Leona Grant’s flawless face was a cold, undisturbed mask, her inky eyes revealing nothing but indifference.
’Was it all an act? Well, there was one way to find out.’
...
The bus made frequent stops, so it was a slow journey. By the ti Annabelle Linton got to the hospital, she was cutting it close.
She had just stepped into the hospital when a jarring voice cut through the air.
"Well, well, who do we have here? If it isn’t Mrs. Grant. Absolutely no sense of ti. I don’t think you’ll find anyone else in this hospital who manages to show up for work right on the dot. But who can bla her? She’s got money to burn and married a good husband, right?"
It was a shrill, biting voice. Even if Annabelle had never heard it before in this lifeti, she would have known exactly who it belonged to.
Faye Sheffield. Her high school classmate and current colleague. Faye had no real talents to speak of, unless you counted her expertise in sarcasm, jealousy, and malicious gossip. Annabelle truly couldn’t find a single redeeming quality in the woman.
There was one exception, however: Vivian Yates, whom Faye practically worshipped as a goddess.
If Vivian Yates was the type of person who was sharp and knew how to play her cards right, then Faye Sheffield was her polar opposite. Faye had no real substance but snapped at people like a rabid dog, making enemies everywhere she went. The mont she saw soone doing better than her, she had to sidle up and sling a few tart, sarcastic comnts, making herself utterly repulsive.
In her past life, those two had ganged up on her and bullied her relentlessly. Annabelle hadn’t planned on stooping to their level, but after hearing that, she decided there was no reason to hold back anymore.
"You’re right." The corner of Annabelle Linton’s mouth twitched into a smile, her gentle eyes tinged with sarcasm. "People should definitely be punctual... I’m just so sorry that I don’t have ti to get to the hospital as early as you, only to stand by the door watching for latecors instead of actually starting my work."
"It’s 8:27." Glancing at her watch, she added coolly, "I’m not late for another three minutes."
"You think I’m that idle?" Faye Sheffield blurted out instinctively.
"Heh." Annabelle looked her up and down, a smirk playing on her lips. "Then what are you doing standing here?"
"I just..." Faye Sheffield sputtered, unable to finish.
She realized she had fallen right into Annabelle Linton’s trap.
If she denied being idle, she would be admitting to slacking off. But if she claid she had just arrived, she would be contradicting her earlier taunt.
As her anger flared, Faye Sheffield quickly realized sothing else.
’Was this sharp-tongued woman before her really the sa Annabelle Linton who was known for being a weak-willed pushover who hated arguing?’
She narrowed her eyes as a thought seed to strike her. A contemptuous smile slowly ford on her face. "Silly . Of course you wouldn’t be late. Surviving a suicide attempt with sleeping pills and still showing up to work on ti... now that’s a work ethic I have to admire. So tell , what does it feel like to have your own husband not trust you?"
But the pained and embarrassed reaction Faye Sheffield expected never ca.
Upon hearing this, Annabelle’s expression remained perfectly calm, like the surface of a placid lake that a light breeze couldn’t ripple.
"Oh, so you’re aware you’re a moron? ’Suicide’ and ’overdose’ are two very different things. You’ve been here for half a year and still haven’t managed to get your pharmacist’s license. I used to think this hospital just had high standards, but now..."
Annabelle shot her a beaming smile and continued bluntly, "...now it seems the problem is all in your head. There’s a saying that’s true, you know: you can’t fix stupid. It suits you perfectly."
Faye Sheffield’s face went pale with rage. "How dare you insult ?"
"Who are you to ? Why wouldn’t I dare?" Annabelle retorted without a backward glance as she stepped into the elevator. "I hear stupidity is contagious. I should probably keep my distance."
Faye Sheffield was so furious she stomped her foot.
’That bitch!’
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