Chapter 44

Alice was impeccably dressed, elegance extending down to her two-hundred-thousand-dollar handbag. Around her stood several senior technical experts from Lambert Group. Their demeanor toward her conveyed both admiration and respect. Most of these tech leads were in their mid-thirties, and although a few were slightly younger, many harbored feelings for Alice.

She quickly spotted Grace and curved her lips into a smile. “Grace, you’re staying here too?”

The tech leads were familiar with Grace; after all, the two had faced off in a livestream before. Now, their expressions were filled with undisguised disdain.

“So, do I have time to hang around, Ms. Grace? Have those ten thousand orders been shipped yet?”

“Yeah, some people accomplish nothing while Ms. Alice here has already led billion-dollar projects at…” The speaker trailed off.

“That weren’t that livestream, I wouldn’t have even known she was the Lambert family’s oldest daughter.” Their laughter rang out, dripping with mockery.

Alice quickly intervened, saying, “Enmagh, don’t say that. You’re all equity employees, and my sister is technically your superior.”

Someone scoffed. “Does she even own any shares in the company?”

Alice hesitated before carefully responding. “Mom and Dad will give them to her sooner or later.”

“In that case, she’s not our superior.”

More laughter followed.

Alice turned to Grace and gently consoled her, “Grace, don’t take it to heart. They’re all tech experts and blunt by nature. I hope you won’t mind.”

In any company, senior tech leads were a source of strength. They stayed out of power struggles, but their loyalty could make or break an executive’s position. Winning them over meant securing one’s foothold.

Right now, Alice had clearly integrated herself into their circle. Even this small agricultural livestream project had these tech experts willingly following her lead. It was obvious that Alice commanded real authority at Lambert Group.

Grace had no interest in wasting her time on these trivialities and turned to leave. But the tech leads weren’t having it. They were highly respected in the company, so how dare the so-called “eldest daughter” of the Lambert family walk away without even acknowledging them? They could make her life miserable if they wanted to.

“Ms. Grace, what’s that supposed to mean? You look down on us?”

Grace paused mid-step, impatience flashing in her eyes.

“And what did I do?” she retorted. “A bunch of grown men are standing around gossiping about a young woman. Does that make you feel powerful?”

“You’re so used to being flattered at work that you’ve completely lost touch with reality, haven’t you? I have no conflicts of interest with any of you, but to me, you’re just a bunch of smarmy, gossipy middle-aged men. Do I owe you my respect?”

“Smug and greasy.” The words hit like a slap to the face, instantly igniting their fury.

“You? Even your father, Quentin, has to treat us with respect. Who do you think you are?”

Grace smirked. “If my father really treats you with such deference, I wonder how he’d feel knowing you all groveling at his daughter’s feet behind his back. It might make him a little uncomfortable, don’t you think? I mean, he’s not even out of the top seat yet.”

Their faces turned red, then pale. The truth behind their attitude toward Alice was simple. First, she was young. Second, she was a Lambert. And third, her own abilities were nothing compared to their experience. What man would still be interested in their weary, aging wives at home? At their age, most of them had stay-at-home wives. But men had their weaknesses by nature. Faced with someone like Alice—young, attractive, and impeccably put together—which man wouldn’t be tempted?

So, naturally, they treated Alice with envious admiration. She'd only slipped up in one area, revealing a hint of the underlying resentment.

Only to run straight into Yancey as he walked in. His expression darkened further; he had clearly heard everything.

“I understand that your words got twisted, but I didn’t expect you to be spreading lies about Alice in person, too. What exactly were you implying post-How? Are you saying she has something improper going on with these men? How vile can you be? She’s your sister! Who slanders their own sister like this?”

Grace was speechless. When had she ever said Alice was involved with them? All she pointed out was that those men’s attitude toward Alice was inappropriate. That was an entirely different matter. Tateny was clearly great at twisting her words. Grace still had several thousand orders waiting to be processed.

Deliberately, she yanked open the rear door, trying to get in. There was no time for polite discourse. Yancey grabbed her arm, his anger building.

“And then you allowed Ale to go all the way to South without a word, just so you could wear her down. Now that everyone is talking about her and her name, no wonder even your own little brother took sides. How is he supposed to hold his head up in public?” He continued, “You’ve been doing this for years, long before Alor and Mei came into the picture.” Alice had only reformed the Lambert family five years ago. And yet Liam still doted on her unconditionally.