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The boss plastered on a smile, approaching."Honey, what brings you here?"
Sophia shot him a cold look."What, it's my company's gala— Can't I attend?"
The boss had married into Sophia's family. He was just a figurehead, but she held all the real power.
He groveled like a puppy." Sweetheart, you misunderstood! I meant, if you were coming, you should've texted so I could pick you up."
Sophia snapped," I'm not helpless. Besides, I haven't shown my face at the company in a while—I don't want bad habits festering."
She threw Lauren a pointed glance.
Lauren, who'd been so smug about her scheming, suddenly looked as if a storm cloud had passed over her face. Catching Sophia's look, she switched to a fawning expression.
"Mrs. Grant, the boss meant we're wrapping up—you're late..."
Sophia's arrival had the boss on edge.
Seeing Lauren speak, he shot her a scolding look.
"Late?"
"Then we'll start the next round!"
Sophia's suggestion won cheers.
She moved to pay my bill.
Lauren stepped in, blocking her." Mrs. Grant, Emma's treating us—how can you pay?"
Even now, Lauren wouldn't abandon her plot against me.
Sophia scoffed."What, think I, the owner, can't afford it?"
Her words shut Lauren up, and Sophia had the boss pay.
Under Sophia's lead, the company headed to the next venue.
Panicked about his affair being exposed, the boss signaled Lauren to make a quick exit.
Reluctantly, she tried to excuse herself.
"Mrs. Grant, I'm not feeling well.I'll head out—you all have fun."
Sophia grabbed her." Lauren, everyone's here—how can you leave?"
"Feeling off? Come with us, rest there."
"Leaving now hurts team unity.I'd have to reconsider your promotion rating."
Sophia turned the boss's threat against Lauren.
Lauren looked to the boss for rescue.
He smoothed things over." Lauren, follow Mrs. Grant's plan. Come along."
Lauren couldn't escape.
The second venue was the city's swankiest karaoke lounge.
Once everyone arrived, Sophia took the mic.
"Everyone worked hard this year."
"I hear your boss held a lottery at the gala…"
The guilty boss sat rigid, while Lauren sat far from him.
Sophia glanced at her."Let's play a little game."
"Someone here will cover this round, and I'll double it back to you."
She smiled at me.
"Since Emma was the last lucky winner, she'll draw our next lucky one."
