Georgia nearly choked on her own breath from Victoria''s sharp retort. She stormed over to the tech department entrance, voice rising as sheid into Victoria without preamble.
"Turner! Ms. Marchand wants you in her office right now—are you deaf? Who do you even think you are? Just because Mr. Garcia''s taken a liking to you, you think you''re untouchable?"
She didn''t wait for a response, her voice echoing down the hallway. "Everyone else here is working themselves to the bone. I''ve got a mountain of tasks every day, and now I have to chase you down too-can''t even get you on the phone! What makes you think you can throw your weight around like this?"
"If you''re really Mr. Garcia''s girl, why don''t you just go home with him and y house? Why make life harder for the rest of us just trying to do our jobs?"
Georgia never minced words. Everyone within earshot froze, expecting Victoria to be mortified. To their surprise, Victoria didn''t even look her way.
George, standing nearby, couldn''t watch any longer.
"Georgia, would you please let Ms. Marchand know that we''re in the middle of something urgent here? If she really needs Victoria, she''ll have to wait-we''re on a tight deadline."
Georgia hovered in the doorway, but George didn''t hesitate. He closed the door firmly in her face.
Through the ss, Georgia watched as Victoria followed the tech manager into the server room.
Fuming, she grabbed for the handle, only to find the door had been locked from the inside.
"Fine..."
With a huff, Georgia stalked off down the hall.
"Don''t let her get to you, Victoria," one of the techs said, shaking his head. "No wonder that girl''s still single, with a temper like that."
No one in the department looked down on Victoria for Georgia''s cheap shot about her and Curtis. If anything, they were appalled by Georgia''s behavior.
Since joining tech, Victoria had pulled her weight and then some. She often brought work home just to lighten everyone else''s load, making sure the team could dive into the next day''s programming with clear instructions.
At first, all they''d heard were rumors-the typical whispers that she''dnded her spot thanks to her looks. But as they actually got to know Victoria, it became obvious she was nothing like the gossips imed. She was sharp, hands-on, and her technical skills outstripped even some of thepany''s PhDs.
The fact that she only had a bachelor''s degree made her talents all the more impressive. Over time, respect and genuine admiration reced any lingering doubts.
Victoria spent the entire afternoon in the server room. Meanwhile, Georgia made a beeline for Violet''s office to vent. As she passed the Investment Department, Ailie waved her over.
"Georgia, Ms. Marchand needs thetest investment deal wended-three hundred million. Take it to her, will you?"
Ailie dropped her voice, ncing around. "It''s important. Once she''s reviewed it, bring it straight back to me so I can finalize the contract. Everyone who''s part of this gets a cut. If it''s approved, you''ll get a bonus from my department''s share—" Georgia took the file with a bored look. "A bonus? How much are we talking?" "Two percent. Over a million."
Georgia''s eyes widened in disbelief.
Ailie leaned in, lowering her voice further. "Just put in a good word for me with Ms. Marchand. The money isn''t a big deal."
Georgia grinned, tucking the folder under her arm. "You''ve got way more sense than Victoria. No wonder you''re a real manager-she went from Garcia''s secretary to assistant manager, and now she''s stuck in tech. Should''ve known better."
She smirked. "Don''t worry. Stick with Ms. Marchand and I''ll make sure she hears all about how capable you are."
Georgia strutted off with the file, head held high. As she disappeared around the corner, Ailie sneered at her retreating back. "As if I need that homewrecker''s help to get ahead. She''ll be crying soon enough..."
She closed the door, locking it behind her, then turned to the rest of the Investment team. "Shut the blinds, turn off your phones. Meeting time."