Perfect Match: Irresistible Desire For You
Chapter 48

Ashley picked up the photos lying on the table and looked at each of them. They were mostly photos of her and Joseph that were taken at the party. But, so what? It didn’t prove anything. “Are you seriously accusing me of leaking sensitive information about the company just because of these photos?” she sneered, looking Charlie straight in the eye.

“The company’s safety is our number one priority. Given the situation we’re in, I have no choice but to lay you off. This is what’s best for you and the company.” The reason might have seemed a little far-fetched, but Charlie still managed to say this in a rather firm and indifferent tone.

“This is preposterous! Where would I even get the company’s information? And what makes you think that I am in any position to influence Joseph’s decisions?” Ashley retorted.

“As the head of the marketing department, you were the one who negotiated with them on behalf of the company at the beginning. There’s a good chance that you found out confidential information about the company at that time. As for why you can influence Joseph’s decisions, that will depend on whatever kind of agreement or relationship you have with him. You probably have your own motives.” As he said these words, Charlie thought of all the times he had seen Ashley next to different excellent men. He felt a jolt of pain in his chest, which made him seem a little anxious.

When Ashley found out that Charlie was making an allegation without even an iota of evidence to support it, it really ruffled her feathers. For so many years, she had worked like a dog for the Synder Group, but how did they repay her? She was fired because someone blackened her name.

Charlie was so overcome by resentment that he didn’t even notice Ashley’s sudden coldness. Seeing that she remained silent for a moment, he thought that she was just at such a loss for words, so he said again, “Can’t think of anything to say, huh? The decision is final. You have been fired by the company. So, there is no point in talking more. You may leave!”

“Who would want to stay in a company that can’t even keep public interests separate from private interests? But, if you think that I’m just going to let it go, then you’re sadly mistaken. You can’t fire me without giving a reasonable explanation.” Trying her best to keep her composure, Ashley turned around and left.

On her way back from Charlie’s office to her office, she heard her co-workers whispering about her. Although she couldn’t make out what they were saying, she guessed that word about her leaking sensitive information about the company had reached the other employees. Of course, she didn’t like what was happening, but she knew that, just as Charlie said, there was no use saying anything more at this point, as it would only make the situation worse. So, she decided to just hold her tongue and let their words go in one ear and out the other as she walked to her office under the accusing eyes of her colleagues.

When she was about to walk back into her department, several colleagues approached her and asked anxiously, “Manager, what happened? Why are they accusing you of leaking sensitive information about the company? People are saying that you caused this financial crisis.”

The Synder Group might not have suffered a heavy blow from the financial crisis, but this concerned the company’s reputation and best interests, as well as the welfare of the employees. As a result, when everyone heard that all of it was caused by one of the employees who leaked sensitive information about the company, they were filled with righteous indignation. Ashley was a prominent figure in the Synder Group, not just because she broke up with Charlie a few days ago, but also because of her remarkable appearance and expertise. This had become a hot potato in the company at the moment, and a lot of people were arguing because of it. Those who were familiar with her stood up and spoke for her, and her colleagues from the marketing department quickly came over to ask what was happening and expressed their concern.

Ashley knew that her colleagues were worried about her, but she just didn’t know where to start. How was she supposed to explain everything to them? Of course, she could just tell them upfront that the company’s senior managers suspected her of leaking company’s information based solely on some photos that were taken at the party, but that wouldn’t be a good idea. After all, even if her colleagues believed her and were dissatisfied with the decision of the senior managers, none of them would be able to do anything about it. What was worse, it could even affect their career prospects, because at the end of the day, only the voices of powerful people could be heard in this society. Therefore, it would be better not to tell them anything lest they get involved in the mess she was in. Besides, whether she told them or not wouldn’t make that much of a difference.

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it. You should go back to work,” Ashley told her colleagues in her usual cold and indifferent tone.

“But the rumor is spreading like wildfire. Manager, you can’t just let them talk behind your back and insult you like this…” her colleagues insisted, feeling so anxious.

All her colleagues in the marketing department had faith in her. Although Ashley was usually cold and strict towards her subordinates, they knew that she was actually a warm-hearted person deep inside. Aside from always giving everyone advice and support on their work, she was also very easy to get along with. Knowing this, they believed that she wasn’t the type of person who would sell out the company to anyone. There was no way she would do such a thing. However, since Ashley seemed awfully calm, they couldn’t help worrying about her and got so worked up.

Seeing this, Ashley waved her hand to calm them down and gave her word. “All right, I want you to know that I didn’t do any of that, and I will do everything I can until I get justice for myself.” With everyone’s eyes on her as they eagerly listened to what she was going to say, she went on and continued, “The truth shall prevail. I appreciate your kindness, but please don’t worry about me. Now go back to work!” After giving them an answer, she gave an order as a strict superior.

When they saw her filled with aplomb, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. They had complete trust in her, so they did as she said and went back to their desks one after another.

After putting her colleagues’ minds at ease, she walked into her office. She saw that all her things had already been packed and placed on top of her desk. Upon a closer look, she noticed that there was a note on the box that said, “Ashley, I told you you would regret it!”

As soon as she read the note, she knew right away who wrote it. She sat down in her chair and sighed, “Lina, why do you always have to be so against me?” It seemed that the company needed an Aunt Sally right now to cover up the company’s issue to the public and the other employees. And since she happened to have a so-called ‘close relationship’ with the central figure involved in the issue, she had to be laid off. This was definitely a plot Lina had hatched to get her kicked out of the Synder Group. What was more, she even rubbed her success in her face. How despicable she was!

At that time, the despicable woman, Lina, was lazily sitting in her office and happily leafing the documents she had just brought over from Ashley’s desk. She was certain that there was nothing Ashley could do to get out of this situation anymore, which meant that she had finally succeeded in kicking her out of the Synder Group this time.

When Lina joined the marketing department, she became colleagues with Ashley. During her first few days there, the two of them were dubbed as the “marketing twins” by everyone in the company. However, as time went by, Lina’s true colors were revealed little by little, and everyone started distancing themselves from her. In the end, the more capable and graceful Ashley got promoted to the manager of the marketing department. When Lina saw that Ashley got a higher position and was well-loved by their colleagues, she grew more and more jealous of her. Later on, she went so far as to hook up with Charlie just to get a rise out of Ashley.

She had been dying to kick Ashley out of the Synder Group for so long. In her opinion, ever since she met Ashley, her sense of pride as the center of everyone’s attention had slowly been eaten up, and everything she wanted had been taken away by Ashley, which made her resent her even more. Needless to say, Lina was the one who plotted to kick Ashley out of the company by taking advantage of the state of confusion the company was in. First, she searched for the photos of Ashley and Joseph that were taken at the party. Then, she handed over these pieces of ‘evidence’ to the distrustful CEO of the Synder Group, James. Finally, she spread the rumor that Ashley leaked the company’s sensitive information to the employees, and she intended this to be the final nail in the coffin.