As soon as the man finished speaking, everyone at the table laughed and began chiming in with their own fawning words, all starting to flatter Mika Summers.

The compliments drifted from her work to her looks, and then from her looks to her connection with Mr. Kent.

In their eyes, they could never accept being outranked by a young woman like Mika Summers.

But she was the woman Mr. Kent favored, and she would be their new boss. Naturally, they had to offer a few compliments to get on her good side.

What they didn’t know, however, was that Mika absolutely loathed it when all her hard work over the past two years was chalked up to a relationship...

An unreadable smile flickered in Silas Kent’s eyes as he raised his wine glass to Mika. Snapping back to reality, she forced a smile, nodded, and leaned in close to whisper in his ear, "I’m just going to the restroom."

"Mm."

Mika grabbed her clutch from the table, stood up, and walked straight out of the room.

Once outside the room, she gave a helpless, wry smile and headed for the restroom at the end of the hall.

Just as she was about to reach the restroom, she heard a woman’s shrill voice, and she stopped in her tracks.

"Cousin, I’m not trying to pick on you, but it’s just a toast with a guest. Do you have to be so reluctant? Besides, for someone like Mr. Warren to take an interest in you, that’s your good fortune."

"I’m here to work, not to entertain guests."

"Cousin, don’t tell me you still don’t understand your position, do you? You think you’re still the glamorous Miss Bishop you used to be? The way you are now, forget entertaining guests—even if you were told to sleep with one, you wouldn’t be in a position to refuse."

"Sleep with them? Cousin, didn’t you tell me I was just coming here to be a waitress?" 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"That’s right, a waitress. And what is a waitress supposed to do? Serve the guests with all your heart. That’s what serving means."

...

Hearing the name "Miss Bishop" only made Mika’s brow furrow slightly, but when she heard the conversation take an even uglier turn, she strode angrily into the restroom.

Just as she’d thought, "Miss Bishop" was Eleanor Bishop.

Eleanor Bishop was just about to retort when she saw another woman walk in. She swallowed her words, but when she got a clear look at who it was, her eyes widened in surprise as she looked at Mika.

At that moment, she felt the urge to flee in disgrace. How could she let a member of her family see her in such a pathetic state?

But she couldn’t move a single step. Not only that, her eyes began to well up.

Ever since the incident with Archie Summers over two years ago, she had felt a deep sense of guilt toward Mika...

Mika didn’t say a word to Eleanor Bishop. Instead, she turned her gaze to the woman standing next to her. Noticing she was wearing the same uniform as Eleanor, Mika gave a scornful smirk, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "A waitress?"

"I know you!" the woman exclaimed, ignoring the question. She frowned, studying Mika for a long moment before pointing at her in shock.

Mika’s lips curved into a cold, mocking smile. "Heh, yes. I suppose we do."

"You! I’ve finally found you! Over two years ago, you slapped me three times at the airport, and I never even got to hit you back!" As she spoke, the woman raised her hand and lunged at Mika.

Seeing this, Eleanor shot out a hand and grabbed Rowan Ross’s arm tightly. "Cousin, you can’t hit her."

"Why can’t I hit her? Cousin, don’t you forget whose side you’re on! It’s bad enough you’re not helping me, but now you’re stopping me? Do you have any idea she’s the reason I am where I am today?" If it weren’t for Mika, she never would have been reduced to working as a waitress here.