Alyssa was late for the party.

She didn’t mean to be late, but the traffic was murder. Every time she was stuck on the road, she felt that it was mainly because there were too many people in the city, and that the family planning policy was necessary.

When the boss was going to attend a party, no one dared to be late. But this time, Alyssa was. Sure enough, it added to the gossip circulating among the employees about her. They said that she had done it on purpose only because she was rude and full of herself. It was understandable why her coworkers harbored so much hostility towards her. She had made the company lose a huge sum of money. Then she flew to America and got the right contract on her own by God knew what means. Once she was back, she humiliated their boss in front of everyone at the meeting room. Just when everyone thought Alyssa would be fired, the boss asked her to stay. Not just that, she was promoted and got a raise. The company was full of green-eyed monsters after that.

At work, Alyssa dressed professionally, while at this moment, she was wearing a blue baggy split-joint striped blouse, matching black capris pants and white skate shoes. Her unbound hair was tied up in a ponytail.

Since it was only a gathering with her coworkers, she couldn’t be bothered to put on any makeup.

"Alyssa, you're late. You should chug this glass of beer,"

one of the employees said as soon as Alyssa showed up. Other employees also urged her. They were parties animals and good at setting the mood.

Despite being uncertain if they were doing it intentionally, Alyssa said with a smile, “No problem.”

Then she picked up the glass of beer and chugged it. The others cheered at the scene. After putting down the glass, she sat next to Callum.

There were some fruit platters and a plate of sunflower seeds on the table. Alyssa looked at the fruit and picked up a smaller orange slice.

“You’re not wearing making up,”

Callum remarked while she was eating the orange slice. He noticed that there were some pimples on her face. Nowadays, few women went out without putting on some makeup. Alyssa was one of the minority.

She looked troubled. With a frown, she grumbled, “Look at my face. It’s covered with pimples. I am allergic to cosmetics. I should wear makeup as little as possible.”

She actually liked being her true self.

“Alyssa, would you like to sing?”

a hot guy from the sales department asked her as he walked towards her with the microphone in his hand. He was smiling at her, his teeth neat and white.

Alyssa wiped her hands with a tissue and said, “Yeah. I’ll choose some songs myself.”

Alyssa loved singing, and she was good at it. Usually, once she got the microphone, she wouldn’t put it down. She could sing for hours even if she was alone.

“Callum, what kind of song do you like?

We can sing a duet,” Alyssa asked when she was standing in front of the karaoke machine.

“I’ll pass. I’m tone-deaf,” Callum replied.

Singing was one of Callum’s weak spots. He sucked at it.

Just then, Aaron rose and walked to the karaoke machine. After some operation on the screen, he said to Alyssa, “I’ve chosen the song. This one. Let’s sing together.”

Alyssa gasped, round-eyed with shock.

The big boss can sing?

And he is going to sing with me? Whoa, aren’t I lucky?

Aaron’s voice was deep and magnetic. Alyssa swayed to the music as she held the MIC and looked at the screen, completely immersed in the song.

From time to time, she would tilt her head and look at Aaron. When she saw his moving lips, bobbing Adam’s apple, and his handsome face, she suddenly realized how beautiful this moment was, and her heart fluttered.

When the song finished, the crowd applauded them.

“Bravo! Boss!”

“This is the first time I’ve ever heard boss sing.

Beautiful!”

“Boss, you can be a superstar!

One more!”

Listening to the fawning remarks, Alyssa couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

She put down her microphone and walked towards her seat. On her way, a woman stretched out her leg with a sneer. The room was so dim Alyssa didn’t see the leg and fell to the floor.

Callum reached out his hand to catch her, but it was too late. She fell hard on the marble floor, knees first. It hurt so much tears welled up in her eyes.

“Alyssa, are you okay?”

her coworkers all asked in concern.

Callum helped her to her feet. Sitting back in her seat, she winced as she rubbed her knees.

Alyssa looked around, scrutinizing the people present. When she saw into their eyes, she knew who did it.