Stunning the World After Divorce Chapter 23 Rivals 13 min left " Please don't say that , " Michelle said . " Online rumors might not be true . Her job required interacting with many men . That's normal . " " Michelle , you're so kind ! And beautiful and generous too . We're lucky to work with you ! " Caroline rolled her eyes and walked forward . " Didn't I ban office gossip ? I haven't even officially resigned , and some have forgotten the rules ? " Her presence silenced the employees . " Caroline , you're here , " Michelle said . " Sorry for taking your position . I heard about your resignation . Best of luck . " Only then did the others realize Caroline wasn't their boss anymore . Someone found their voice . " What are you talking about ? Who's gossiping ? " Caroline's gaze was icy . " No one ? Strange . I heard something unpleasant and saw something disgusting . " Michelle caught Caroline's implied jab about her clinging to Caleb . 1/7 09:42 Chapter 23 Rivals 13 min left She looked hurt . " Caroline , are you talking about me ? Caleb offered me this job . You resigned . Given my history with him, I'm perfect for this role . I didn't steal your job . How can you be so mean ? " " So you knew I resigned voluntarily , " Caroline shot back . " Then why stay silent when they talked about my firing ? " " Who are you to her ? " someone defended Michelle . " Why should she explain ? You caused her brother's death and stole her fiancé . She owes you nothing ! " " If I hurt her so deeply , why pretend to defend me to you all ? " Caroline asked . " Ms. Adams isn't just kind - she's quite the actress . Keep on her good side , or you never know who she'll stab in the back next . " Wariness flickered across the gathered faces . Their newfound warmth toward Michelle evaporated instantly. Anger flashed in Michelle's eyes before they welled with tears . " You destroyed my family , but I didn't badmouth you to colleagues . Yet here you are , Caroline , painting me as two - faced ! " Her voice quivered . " These people were once your colleagues , too . Just because they showed me kindness , you mock them ? I know you have powerful backing in your new job , so you don't care about your former colleagues . But that's no excuse for 2/7 09:42 Chapter 23 Rivals public humiliation ! " Sensing Michelle's theatrics , Caroline knew they had an audience . 12 min left She turned to see Caleb , on his way to a meeting , watching with a cold stare . His face showed no trace of yesterday's allergic reaction - the treatment must have been prompt . Their eyes met , and Caleb's expression was stern . " Since you're so eager to cause trouble , get as far away as you can . I approved Michelle's appointment . Stop judging here . Grab your stuff and leave now . You're banned from the Martin Group without an appointment ! " Michelle played her part . " Caleb , why are you here ? I didn't want to bother you with this small stuff . Don't talk to Caroline like that . She was your secretary and handled important projects . That must count for something , right ? " Caleb's eyes narrowed . " Oh , and before you go , see Edwin to sign a non - disclosure agreement . If any unreleased projects leak , Caroline , you'll be my first suspect . " Caroline sneered , " Working , for you is thankless . I'm not even gone , and you're already making me the scapegoat . " 3/7 09:42 Chapter 23 Rivals She slammed a thick stack of documents on the desk . 12 min left " I've signed the contracts for all confidential content in unreleased projects . I'll take full legal responsibility for any breaches . " But don't worry about me breaking contracts . Worry if your new hires will even know where to start if info leaks . " After all , you've been an absentee boss for years , never bothered with such details . " Caleb's expression faltered . For years , he'd entrusted everything to Caroline , important or trivial . Beyond trust , he'd never imagined she would leave him . He never thought this day would come . During his silence , Caroline continued icily , " Of course I won't return to the Martin Group , because from now on , we're competitors . " Looking into Caroline's determined eyes , Caleb felt an inexplicable urge to stop her from leaving . Unconsciously , he reached for her wrist . 4/7 09:42 Chapter 23 Rivals →→ 12 min left Michelle immediately noticed his hesitation . She quickly inserted herself between them . " Caleb , I heard Anthony spent a fortune on security audits and aggressive marketing . He seems determined to poach Caroline . " Caleb sneered , " Her ambitions run deeper than just joining Anthony's company . She even rejected billions in investment , determined to build a pure game with her … friend . " " That's quite common , " Michelle mused . " I know several people who started companies with close friends . Some even ended up in marriage … " She quickly covered her mouth in false regret . " I'm so sorry , Caroline . That's not what I meant . You're married , and I'm sure you know your limits . " But her words hit the mark . Caleb's face darkened as he glanced at Caroline . " Now I'm even more curious . Without a big company , let's see how far your game can go . " With that , he strode away . Michelle's smile was triumphant as she looked at Caroline . But Caroline stayed calm , ignoring Michelle as she packed . 5/7 09:42 Chapter 23 Rivals Yet , Michelle approached again , offering a coffee cup . 12 min left " Caroline , sorry for my words . Thinking of my late family put me in a bad mood . Accept this coffee as an apology . " Caroline tried to move , but Michelle spilled the coffee over Caroline's documents . " Oh no , the documents ! " Michelle gasped . 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