Chapter 10

The manager had assigned Alexia her duties. The company lobby, offices, and restrooms were all part of her cleaning responsibilities. She wasn't sure why Calvin had changed his mind, but she wasn't about to dwell on it. For her, this was undoubtedly a good thing. Even if it was just a janitorial job, she accepted it wholeheartedly. Her cleaning partner was Melody Graves, a spry 58-year-old, who moved with practiced efficiency and a sharp eye for detail. "These young girls nowadays care about looking pretty and staying classy. Even if they're broke, they'd never choose to be a cleaner. They think sweeping floors is dirty and embarrassing," Melody remarked. "Work is work. As long as it's legal, you do what you need to do to earn a living with your own two hands," Alexia replied, pausing to take a breath before wiping down a countertop. "Cleaning isn't embarrassing—having an empty wallet is." Melody nodded in approval. "You're right about that. Not many young women think like you these days." Alexia offered a smile. "There are plenty. You just haven't met them yet." Melody chuckled at her humility, liking her all the more. The two worked side by side, chatting while cleaning the restroom. Just then, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the space. Moments later, Hailey strolled in, her face lit with a mocking expression. "Alexia, as soon as I heard you joined the company, I just had to rush to find you. But… What are you doing cleaning restrooms?" Alexia knew Hailey too well—they'd grown up together. This wasn't a friendly visit. Hailey was here to stir up trouble. Fixing Hailey with a cold stare, Alexia replied evenly, "What's it to you?" "Wow, someone's got a temper! But seriously, that face of yours matches that hideous janitor's uniform perfectly. A match made in heaven, truly…" Hailey smirked, her voice dripping with fake sympathy. Ignoring the comment entirely, Alexia turned back to her work and said calmly, "Move your feet, please. I'm mopping." For a moment, Hailey's smug smile faltered. But instead of stepping aside, she planted her feet firmly on the ground, glaring at Alexia with defiance. Alexia didn't even blink. Without a second thought, she raised the mop and slid it right between Hailey's feet, mopping around her with a nonchalant air. "Argh!" Hailey let out a shriek so loud it could've shattered glass. "You idiot! My brand-new, limited-edition heels! You've ruined them! Get down on your knees and clean them right now!" Alexia straightened, her expression unbothered. "What part of 'move your feet' didn't you understand? I warned you to step aside. You're the one who stood there like a statue. How is that my fault?" "Lies! When did you ever tell me to move? I didn't hear you!" "Then I'd suggest getting your hearing checked at the hospital. Maybe even booking an appointment with a specialist." "You—!" Hailey's face flushed crimson, and she trembled with rage. "Do you want me to fire you right now? Because I will!" Alexia fired back, her tone sharp, "And what gives you the right to fire me?" Hailey's smirk deepened, her voice dripping with pride. "Because I'm Mr. Reed's girlfriend!" Alexia leaned in close, her voice dropping to a quiet, cutting whisper. "And I'm Calvin's legally married wife." That struck a nerve. Hailey's smug expression twisted into something darker. "You won't be for much longer!" "But I am right now! So, what does that make you? A girlfriend? At best, you're his secret mistress. Tell me, is being a homewrecker some sort of family tradition of yours?" Alexia shot back. "Alexia, you bitch!" Hailey's scream echoed through the room as she lashed out, kicking over a nearby trash can. The once-spotless floor was instantly littered with tissues and garbage, the results of a morning's hard work completely ruined. Alexia's expression darkened, her voice dangerously low. "Pick it up." She could tolerate Hailey's childish attempts to humiliate her, but destroying the hard work Melody had poured into cleaning the restroom? That crossed the line. Hailey noticed Alexia's anger and, instead of backing off, seemed to delight in it. Her smirk widened as she walked to another trash can and tipped it over, spilling more garbage onto the floor. Alexia's chest heaved with fury, her voice cutting through the tension. "I'll say it one more time. Pick it up." Hailey spun around, her expression dripping with smug defiance. "I won't. What are you going to do about it?" Before Alexia could answer, Melody, who had been quietly observing from the corner, stepped forward. "Miss, how can you act like this? We worked hard all morning to clean this place, and now you've ruined it on purpose. This is beyond disrespectful." Hailey turned on Melody with a sneer, her lip curling. "And who do you think you are to lecture me? If the floor's dirty, clean it again. You're janitors—that's what you're paid for. Stop whining and get to work." Satisfied with her remark, Hailey turned and began strutting away. But Melody, unwilling to let it slide, grabbed her arm firmly. "You made this mess on purpose. You can't just walk away—you need to help clean it up." Hailey recoiled in disgust. "Don't touch me with your filthy hands, you old hag. It's disgusting!" Melody refused to let go, her grip tightening. Annoyed, Hailey yanked her arm back and shoved Melody hard. Melody stumbled, falling onto the hard floor with a cry of pain, her face twisting in discomfort. Alexia rushed to her side, helping her up with urgency. Turning back to Hailey, her voice was sharp with fury. "Hailey, you'd better not regret this!" But Hailey, unfazed, smirked triumphantly. Without another word, she strutted out of the room in her high heels, leaving the chaos behind. Melody, still clutching her back, sighed helplessly. "What a shame." Alexia's jaw tightened. "Melody, you rest. I'll handle this myself. And don't worry—I'll make sure she pays for this." After cleaning up the mess, Alexia headed straight to find Adrian. "Adrian, can you help me pull up the hallway security footage near the restroom?" Adrian looked surprised. "Mrs. Reed, why do you need the footage? Did you lose something?" Alexia shook her head. "No, I need it for something else." "Alright," Adrian said, nodding. "Give me a moment. I'll have someone retrieve the footage for you." "Make sure it's high-definition. And, if possible, I need the audio too," Alexia added. "Don't worry. Our company's security cameras are top-notch. You could see a fly clear as day, let alone people." A faint smile touched Alexia's lips. "Thanks. I'll buy you a latte tomorrow." Adrian grinned. "Thank you, Mrs. Reed." "Adrian, stop calling me Mrs. Reed. That'll only cause trouble for you." Adrian blinked in confusion. Alexia explained kindly, "Mr. Reed doesn't like me. He'd prefer it if people didn't know who I am." Realization dawned on Adrian's face. "Got it. Thanks for the heads-up, Ms. Vega. I'll be careful." He couldn't help but think to himself—Alexia seems like a pretty nice person. Once she had the video, Alexia wasted no time. She forwarded it directly to the company's WhatsApp workgroup—the same one Adrian had added her to just days ago. It didn't take long for the chat to erupt. The video circulated rapidly, shared again and again until nearly everyone in the company had seen it—including Hailey. "Wow, she looks so classy on the surface, but what a lack of manners!" one person commented. "Haha, she's got some nerve! Acting like a spoiled brat and claiming to be Mr. Reed's girlfriend!" another chimed in. "Which department does she belong to? She's a real piece of work. Bet she'll be packing her things by tomorrow!" someone joked. Hailey watched quietly as the chat exploded with heated discussions, her face turned darker with every notification. When Hailey finally looked up, she noticed her coworkers sneaking glances at her. Some were smirking behind their monitors, others whispering and laughing quietly. Unable to endure it any longer, Hailey shot up from her chair and stormed out of the office. Finding a secluded corner in the hallway, she pulled out her phone, tears welling in her eyes as she choked out, "Mr. Reed…"