Chapter 125

Zoe pursed her lips and smiled, glancing at a woman in the group. Recognizing her as Grace's friend from a recent shopping trip, Zoe saw an opportunity to vent her frustrations.

When Lina's eyes met Zoe's, she sensed trouble.

As expected, after dinner, Zoe proposed a toast. Due to her injured leg, others took turns toasting her. When Lina's turn came, Zoe deliberately knocked over her wine glass, splashing wine on Lina's shoe.

"Even if you didn't want to toast me," Zoe said, "you shouldn't have made me drop my glass. You could have simply told me I wasn't welcome."

Lina stared at Zoe. The director, without investigating, immediately ordered Lina to apologize.

"Lina, apologize to Miss Stevens!" he demanded.

"Yes, Lina, apologize immediately!" her colleagues echoed.

They all knew Zoe was targeting Lina, but none dared offend her. She was from the Stevens Group, and offending her could cost them their jobs.

Lina remained silent.

"Lina, don't get us into trouble," the director said softly, pulling her aside. "Do you want us to lose our jobs?"

Gritting her teeth, Lina approached Zoe. "Miss Stevens, I'm sorry. It's my fault," she mumbled.

Zoe smiled. "Since you admit it's your fault, you should make amends. My shoe is dirty. Clean it, and I'll forget about this."

Lina stared.

"I'm injured," Zoe added, "so I hardly think you'll insist I clean it."

Lina's colleagues urged her to comply.

With no choice, Lina bent down to clean Zoe's shoe, knowing it was revenge. A strange sense of relief washed over her; at least it wasn't Grace bearing the brunt of Zoe's anger. Grace had been through enough.

Suddenly, Zoe stepped on Lina's hand with considerable force, seemingly trying to crush it.

Lina cried out. Everyone was stunned.

"Oh no! I'm so sorry I stepped on you," Zoe said, smiling. She refused to remove her foot.

Lina looked at her colleagues, then at Zoe, before abruptly standing up.