Chapter 40

"Jack."

As Jack walked out of the office, he heard someone call his name. He turned around and saw Vanessa.

Vanessa was wearing a Chanel-style coat and carrying a black leather bag. Her hair was immaculately styled, and she was even wearing designer jewelry. This was a stark contrast to her previously low-key appearance.

"Where is Mr. Landon?"

Remembering Sebastian's instructions, Jack raised his hand to stop her. "Mr. Landon is very busy right now and can't see anyone."

Vanessa paused for a moment, then held up the thermos in her right hand. "I made oatmeal porridge for him."

"Give it to me." Jack reached out to take it.

But Vanessa avoided his hand and her smile stiffened. "I heard Isabella got a promotion. She shares an office with Mr. Landon now. Doesn't that mean she has a higher position than you?"

Although she was smiling, Jack could clearly sense her displeasure.

"That's Mr. Landon's decision. As a subordinate, my job is to follow the boss's arrangements."

Vanessa smiled and said, "Of course. I was just curious. Just asking."

Jack nodded. "If there's nothing else, I'll go and get busy."

"Okay." Vanessa's smile gradually disappeared as she watched Jack leave.

At that moment, Laura walked over and asked, "What did Jack say?"

"Nothing," Vanessa replied, turning around. Her smile returned.

Laura noticed Vanessa's Chanel suit and exclaimed, "Is that the latest collection from Chanel? I saw the pictures in a magazine last month, but the actual pieces look even better."

Before she could finish her sentence, Laura spotted Vanessa's bag. "Oh my, is that the new Louis Vuitton? The color is so luxurious."

Laura's gaze dropped to Vanessa's shoes. "Even your shoes are designer! Your outfit must be worth at least several hundred thousand dollars, Vanessa."

Laura enviously said, "Mr. Landon treats you so well! You're so lucky, Vanessa."

This was the first time Vanessa had felt someone's envy. Laura had a proud personality and attracted many suitors with her beauty. People often envied her. But now, Laura was envious of Vanessa because her suitors rarely possessed both good looks and wealth. If someone like Sebastian pursued Laura, she would feel incredibly happy.

"You're really lucky, Vanessa!" Laura said, grabbing Vanessa's hand, her tone filled with jealousy.

Blushing, Vanessa smiled and said, "It was fate."

Even though she said that, her sense of vanity and the satisfaction of being envied grew within her.

Just then, Samantha approached them, grabbing Laura's hand. "Please help me, Laura."

Samantha's face was full of tears, and she looked sorry for herself.

Sighing, Laura said, "If Mr. Landon wants to fire you, what can I do? I just asked you to deliver some documents, but you went to the wrong place and accidentally bumped into Mr. Landon. I can't make him take back his decision."

Samantha was on the verge of tears. She wanted to create an accidental encounter to leave a deeper impression on Sebastian, but she had ended up getting fired. She had only started working for half a day, and she hadn't familiarized herself with the workflow yet. She had even boasted about herself to her friends. If she got fired, she would become a laughingstock.

Laura couldn't stand Samantha's pestering and turned to see Vanessa suddenly coming up with a plan.

She pulled Vanessa aside and said to Samantha, "I have an idea. This is Mr. Landon's wife. Maybe she can help you."

Samantha looked at Vanessa in surprise. She had noticed Laura talking to her from afar.

She could tell that Vanessa was dressed in designer clothes and looked extravagant, but she didn't have much charm, even with her luxurious attire.

If Laura hadn't mentioned it, she would never have known that Vanessa was Sebastian's wife.

Vanessa sensed Samantha's skepticism and smiled, asking, "Is this the new intern in the department?"

She spoke to Samantha as Sebastian's wife would.

Samantha quickly reached out her hand and bowed, saying, "Hello, Mrs. Landon, I'm Samantha, the new intern assistant who just joined today. I heard Laura talk about your achievements before, but I never expected to have the honor of meeting you today. You look very elegant."

Vanessa knew Samantha was trying to flatter her, and her praise wasn't genuine, but she still felt satisfied.

"I don't work at the company any longer and can't get involved, so I can't help you," Vanessa said.

Vanessa did want to help Samantha, but she knew Sebastian wouldn't listen to her.

But Vanessa had to pretend to be selfless and not let anyone catch on.

"You won't help me plead my case?" Samantha looked disappointed. She really might lose this job. How would she explain it to her friends and Matthew?

Seeing this, Laura pulled Vanessa to the side and whispered, "You better help her out, Vanessa. Do you know who she is?"

"Who is she?" Vanessa asked.

"She's Isabella's college roommate and former close friend."

Vanessa exclaimed, "She's Isabella's friend?"

In that case, Vanessa couldn't leave her at the company.

Laura said, "They used to be friends, but not anymore. I heard Samantha saying that Isabella tried to seduce her boyfriend, but Samantha caught them, so their friendship fell apart."

Vanessa felt even more surprised and excited. "Isabella seduced Samantha's boyfriend? Really? How could she ruin someone else's relationship?"

Laura sneered. "I told you, Isabella's innocence is just an act. I really want to expose her. I don't understand why Mr. Landon always protects her. If Samantha stays, she'll definitely expose Isabella's ugly past, and everyone will see her for who she really is."

Vanessa thought for a moment, turned to Samantha and said, "Don't worry, I'll talk to Mr. Landon for you."

"Really? Thank you so much, Mrs. Landon."