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    After that little episode, Reba focused on her work. When one was concentrating, they temporarily forgot unhappy things. It wasn’t until Jane asked her out for lunch that Reba snapped out of her work.


    “Let’s go,” Jane said simply. Her outfits were always in the simplest colors and styles. Reba was momentarily


    stunned.


    Jane spoke casually, “Let’s have lunch together. There’s something I want to discuss.”


    Reba agreed and followed Jane. Reba usually ate alone after work, so havingpany felt unfamiliar.


    The two ordered some casual dishes at the restaurant across from thepany, sitting face–to–face. Jane asked bluntly, “You don’t get along with Andrea.”


    Reba didn’t hide it. “No,” she replied.


    Jane poured her some water and said, “Andrea currently works directly with Mr. Hanson. All our tasks go through her. Unless it’s absolutely necessary, don’t make the tension obvious.”


    Reba stayed silent. She couldn’t tolerate it—not their past school conflicts nor Andrea’s current provocations. Her dislike kept growing.


    She hated Andrea so much that sharing the same space felt suffocating. If not for the massive penalty for breaching the contract, she’d quit immediately.


    “She’s getting along well with others in the department now. If you target her without exnation, people will just think you’re difficult to work with,” Jane exined patiently.


    Reba seemed gentle on the surface, but in truth, she couldn’t care less about others‘ opinions. “I don’t mind,” she said.


    Jane raised an eyebrow, making Reba feel uneasy under her gaze. “What’s wrong?” Reba asked.


    “Have you ever held a real job before?” Jane had suspected that since the first day, and felt certain at that


    moment.


    Reba paused and then shook her head. “No.”


    Jane reasoned with her calmly. “Open conflicts might work in some roles, but ours requires constant coboration. Tension in the team would hinder our work and weigh heavily on you personally.”


    Reba lowered her eyes. She thought, ‘I didn’t consider that much. I only knew Andrea was deliberately provoking me. I want nothing from her, not even contact.


    “Thank you, Jane.” Reba processed everything she’d heard.


    “I don’t know what’s between you and Andrea, but don’t fall into the trap she’s setting,” Jane spoke with the calming tone of an understanding older sister.


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    Hearing that, Reba felt like a mental switch had suddenly flipped open.


    Seeing that Reba understood, Jane didn’t say more. The two ate together in silence.


    After they finished eating and were walking back, Reba hesitated for a while before speaking, “Jane…”


    Jane responded, “What?”


    Reba gradually lowered her defenses. “Why were you telling me those things?”


    Normally, Andrea had greeted everyone warmly since her arrival. Her words were impable, and her attitude made people feel she was exceptionally approachable. Most would consider her very amiable, so Reba wondered why Jane was acting the opposite.


    “Professionally, I want you fully focused on work without distractions,” Jane replied. She highly valued Reba’s capabilities. “Personally, I think of you as a younger sister.”


    “Aren’t you afraid that you misjudged me?” Reba asked earnestly. “What if it’s just my bad temper and not her deliberately targeting me?”


    “I’ve been in the workforce for nearly a decade. Some things are obvious at a nce.” Jane’s typically neutral expression softened slightly. “Not to mention, all your emotions are written on your face.”


    Reba instinctively touched her cheek.


    Jane looked at her with sisterly concern. “In the workce, you need to learn to asionally hide your true self.”


    “Hide my true self?” Reba heard those words for the first time.


    Jane responded with a calm “Mm–hmm.”


    Reba’s clear eyes flickered with emotion. Since childhood, her mother’s most frequent advice had been to stay true to herself. Her mother would take care of the rest.


    After marriage, Jeffrey had told her not to wear any mask, iming he loved her honesty and frankness most. Yet now, someone was saying that she should conceal herself a little.


    “Avoid oversharing personal matters at work,” Jane exined essential workce principles, sincerely hoping Reba would focus wholeheartedly on her duties. “This applies even to conflicts with Andrea.”


    Reba looked up as Jane rified what she meant. “Because nobody truly cares about the facts. They’re just hungry for gossip–dramatic spices to vor their dull lives.”


    The words hit Reba like a ssh of cold water. She’d never considered those social intricacies before, remaining oblivious to office politics.


    She realized that if she’d publicly called Andrea “the other woman” during the coffee and cake incident that morning, no colleagues would’ve taken her side. Workce rtionships prioritized interests over camaraderie.


    8:46 <b>Sat</b>, Sep 20 <b>d</b>.


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    “Jane,” Reba said to Jane with newfound respect and gratitude, “thank you for guiding me through this.”


    Jane maintained her usualposed expression, though a subtle softness briefly softened her features. “Repay me by staying focused. Don’t let distractions affect your work.”


    Reba nodded, her state of mind undergoing subtle shifts at that moment.


    Back at her desk, Reba began her lunch break, trying to push Andrea’s presence out of her mind. She knew it was foolish to let an irrelevant person affect her mood. All she needed to do was focus on work and get paid.


    That afternoon, Andrea also bought afternoon snacks, casually mentioning she’d negotiated that daily perk- pastries, snacks, and coffee would be avable every afternoon afterward. Her approachable demeanor won over almost everyone.


    Just like the morning, she ced the treats before Reba. This time, Reba didn’t react angrily, simply uttering “Thanks” before burying herself in work.


    Andrea felt Reba had changedpletely. She wanted to provoke Reba further, but the intense work atmosphere around them made excessive conversation seem suspicious, forcing her to withdraw.


    Twenty minutes after Andrea left, Jane asked, “Want some?”


    Reba shook her head. “No. I’m dieting.”


    “You’re already so slender. Are you trying to kill yourself?” eximed the colleague beside Jane.


    “I look fine, but myst physical showed minor health issues from irregr eating.” Reba made up a story. “The doctor said I should stick to normal meals and forget about snacks.”


    The girl sighed, “The Inte’s right. The young generation is so fragile.”


    Reba smiled and continued working, her whole demeanor appearing lighter now that she’d adjusted her mindset, as if relieved of a heavy burden.


    But the oue wasn’t what Andrea desired.


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