?Chapter 1155:


    Yvonne kept herself busy, knowing she couldn’t afford to lose focus now. Butter, during a short break in the break room, she couldn’t help herself—she took out her phone again. The harsh words she read stung like fresh wounds.


    After a few seconds of staring at the screen, she gave in and dialed Norton’s number.


    Instead of him, Leif answered. “Hello, Mrs. Burke. This is Leif. Mr. Burke is in a meeting at the moment. Would you like me to pass on a message?”


    Yvonne was quiet for a moment before answering softly, “No, that’s all right.”


    She smiled faintly, deciding there was no need to trouble Norton with something so small. She went back to her desk, brushing the whole thing aside.


    Hourster, her phone buzzed with a message from Norton. “Just finished the meeting. I’ll be traveling for the next few days. Heard that you called earlier—was something wrong? Or did you just miss me?”


    A small smile tugged at Yvonne’s lips as she pictured the look on his face while typing.


    She typed back, “It’s nothing. Take care, and safe travels.”


    She had hoped the online chaos would die down after a day or two, but instead, the situation only worsened.


    And with Norton away, she had no choice but to face it all on her own.


    For the past few days, she had been taking cabs to the office.


    That morning, as she stepped out of a taxi, she froze. A crowd had gathered outside the building, holding signs and shouting things like, “No shortcuts! Fire Yvonne Jimenez!”


    The security guards did their best to hold the crowd back, but it was no use.


    Yvonne stood there, caught in the chaos, unsure of what to do next. Then a familiar voice spoke beside her.


    “Come with me.”


    She turned her head and saw Ethan. Without waiting for a reply, he gently took her by the arm and led her through a side entrance, guiding her up the stairs.


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    Back at her desk, Yvonne sat still, her thoughts scattered. Everything felt like a blur.


    After a few minutes, she picked up her phone and checked what was being said online. Thements were harsh, even cruel.


    She was about to set her phone down when an unknown number shed on the screen.


    She answered. A sharp, angry voice exploded through the line.


    “Yvonne, you have no shame! How can you still show up at Stylist Magazine? You’re dragging the whole profession through the dirt!”


    The voice was so loud that a few of her coworkers nearby turned to look.


    Yvonne ended the call without a word. Her smile was faint and tired, but it didn’t waver.


    She turned off her phone and forced herself to focus on work.


    Hours passed. As the office slowly emptied and most of her colleagues went home, Yvonne packed up her things.


    Ethan, who had been quietly watching from a distance, walked over.


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