Chapter 156: Admirer

"It's fine. I can handle it myself," Jared said, not wanting Hilda to bother. He'd already assigned the task to Tommy, who he believed could secure the contract.

However, Hilda doubted Jared's ability. He must be saying this to avoid worrying me, she thought. She discreetly pulled out her phone and called her former classmate.

Soon afterward, Hilda left the office, deciding to put in a good word for Jared beforehand rather than bringing him along. She hailed a taxi to Cosmic Chemical, a skyscraper in the heart of Horington and one of the industry's leading companies.

A security guard stopped her at the entrance. "What are you here for?"

"I'm here to see Mr. Leigh," Hilda replied politely.

"We have a rule: visitors must be escorted by the person they're meeting," the guard said.

Hilda called Jeffrey Leigh. A few minutes later, a well-groomed young man in glasses approached.

"Jeffrey!" Hilda waved.

Jeffrey hurried toward her. The guard greeted him respectfully: "Good day, Mr. Leigh."

"This is my friend. Don't stop her from entering again," Jeffrey said authoritatively. His tone suggested he was abusing his position.

"Yes, sir! Understood!" The guard nodded profusely.

"Hilda, come on in," Jeffrey said, leading her inside.

"Ugh! What a snob!" the guard muttered as they left.

"Wow! You're doing incredibly well, Jeffrey!" Hilda exclaimed.

"I'm doing okay," Jeffrey smiled.

In his luxurious office, Jeffrey poured Hilda coffee. Hilda eyed the opulent surroundings with envy. We started out together, and he's already in this position at a major company, while I'm just starting a new job! she thought.

"Didn't anyone tell you about last night's gathering?" Hilda asked, accepting the coffee. He's a classmate of everyone there, lives in the same city, and is successful—someone must have told him!

"Yes, I was told. But I've been busy. I heard Lincoln was there too," Jeffrey said, his face filled with disdain. He clearly avoided the gathering to avoid seeing certain people.

Hilda's expression faltered at the mention of Lincoln. In school, Jeffrey had admired Hilda, but Lincoln had been the popular one, and Hilda had chosen him over Jeffrey. This rejection had fueled Jeffrey's ambition. He'd excelled in his studies, secured a position at Cosmic Chemical, and rapidly climbed the corporate ladder to become an office administrator.

"Yes, he was there. He's Michelle's boyfriend now," Hilda replied, wanting to spare Jeffrey's feelings and also because she needed a favor.

"They broke up?" Jeffrey asked flatly.