the receptionist a cold glance, making sure her presence was known. “And if there’s anything less than exceptional from now on, you’ll be hearing from me personally.”

The receptionist nodded, clearly feeling the pressure building. “Of course, Ms. Grey. I’ll make sure everything is prepared.”

As they made their way to the elevator, the employees exchanged uncertain glances. Word had already begun to spread that things were about to change, but no one had anticipated just how abrupt and commanding Linet and Anita would be. They arrived at the executive floor with a sense of entitlement that commanded immediate respect, their every move deliberate.

When the elevator doors opened, the scene before them was one of utter silence. The usually busy and noisy workspace had grown tense, everyone aware that the women now had the power to reshape everything.

Anita took her place at the head of the conference table, while Linet stood by her side, arms crossed in an air of superiority. It was clear that this was no longer just a business decision—they were here to demand control and make their presence known.

“Let’s begin,” Anita said, her voice smooth but firm. “I want to know exactly how things have been running around here. What are the biggest issues? What needs fixing? I’m not here for excuses—I want results.”

Linet leaned forward slightly, adding her own touch of intimidation. “And make sure you’re telling us the truth. We won’t tolerate lies or mediocrity.”

The employees, sitting stiffly at the table, shared uneasy looks but reluctantly began to speak up. Each report was met with approval or disapproval, depending on how well it met Anita’s expectations. She nodded, taking mental notes of what needed improvement, and Linet scrutinized every word, ensuring that no one was trying to hide the truth.

By the end of the meeting, the atmosphere in the room had shifted. The once-relaxed workplace was now under the firm control of two women who would stop at nothing to get what they wanted.

As they left the meeting room, Linet turned to Anita with a smile. “We’re off to a good start.”

Anita’s expression softened just for a moment. “It’s only the beginning, Linet. We’ll have them all exactly where we want them.”

The atmosphere in the office had just begun to settle after Anita and Linet's intense meeting, but the sudden appearance of Rita from the general manager’s office immediately grabbed everyone's attention. She was a striking woman, with an air of confidence that was often the subject of whispers behind her back. Her appearance only added fuel to the gossip that had been circulating about her—the rumors that she was playing a dangerous game with some of the men in the company.

As Rita stepped out, she caught sight of Linet, and an unsettling tension filled the air. Linet’s eyes narrowed, her lips curling into a scornful sneer. She could barely hold back the hatred that bubbled up inside her when she saw Rita. Rita was a woman who had always somehow gotten under her skin, and the idea that she might be trying to charm or manipulate the very people Linet sought to control was infuriating.

Before anyone could breathe, Linet snapped, her voice cutting through the office like a knife.

“Ah, look who decided to show up!” Linet’s voice was loud, laced with venom. Everyone in the office froze, sensing that trouble was coming. "Rita, the woman who thinks she can seduce her way to the top."

Rita, who had been calmly walking towards the elevator, stopped dead in her tracks. Her face flushed slightly, but she kept her composure, not wanting to give Linet the satisfaction of seeing her rattle.

“What’s your problem, Linet?” Rita said, trying to keep her tone neutral, though there was an edge of warning in her voice.

Anita, watching the confrontation unfold, leaned against the wall with a slight smirk. She wasn’t about to stop Linet—if anything, she was interested in how this would play out. Linet, on the other hand, seemed to be in full attack mode.

“Oh, I think you know what my problem is, Rita,” Linet snapped. “You’ve been here long enough to know that the only reason you’re still in this company is because you’ve been using men. That’s right, you’ve got quite the reputation, haven’t you?”

Rita’s face tightened, but she refused to let Linet see her vulnerability.

“What the hell are you talking about?” Rita asked, her voice a little louder now, though still controlled. “I’m not the one making baseless accusations, Linet.”

But Linet wasn’t done. She pushed forward, her voice booming, ensuring everyone in the office could hear her. “Oh, don’t pretend you don’t know. I hear everything. It’s no surprise you’re so eager to climb the ladder now that your poor husband left you. Tell me, Rita, how does it feel to be abandoned for someone younger and prettier? I bet that’s why you’re here now, isn’t it? Trying to charm and seduce every man in this office to get what you want. Too bad it’s not working.”

A stunned silence hung in the air as Linet’s words sank in. Rita’s eyes widened with disbelief, her pulse quickening.

“Are you insane?!” Rita shouted, stepping forward, her face red with anger. “You have no idea what you're talking about.”

“Oh, I think I do,” Linet replied smoothly, with a wicked smile curling at her lips. “I’ve been hearing the whispers, Rita. Everyone knows you’re just trying to latch onto whatever man will give you the attention you crave. Maybe you should stop playing the victim and face the reality of what you’ve become. A washed-up woman trying to win affection from the wrong places.”

Rita's hands balled into fists, and for a moment, it seemed like she was going to lose her cool. But instead, she took a deep breath, gathering her strength. She turned to face the room of employees who were all watching, some with pity, some with amusement, and some with embarrassment.

"Let me remind you, Linet," Rita began, her voice low but dangerous, "that I don’t need to rely on anyone but myself to succeed. Unlike you, I don’t have to play petty games or tear other women down to get ahead."

The words were like a slap in Linet’s face. She recoiled slightly but quickly regained her composure. She wasn’t going to let Rita get the last word.

"You’re nothing but a pathetic, lonely woman trying to fill the void with whatever validation you can find," Linet spat, her voice dripping with disdain. "But we all know who you really are behind the fake smile. A woman desperate for attention.”

There was a long pause, and then Rita, with her usual poise, squared her shoulders and took a step toward Linet, looking directly into her eyes. "You can keep trying to tear me down, Linet, but you’ll never break me. I’m stronger than you think."

Anita, sensing that this confrontation could spiral further, finally stepped in, her tone sharp and cold. “Enough. We’re here to make sure this company succeeds. Let’s focus on that, shall we?”