Jealousy flickered across her face as she sized up my dress.
She scoffed.
“Young women dressing like this, bare arms and legs—it’s disgraceful to the company image!”
I kept my expression calm. “Monica, this is professional attire.”
Her gaze turned venomous as she stepped closer.
“Professional? I think it shows where your mind is.”
“Don’t think I don’t know what you’ve been doing here. What’s wrong, isn’t your husband enough for you? Now you’re seducing other male colleagues too?”
I frowned, confused.
I never even talked to the men at work.
But she fabricated accusations out of thin air.
“Stop pretending, Emily. I saw you straddling a male colleague the other day! What, isn’t Ryan enough? On the surface you look innocent, but behind his back, you’re nothing but a shameless flirt!”
Her words were sharp, vicious, and certain.
I felt insulted and raised my hand to push her away.
But Ryan slapped me across the face.
Pain exploded.
My ear rang as a handprint burned across my cheek.
He towered over me.
“You slut! No wonder you’ve been avoiding me lately—you’ve been getting your fill outside, haven’t you?”
Shock rattled me.
Just on her word alone, Ryan struck me.
I tried to explain, but he wouldn’t listen.