Chapter 6: I’ll Show You How
Lyka Sanders, Xena’s agent, sat on the edge of her seat, trembling with seething fury as she endured the incessant ringing tone. Impatience and eagerness gnawed at her nerves as she waited for the other person to pick up the call. Finally, when the ringing stopped and Imogen’s voice came through, Lyka snapped with immediate anger.
“Ms. Forbes, if you feel Xena isn’t worthy of your company, just say it directly. You’re not our only choice! After we’ve pushed off all other endorsements, you’re just going to replace Xena? Are you playing tricks on us? You must give Xena an explanation for this matter.”
Hearing the aggressive tone and accusation of the person on the other line, confusion immediately surged through Imogen. Still, she pulled herself together and managed to calmly reply, “Lyka, please calm down first. Xena is our spokesperson. How could we possibly do that?”
Lyka seemed to think Imogen was merely feigning innocence, so she reiterated what had happened with a bit of sarcasm. “Huh? You don’t know yet? The director of your public relations department called me in person and said they wanted to replace her.” Finally grasping the situation, Imogen paused momentarily to mentally prepare her response, aiming not to worsen the situation. She then said, “Lyka, I will immediately clarify this matter and provide your side with an explanation.”
The call pacified Lyka somewhat, and it finally ended.
Imogen massaged her temples for a while before getting up and heading straight to the office of the public relations department.
During her three years at the Marshall Group of Companies, Charlene Johnson, the head of the public relations department, had caused her a lot of trouble.
As Imogen stormed towards the public relations department, an employee couldn’t help but whisper, “Looks like a good show is about to happen.”
Sighing, she added, “Ms. Johnson and Ms. Forbes have never gotten along peacefully.” The moment Imogen stepped into the Director of Public Relations office, she didn’t waste any time. Without further ado, she demanded, “Charlene, please explain Xena’s endorsement.”
Charlene was not surprised to see Imogen come over. She crossed her arms and walked over slowly. “Ms. Forbes, why are you so angry? Please have a seat.”
A bit irritated, Imogen replied, “Don’t put on airs for me. Mr. Marshall has already approved the plan. Why are you interfering with our McKesson campaign?”
“So what if I intervened? What qualifications do you have to shout at me? If it weren’t for your short–lived father, could you be in the Marshall family and work as the McKesson brand director? You seem to forget already where you came from,” Charlene taunted, refusing to show any sign of weakness.
Imogen felt the anger boiling within her, but she managed to keep her composure, meeting Charlene’s gaze with steely resolve. “How I got the marketing director position is none of your concern. You don’t know anything, but you talk big,” she retorted.
She wouldn’t allow anyone to insult her father! Never!
As the tension between Imogen and Charlene escalated, the room seemed to shrink, suffused with a charged atmosphere that drew the attention of many employees away from their workstations. Instead, all eyes were fixed on the fiery exchange unfolding before them.
“What? Am I wrong? Aren’t you the one who tried to worm your way into the Marshall family? Didn’t you seduce Mr. Marshall?” Charlene added fuel to the fire, wearing a disdainful smile as she looked sarcastically at Imogen.
She had seen Imogen get off Troy’s car and frequently enter his office at noon several times in the company. Thus, she hired someone to investigate. Later, she discovered Imogen was just a bumpkin out of the mud, relying on her short–lived father to donate his liver to Henry Marshall, Troy’s grandfather. It was said that Imogen even used it to manipulate the Marshall family into adopting her. And now that she had entered the family, she repeatedly pestered and seduced Troy.
Charlene’s jealousy only intensified as she continued her barrage of accusations. “Unfortunately, Ms. Page has returned to her home country! So now, Mr. Marshall won’t even spare you a glance, no matter how much you beg him! If your short–lived father knew—”
Before Charlene could finish her sentence, Imogen’s control snapped. Her hand flew across Charlene’s cheek with astonishing speed and force, the sharp sound echoing through the entire floor, leaving everyone gasping in shock.
Charlene clutched her burning cheek, her eyes wide with disbelief. “How dare you hit me, Imogen! Your father just deserved to have a short life with such a shameless daughter like you. He should have-”
For the second time, Imogen didn’t let Charlene finish her hurtful words. “Since you don’t know how to respect, I’ll show you how,” she said, raising her hand once again.
But just as she prepared to strike Charlene’s face again, someone behind her intervened. Imogen struggled against the restraining hold, but her efforts were in vain. When she finally turned to see who had stopped her, she was taken aback to find Troy standing there, his expression stern.
“Mr. Marshall.”