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Chapter 28

Calla’s eyes flickered in thought. Instead of pulling her phone away, she pretended to still be on a call. “Darling, rich food makes me feel queasy right now. Let’s eat something simpler. Oh, okay. Of course. Let’s talk more over lunch later. See you later, darling!”

Done with the act, she put her phone down. But when she looked up, she immediately froze!

She was dumbstruck. Why had Mercer suddenly showed up at the office? He was staring at her in silence too.

Knowing that he must’ve heard what she said just now, she hastily lowered her head. She dared not meet his gaze.

Some of her colleagues were sniggering in secret while others kept their gazes down. Derek hurriedly tried to smooth things over.

“Calla, you shouldn’t be making personal calls during working hours!” Derek chided.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Connaught,” Calla stood up and said shakily.

She glanced at Mercer, only to find that his expression remained neutral. She couldn’t tell what he was feeling.

“Mr. Garland, I’m sure you’re aware of Calla’s track record. She’s a hard worker, and she has never made personal calls during working hours. Well, since she’s… pregnant now, suppose her husband might be more concerned about her,” Derek said to Mercer. He did his best to put in a good word for Calla.

Perhaps it would have been better if he hadn’t, however. Somehow, his explanation made Calla feel a little strange.

“There’s no excuse for making personal calls during working hours. Cut her attendance bonus for this month so that others won’t imitate her!” Mercer instructed before striding out of the office.

“I’ll see you off, Mr. Garland!” Derek said as he followed Mercer.

Alicia frowned and shook her head at Calla, feeling bad for her friend’s bad luck.

Feeling annoyed, Calla sat back down at her desk. Her monthly attendance bonus was 500 dollars, but it had been cut just like that! She cursed Mercer for being such a harsh employer. That amount could pay for a month’s worth of groceries.

After seeing Mercer off, Derek came over to Calla’s desk and chastised her, “Oh, Calla. It was Mr. Garland’s first time inspecting our department. Why did you end up making a

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mistake today of all days? Your actions today might end up affecting his opinion of the entire finance department. You need to learn your lesson and reflect on yourself!”

“I’ll be more careful next time,” Calla said. She had no choice but to admit her fault in the matter.

Sighing, Derek went back to his office.

Once he was gone, Alicia scooted over to Calla and muttered, “I guess putting all your effort into making such a convincing act wasn’t a good thing after all!”

“Stop reveling in my misfortune. You need to treat me to lunch today. I’m not getting my attendance bonus this month,” Calla retorted as she rolled her eyes.

“You have a real husband and a fake one too. Why would I need to buy you Alicia teased before returning to her desk.

lunch?”

“She cares more about money than friendship!” Calla grumbled under her breath as she cursed her rotten luck.

When it was almost lunchtime, Calla received a message on her phone.

“Merc here. I’ll be waiting for you in the Premiere Lounge at the Riviera for lunch.”

Calla instantly knew that “Merc” stood for Mercer. When did they get so well–acquainted that he was using a nickname with her, though?

Having read the message, Calla was conflicted. She had already agreed to have lunch with Harlan.

Nevertheless, after thinking about it, she knew she dared not cross Mercer. He was like the devil to her. Thus, she decided to lie to Harlan and say that something came up at the last minute. Their lunch would have to be rescheduled.

It was almost lunchtime, so Calla quickly called Harlan. Unfortunately, none of her calls got through. She figured he had put his phone on airplane mode again. It was something he often did when he was in class or a meeting.

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