Chapter 62

"We're just joking around."The woman who spoke earlier quickly brushed off the tension and threw a brief,uneasy glance at her bewildered coworker.

Rivalries were common between departments. Their own department head had long-standing issues with the PR team,which meant they had to keep their distance,too.Inside the same company walls,they acted like strangers.

The second woman ried to stay composed.She didn't hide her phone right away because that would draw attention.Instead,she calmly passed it over to the PR staff.

Those who knew Marissa well were certain it wasn't her.It didn't make sense for someone from PR,who had barely exchanged a word with her,to recognize her at all.

And the woman's assumption turned out to be right.The PR staff had never met Marissa.She had only asked about the photo because a "Marissa" was mentioned in the statement she was preparing.

After taking a few more looks at the picture,she

found nothing special about it.

"You agree it doesn't look like Marissa,don't you?" one colleague said,taking a sip from her drink."I told her it wasn't Marissa,but she insisted the side profile matched.Pretty women tend to share the same features anyway.I could show you dozens of similar faces if you want."

While pouring coffee,the PR employee said,"I can't see the resemblance either."

With her cup emptied,she exchanged quick goodbyes with a few coworkers before heading back to the PR office.

As soon as she was gone,the talk turned right back to Marissa.

"I still believe it's Marissa,"someone said,squinting

at the photo as if each glance proved her point even more.

"Do you miss her already?She's been gone for almost two weeks,"the other said,letting out a sigh tinged with frustration."I've been messaging her every day,but she hasn't replied to any of them. Something must have happened for her to stay on leave this long."

"Probably something serious."

Their small group fell into easy chatter again,their voices light but curious.

"Look at this headline.It says two daughters from the same rich family in Ozreka are fighting over one man."

"Oh,those sisters had an argument at the wedding."

"Do the rich ever run out of drama?Enough with the gossip.Let's get back to work!"

"Hold on.Doesn't the woman's side profile in that video remind you of Marissa?"

One of the coworkers pinched the screen to zoom in on the image.

"Oh wow,you're right!It really does!"

"Wait,let me have a look too!"

"See?The angle looks just like Marissa's.That's exactly what I was saying—beautiful women tend to share the same kind of features!"

"Hang on a second.Doesn't the woman standing beside her look like Evelina?"

Before the conversation could spiral further,a colleague placed an arm around the younger woman's shoulders and gently steered her back to

her desk."Enough about that.There are tons of people who look alike.Quit snooping and focus on work."

"Ugh,why is it that luck never finds me?Everyone else seems to be getting rich,"one of them said as they all trudged back to their stations,laughing under their breath.

While everyone returned to their desks,photos from the wedding began spreading across the internet,instantly catching public attention.Online headlines exploded with sensational claims.

"Chaos unfolds among the elite as two women from a powerful family battle over one man.The so-called heiress turns out to be a fraud,stealing the real one's fiancé ."

"A shocking tale where life imitates fiction:the fake heiress and the genuine one."

"Curtis Group's CEO goes all out to pamper his mysterious girlfriend."

"Breaking news:the identity of the CEO's girlfriend is finally revealed!"

Despite the storm brewing online,the diligent employees paid no mind.They focused on their screens,lost in their work.

Inside the office,the rapid clatter of keyboards filled the air.

Berkley,who always blended into the background,

pushed up her glasses and sneaked a glance at her coworkers.Gathering courage,she discreetly pulled out her phone and typed a message to Marissa.

Somewhere else,Marissa's phone buzzed just as she was heading to have her makeup done.

The message read,"Marissa,everyone's wondering when you're coming back.Are you planning to return?"

Earlier,Marissa had casually mentioned her plan to resign so she could focus on something of her

own.

None of her coworkers knew about that conversation.

Berkley assumed Marissa had already secured another job and even thought about following her lead.Life at Fletcher Group was exhausting,and she'd grown tired of the endless workload paired with low pay and little room for advancement.

Instead of answering privately,Marissa opened a group chat,which included a handful of their closest colleagues.

The chat,usually quiet during work hours, suddenly came alive with chatter.

"How are you supposed to make money if you're not working?"

"Dream on."

"Ah!How cruel of you."

A faint gleam of humor in Marissa's usually composed eyes as her fingers danced swiftly across the screen.

"With a million dollars,you could live comfortably just on the interest."

"Marissa,you have a point!"

"Hey,don't tease me like that.I don't even have a hundred thousand to my name."

"Please,Marissa,come back soon!I can't handle all this alone.I'm on the verge of breaking down. Evelina's been slacking off again—she didn't even show up today!"

Evelina had moved to another department,but while Marissa was on leave,she somehow found her way back.

Before Marissa stepped away,she'd closed a massive deal,and everyone in the office quietly

assumed Evelina returned just in time to take the credit.