Chapter 155

Many people claimed the big boss disliked me and no longer wanted to visit the construction site. I ignored their hurtful words, continuing my work and dinners as usual. Life and work remained unchanged, except that few people spoke to me. I silently organized data, commuted alone, and ate lunch in a secluded corner. They deliberately avoided me.

Actually, it didn't matter. My focus was on earning money. On the fifteenth day, the office staff finally received their salaries; it was my first official paycheck. Seeing ten thousand newly deposited into my account, I felt immense joy. Payday was usually a celebratory occasion, with the office buzzing with excitement as everyone left for the day.

Chapter 155

Bennett clapped his hands, exclaiming, “Come on, everyone! We got paid, and I'm treating you all to a meal!”

“Hey, Bennett, you’re awesome! Thanks a lot, Bennett!”

“Bennett, I want hot pot.”

“Bennett, how about barbecue?”

The chatter subsided when someone pointed at me, saying, “Bennett, aren’t you going to ask her out?”

Bennett frowned, his disgust evident. Before he could speak, I calmly replied, “Thank you, but I have something to do after work.”

Bennett snapped, “I never said I was going to treat you.”

I silently packed my bag, preparing to leave. Bennett stopped me, angrily demanding, “What do you mean? Why ignore me?”

I looked at him indifferently. “Haven’t you been unwilling to talk to me and moved my workstation to the corner?” Bennett was speechless.

The colleagues chimed in sarcastically, “Oh, throwing a tantrum now, are you? It was your mistake. We just got lucky our salaries weren’t deducted this time.”

Bennett mumbled, “Exactly, I was planning to invite you to get hot pot together, but I didn’t expect this attitude.”

“Thank you, and I wish you a happy meal. I’m leaving now.”

“Hey, what’s with your attitude?”

Bennett’s frustrated voice followed me, but I ignored him and hurried towards the exit. I didn't need to endure their ridicule.

At the exit, I bumped into Auntie and Trevin.

Auntie smiled, “Esmeralda, did you receive your salary today?”

“Um,” I nodded.

Auntie added, “That’s great! Girls should save their salaries and not spend recklessly.”

“Well, I knew that, Aunt.”

“Esmeralda, we got paid too. Let me treat you to spicy hot pot.”

Trevin spoke, but Auntie elbowed him. “You’re the only one who knows about spicy hot pot. What’s the big deal about treating someone to hot pot for the first time?”

“Oh,” Trevin mumbled dejectedly.

Auntie looked at me meaningfully…

Chapter 155

“Um, Esmeralda, this job Trevin found for you was good, right? Look at those factory workers, toiling tirelessly for five to six thousand a month. This job—sitting, nine-to-five, weekends off, and such a high salary—it's like finding treasure. If not for Trevin, you wouldn't have found such a good job, right?”

“Yeah, that’s right. We really need to thank Trevin,” I said, looking at him. “I’ll treat you both to a meal later.”

I knew Auntie was trying to get a free meal, but I owed them one anyway.

Trevin quickly said, “No need, no need. How can I let a girl like you treat me…?”

His aunt nudged him, smiling at me. “Actually, we don’t care about the meal. I just want you to remember how good Trevin is.”

1103