99 Times for Alpha’s Bestie novel Chapter 68

Claire’s POV

On Monday, I made my way to Moonves headquarters.

Upon my arrival, Mr. Merlin White personally greeted me, the renowned secret designer with whom we had been collaborating for three years, our meeting having somehow never taken place in person until now.

Merlin held me in high regard, immediately offering me the position of Deputy General Manager with a private office.

He credited my designs for single-handedly saving the company from collapse years ago.

This was good to know. But I politely turned down the prestigious offer, insisting on starting as a junior employee.

I explained that, given my social standing due to my unfaithful mate and his Alpha status, I didn’t want that to be the focus point around the water cooler. I wanted the team to see my abilities and not my ex-mate’s drama.

Understanding my points, Merlin agreed, though he promised the deputy position would remain waiting whenever I was ready.

With paperwork completed, I headed to the design department as a regular new hire.

During all previous collaborations, I had worked under the pseudonym “Seere”, leaving the entire company oblivious that this unassuming newcomer was actually the legendary designer they had all admired from afar.

While on route to get some coffee from the break room, I paused near the doorway as hushed whispers drifted out. There were several people in there, and unsurprisingly, they were discussing me.

“Ms. Taylor,” someone complained, “why’d we get a new designer when there wasn’t even an opening?”

“Mr. White’s decision,” a voice snapped back. “Didn’t bother telling me. What’s her name?”

“Claire Reese. She is stunning, but no one has any idea about her background. All we know is that Mr. White selected her personally.”

“Claire Reese?” The second voice turned shrill. “Wait, not Breanne’s bully? Ugh, this is just my luck!”

My breath hitched.

That voice… Ms. Taylor? Could this be Breanne’s notorious close friend, Queenie?

My eyes instinctively darted to the break room corner, where a woman in a crisp white pencil skirt held a coffee cup, exactly as I thought.

I found it darkly amusing. What were the odds? Breanne’s close friend Queenie not only worked here but also held a director position.

The hushed gossip continued inside. Queenie showed something on her phone to a coworker, her manicured finger jabbing at the screen.

“That’s her! She is a horrible person!” Queenie’s whisper carried venom. “I can’t believe Moonves would hire someone like her! That’s my bestie’s bully-she is a petty, jealous woman who drove her own mate away. How pathetic!”

Just as I thought-birds of a feather.

This so-called “high-society she-wolf” was just as vicious as Breanne.

I cleared my throat pointedly and walked in holding my cup, causing the chatter died instantly. Queenie and her colleague froze.

Pretending I hadn’t heard, I moved toward the espresso machine with practiced calm.

Queenie’s hand shot out, blocking my path. “New girl? Where are your manners? You don’t greet your superiors?”

I met her gaze evenly. “Sorry. It’s my first day. Still learning names, let alone titles.”

“Don’t play dumb with me! I know exactly who you are!” Queenie’s temper flared. Her palm whipped through the air, only to be caught mid-swing in an iron grip.

“Assault charges carry a prison,sentence, Ms. Taylor.” My voice remained calm even as my fingers tightened. “I suggest that you think carefully before you try to strike me again.”

Queenie gaped, momentarily speechless.

Flushed with humiliation, she yanked her wrist violently, only to find my vice-like grip unshakable despite my slender frame. The more she struggled, the tighter it became.

I may be wolfless, but I wasn’t weak as they all thought.

After a brief struggle, I released her with a composed, “I’m new here. My apologies if I’ve offended you, certainly doesn’t warrant abuse though, don’t you think?”

Coffee cup in hand, I turned to leave, and in that motion, an aura of command froze Queenie and her coworker like deer in headlights. It took them a stunned second to recover.

Let them wonder on what just happened. I may not have been granted the title, but I was still a born Luna. That carried an aura when I chose to release it.

“Holy… Is she really a newbie? That presence… Ms. Taylor, you just now looked totally-”

The colleague clammed up upon seeing Queenie’s mottled crimson cheeks, muttering a hasty apology before scurrying away.

I hung around close, I wanted to know what Queenie did next, I knew she wouldn’t let this humiliation slide easily.

Expectedly, she whipped out her phone.

“Breanne!” she screeched into the receiver. “Guess who just waltzed into my company today?! I’m boiling over!”

There was a pause. Clearly, Breanne was speaking on the other end of the call.

“Who else? Claire! The audacity-she brushed me off like I was beneath her! I tried to slap her, and that woman actually grabbed my wrist! I could murder her!” Queenie ranted, her cheeks flushed.

Another pause.

“She’s a designer, I guess! Since when did you not know this? I could have used a heads-up, you know. Now she’s been dumped straight into my department! If I’d known sooner, I’d have had HR trash her résumé on sight!” Queenie spat.

Another pause.

Queenie slapped her forehead with sudden realization. “Of course I despise her! She’s never deserved someone like Liam Sterling. Oh my Goddess, you’re right! Why didn’t I think of that? Breanne, you’re brilliant! She is going to regret coming onto my turf!”

Queenies dark expression cleared instantly, replaced by smug triumph as she abruptly hung up.

Perfect! Looks like Queenie is now Breanne’s puppet to make my career life miserable, but two can play the game.

The difference is, I will play it much better than someone as single-minded as Queenie Taylor.

Until then, I would resume my junior design role here at Moonves, enjoying the simple pleasures of openly and proudly working a 9-to-5 job without the Sterlings breathing down my neck, reminding me that civil occupations were beneath their pedigree.

I wasn’t aware that a rabid chihuahua was a specifically respected pedigree, but I stand corrected.

I smirk as I return to the small desk assigned to me. It was now time to lay out the game board and wait for Queenie to strike.