Chapter 703

Juniper was about ready to pull her hair out with that mountain of paperwork in front of her. Mira was always on her case, and it was driving her nuts.

No other choice. She had to grind through it.

On her way to the bathroom, she stumbled into some juicy gossip.

"Mira, you're going on a trip with Mr. Eilish? Ugh, so jealous! Alone time with that hottie? Must be heaven."

Mira was loving it but played it cool. "It's just work, you know? You see him at the office too."

"Yeah, but a business trip is different. Maybe you guys can grab a drink or something... Mira, you're gorgeous, what if..."

"Stop it! Mr. Eilish has a girlfriend. And our Mira's got class, not like some two-timing chick trying to snag Mr. Eilish."

"Right? It's been weeks. How hasn't Mr. Woods seen through her yet? He's dated enough to spot a fake."

"Shows how slick she is. Even Mr. Woods can't see through her."

"She's something else. But one day, her true colors will show, and it'll be bad."

"Yeah, girls like that never end well. Better to be like our Mira-beautiful, talented, and respected. Mira, you're totally getting promoted to chief secretary soon."

"Mira, don't forget us when you're the boss."

"Yeah, don't forget us."

Mira wasn't into office gossip or sucking up. But when it came to Anthony, she couldn't help but feel a bit smug.

She grinned. "You're thinking too far ahead. I'm just focused on working hard and making Eilish Group better."

"Wow, so noble."

"Mira, you're awesome."

"Mira, you're my hero! I wanna be like you."

Juniper felt like puking. 'Someone who really cares about the company wouldn't be targeting me and stealing contracts.'

She used to admire Mira for being cold but fair. Now? Not so much.

If she didn't need the bathroom so bad, she'd avoid them. But she had nothing to hide, so why dodge?

Juniper walked in cool as a cucumber. They exchanged looks and the gossipers bailed.

When Juniper came out, Mira was still at the mirror.

'Waiting for me? Got something to say?' Juniper thought.

She went to wash her hands.

Mira asked, "You heard all that, right? Mad?"

Trying to get under her skin? Mira didn't know Juniper well enough. Juniper smirked. "If I got mad over gossip, I'd be mad all the time. I don't care about that stuff."

Mira sneered, "You act like it's not your fault. If one person targets you, maybe it's them. But if everyone hates you, it's on you."

Juniper just shrugged. "Yeah, it's my problem. The problem is I'm too awesome, making people jealous. Can't help it. Being hot and talented naturally makes people green with envy. Some folks who are miserable lash out to feel better. Someone as amazing and gorgeous as me? Of course, I'm a target. Nothing I can do."

It was harsh, but it was the truth. From childhood to now, plenty of girls had taken shots at Juniper because she was always top of the class and drop-dead gorgeous.

She didn't give a damn.

She'd figured out long ago that if people were coming for you, it meant you were killing it. What she had was something others couldn't get, something they envied and hated, so she was winning.

And Mira was one of those haters.

Before Juniper showed up, Mira didn't even know what jealousy felt like. She came from money, never wanted for anything, and those rich girls were too far removed to bother her. She knew different people had different fates, so she didn't envy them. But Juniper, just an ordinary girl, had Anthony's attention.

What Mira envied most was Juniper's face.

But the more she envied, the more she acted all high and mighty.

Mira sneered, "You just rely on your looks. A pretty face is temporary, you know..."

Juniper cut her off, "Temporary? I've been pretty for over twenty years. Is that temporary? I can keep this up for a long time. Even at forty, I'll still be a knockout."

"Is being pretty useful?"

Juniper nodded. "Yep, super useful. With this face, I've scored a ton of perks. This is a looks-obsessed world. Being good-looking makes life smoother, and people treat you better."

Mira shot back, "You're only talking about men. A failed woman relies on men and feels proud. But I rely on myself, and you'll never compare."

Seeing Mira's face getting darker, Juniper's smile got even more smug. Mira might have seniority at work, but when it came to a verbal smackdown, Juniper never lost.

Juniper reminded her, "Mira, my degree is higher than yours."

Mira snapped, "Maybe you bought it. I don't see your skills."

"A diploma from Star University, buy one for me? As for skills, I was specially recruited by Terry, while you had to jump through hoops with interviews."

Mira was fuming inside, thinking, 'This bitch is saying she beats me in looks, education, and skills!'

Juniper kept going, "Let me tell you something. I don't need to rely on men for money because I'm loaded myself."

"You're just full of it. I bet you're not rich but someone's sugar baby," Mira spat out.

"My real dad is the CEO of the group. Do I need to be someone's sugar baby? My dad's assets alone are enough for me. I've been rocking designer brands since I was a kid, hitting up high-end parties, but I wanted to keep it low-key, so I didn't flaunt it." Juniper stepped closer, crossed her arms, and looked at Mira's darkening face, grinning proudly. "I'm telling you this to let you know life isn't fair. Some people are born winning, like me. Even if I never work, I've got endless cash. So I'm different from you. I work just for kicks. That's fate, so you can't envy it!"

"You..." Mira was completely losing it and shoved her hard.

She actually got physical!