Harris, holding a wine glass, said in a flat tone, “Go get something to eat.”
Relieved not to have to stay by his side, I quickly found a spot, picked up some food and began to satisfy my hunger.
I hadn’t eaten more than a few bites when a shadow fell over me.
“Outdated dress, wasted makeup. Lucy, you’re really embarrassing Mr. Johnson by showing up like this.”
I looked up.
In front of me was Leonard’s face, filled with sarcasm. He was Harris’s childhood friend and since I had lived with the Johnson Family since I was seven, we had essentially grown up together. Unfortunately, he had disliked me from a young age.
“It’s just work.”
I suppressed my discomfort and tried not to cause trouble.
“You could be independent, but you insist on being Mr. Johnson’s secretary. It’s no wonder he dislikes you. He gives that little minx Cindy new gifts, but doesn’t give you anything.”
Leonard’s face was filled with disdain and then he suddenly had a glint in his eye.
“I heard you even got slapped? You deserved it. Do you think Mr. Johnson kicked out Cindy for you?”
I froze in my actions.
He spoke with a smug tone. “Karen is coming back. Mr. Johnson likes Karen so much; of course, he wants to distance himself from someone like you. You might even be kicked out of the Johnson Family then.”
A piece of cake fell from my fork onto the gown.
The ear-piercing laughter continued. “Haha, so pathetic. You and your cheap dress don’t match up to Mr. Johnson.”
“Leonard, what are you doing?”
A cold voice came from behind.
Leonard turned around, his smug smile freezing.
“Mr. Johnson? I… I’m not doing anything.”
I stood up to wipe the stained gown, feeling a deep sense of frustration. Now, I couldn't return the dress.
A figure pushed Leonard aside, took off his suit jacket and draped it over my shoulders. He gave Leonard a sharp glance.
Seeing this, Leonard weakly explained, “She spilled it herself. It’s not my fault.”
The suit jacket perfectly covered the stain on the gown.
I looked up and met Harris’s dark eyes.
“Mr. Johnson, perhaps I should leave. I can’t be of much help like this.”
Harris wrapped his arm around my waist. “Abandoning a female companion is not a gentlemanly behavior.”
He guided me out of the banquet hall, greeting several partners along the way.
Once we were in the car, I took off the suit jacket.
“Mr. Johnson, your jacket.”