Oops I Banged the CEO novel Chapter 121

Yvonne nearly choked when she heard that.

“Oh, come on. It’s just a coincidence,” she managed, sitting up straight in her chair. “With Mr. Hamilton’s net worth, there’s no way he’d wear a ring that cheap.”

She didn’t dare pull her hand from Nydia’s grip, worried it would only draw more attention and make her look even guiltier. So Yvonne kept her composure on the outside, though inside she was cursing Marico a thousand times over.

Linda’s assistant, Anna, had caught wind of the commotion and joined the crowd. She grabbed Yvonne’s hand and examined the ring for a long moment, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she said, “This thing? Looks like something you’d buy from a discount store. The real deal would cost over ten grand. Didn’t peg you for the type to chase after status symbols.”

Normally, Yvonne would have snapped back, but today Anna’s snark was actually saving her from more awkward questions. So Yvonne just pulled her hand back, covered it with her other, and offered a sweet smile. “Maybe. My boyfriend’s not exactly loaded, but I care more about what the ring means than what it’s worth.”

Her heart was pounding, but after half a minute, the initial shock had faded.

Anna’s sneer only grew. “Some people are so naïve, it’s almost cute. You’re exactly the kind of girl who’d fall for a cheap trick. But hey, if you like it, who am I to judge?”

Nydia bristled at that. “Why do you care? It’s not like you’re rolling in cash yourself. Can’t you take a joke? Just because there are a bunch of girls with the same ring doesn’t mean they’re all dating Mr. Hamilton.”

Anna rolled her eyes, but just then her phone chimed. She glanced at the screen, then flashed it in Nydia’s face with a smug grin. “Look—Ms. White just posted a picture of this ring. Mr. Hamilton’s girlfriend is obviously Ms. White. Someone like Yvonne—just another office worker—doesn’t stand a chance. Honestly, keep dreaming.”

She snickered, as if the whole thing was some elaborate joke.

But Yvonne just felt relieved, not embarrassed. She even managed a laugh.

“Nydia was just teasing. Why are you taking it so seriously, Anna? What, are you hoping Mr. Hamilton will ask you out next?” Yvonne shot back.

Everyone turned to Anna, their expressions a mix of amusement and curiosity.

“Come on, Mr. Hamilton’s practically perfect. Of course we all have a little crush—it’s just gossip. It’s not like some people, who act like he’s already theirs,” Nydia chimed in, mimicking Anna’s earlier mocking tone.

Anna’s face flushed red, then white. She glared at Nydia. The two of them had never gotten along, despite their similar names.

When the crowd finally dispersed, Yvonne replayed Xenia’s photo in her mind. Clearly, Xenia had allies inside the Hamilton Group. That incident at Marico’s birthday party, when they’d worn the same dress—it had probably been planned. What an obsessive woman.

Yvonne took a sip of water, calmed herself, then opened Marico’s private account. She sent him the photo and messaged, “Why did you wear the same wedding ring to the office?”

Yvonne: “You really hold a grudge, don’t you?”

Marico: “Are you sure you want to provoke me? Hmm?”

Even through the screen, Yvonne could feel two very different kinds of pressure coming from his words. She quickly deleted her last message and replaced it with: “Mr. Hamilton is the most handsome man in the world. It’s an honor for a humble girl like me to have your first kiss.”

She tossed in an adorable little emoji, pushing her luck.

After hitting send, Yvonne couldn’t help but laugh, then hastily added: “But I’m pretty sure my first kiss was stolen by my grandma’s puppy. You’re actually the second.”

Marico’s eyes narrowed as he read her reply.

Was she calling him a dog?

Fine. Very well, Yvonne.