hapter 295
Many employees who heard Benji and the others were here came over to watch. When they saw Calton bluntly turning Berry down, they couldn’t help but laugh, casting disdainful glances at Berry and others.
Wendy felt completely humiliated, her face turning red with embarrassment, never expecting this kind of outcome.
Berry was equally embarrassed, inwardly cursing Calton and even his family, ‘What a petty jerk. He not only targets me but also makes me lose face so publicly!‘
Berry was extremely embarrassed and didn’t know how to salvage the situation when, in the next moment, Calton, who had been distant just a second ago, turned toward a certain spot, his handsome face now showing a more amiable and approachable demeanor.
Calton glanced at Shakira, who had just stepped out of the conference room to stretch, and changed his tone to her, “You came out of the same conference room… Are you colleagues?”
out to
Shakira replied seriously, “These two are representatives from Norpa Technology sent to Lopez Group, specifically handling the new project. I’m in charge of following up on this meeting.”
“I see.” Calton nodded with a look of sudden realization, gestured toward the anxiously waiting person in charge with his chin, and asked, “What do you think of her?”
Wendy suddenly felt her heart leap.
Shakira exchanged a look with Calton and saw the mischievous glint in his eyes. She answered honestly, “Not bad.”
Calton nodded, understanding instantly. “Not bad… So it means things aren’t going well. Looks like I was right to reject them.”
Berry was rendered speechless.
So was Wendy.
Wendy thought, ‘Finally, the suspense is finally over. What is this all about?
‘Isn’t Berry Mr. Lopez’s beloved girlfriend? Didn’t the bigshots enjoy her handmade doughnuts during the Carnaval? How did things end up like this? Judging by this, it seems that Mr. Jennings treats Berry even worse than he treats a new intern at Lopez Group!
‘If only I had known, I wouldn’t have made things difficult for Shakira just now, or I wouldn’t be in this awkward position.
Wendy shot Berry an angry look before heading back to the conference room.
Berry bit her lip hard and followed with her head down. As she walked past Shakira, she gave Shakira a dirty look.
From the brief conversation in the conference room; Shakira could roughly guess what was happening. It seemed that the one who pulled the strings mentioned in Xanthe’s gossip wasn’t Fiona, but Berry, who was trying to act big by using someone else’s influence.
Berry was really hooked on it. First, she pretended to be a fox to get close to Walter, and then she pretended to be the one who made doughnuts.
“Shakira!” Shakira was deep in thought when Benji quietly snuck over, whispering to her.
Shakira’s eyes flickered, but she didn’t move.
Benji looked around, his face stern. “Don’t you need to work?”
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Chapter 295
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When the usually cheerful Benji suddenly got angry, everyone was too scared to mess with him and quickly scattered to get busy with their own things. Then, Benji turned toward Shakira’s direction and spoke with authority, “You, come here.”
Shakira raised an eyebrow and walked over to him. As soon as she stood in front of Benji, he immediately switched to a pleading tone, winking at her. “Shakira…”
The onlookers couldn’t help but laugh at Benji’s cowardly act. Shakira sighed, “Mr. Benji Lopez, just call me by my full name.”
Shakira pointed at the newly issued ID badge she had just received.
Benji glanced over and chuckled, “No one can hear us. When we’re alone, I’ll keep calling you Shakira, it just feels natural.”
Shakira had no choice. “Why are you all here?” she asked.
and work hard on “Of course, we’re here to see you,” Benji whispered. “I heard from Walter. I know you want to avoid S P your own, but the workplace is filled with those annoying politics. Even the strictly managed Lopez Group can’t escape them…
“If people know you don’t have any support, they’ll try to step over you to move up. That’s why I came around to give you some backing, so no one dares to target you casually.”
Shakira was a bit surprised and said gratefully, “Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Benji Lopez.”
Benji said, “We’re family. That’s what we do.”
Calton finally realized. “So, that person from Norpa Technology was making things difficult for you?”
Shakira pursed her lips. “Pretty much.”
“I knew it. These guys are all bark and no bite when it comes to their bosses, but they pick on you because you’re just an intern. They’re taking it out on you!” Benji was seething with anger.
Shakira shrugged nonchalantly. “It’s fine. You also said the workplace can be tough. I joined this internship to face things like this, just like everyone else.”
Gavin chuckled knowingly, “Ms. Nelson, no wonder Mr. Lopez likes you so much. Your unique charm is indeed intriguing.
Benji glared fiercely. “Why are you giving Shakira that suggestive look? Trying to steal her away?”
Gavin’s smile faded as he warned. “Benji, if you want to court death, I don’t.”
Benji huffed, “Glad you understand. Why’d you give Shakira that flirtatious look?”
Gavin rolled his eyes, not bothering to argue with Benji.
As Benji reprimanded Gavin, Shakira suddenly remembered what Levi had mentioned before she left home. She spoke up, “Mr. Benji Lopez, I drove the electric car you had parked at home when I came over.”
“Oh, that’s fine, feel free to use it whenever you want, Shakira,” said Benji.
Shakira smirked, “I heard that you used to drive the electric car for Uber rides just to chase your girlfriend. I’m curious. How did you manage to get only her ride requests?”
Benji chuckled and waved his hand modestly, “Oh, it was simple I invested in the ride–hailing app company and had their developers adjust the system so only her requests were sent to me.”
He reminisced with a nostalgic smile. “I picked her up three times that day. She thought it was fate and agreed to be my girlfriend that very night.”
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18:02 Tue, Nov 26
Chapter 295
Words failed Shakira.
D
He bought the cheapest car but invested in the most expensive shares. Benji certainly knew how to handle his money.
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Maris walked out of the conference room and saw Shakira and Benji with a few others, her eyes showing a hint of surprise.
“Mr. Benji Lopez,” Maris approached, nodding courteously to Benji, then turned to Shakira. “The meeting continues at 2 PM. You should head back for now.”
Shakira glanced at the time. “Alright.”
After Maris left the conference room, Wendy slammed the documents onto the table. Noticing the tense atmosphere, the two girls quickly shut the glass door.
With a stern face, hiding her anger, Wendy turned to Berry. “Give me an explanation.”
Facing the burning anger from Wendy, Berry remained composed. In the earlier panic, she had already thought of an
excuse.
5
Berry said, “I didn’t think it through just now. We should be cautious to avoid gossip, especially since we’re in Lopez Group.”
Wendy thought, “Trying to find another sponsor while in Lopez Group is like a slap in their face. No wonder Mr. Jennings was so polite to a young intern. He was doing it for Berry’s sake, helping us out.
‘If word of this reaches Mr. Lopez… He won’t blame his girlfriend, but he’ll definitely think we are unfaithful!‘
Wendy changed her expression when she realized the implications, breaking into a cold sweat.
She quickly apologized to Berry with the utmost flattery, “Oh, my mistake. Luckily, we have you, Berry. If it weren’t for you, I could have really messed things up!”
Berry’s lips curled into a proud smile. “It’s nothing. After all, even Calton has to show respect to someone.”
She left her words unfinished, but everyone naturally assumed that the person referred to Walter.
“Exactly, because you are no ordinary person,” said Wendy.
With just a few words, they were completely convinced. Berry didn’t say anything more and left the room with a satisfied smile amidst their flattery.
Berry thought, ‘So, this is what it feels like to have someone powerful on my side… It’s really satisfying!”
She was about to tell Yvette about this when someone suddenly blocked her path. Berry looked up, and the smile on her face immediately froze.
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