The most important day of Evelyn's life had turned into one of the worst within just a few minutes.
This evening was unlike any other— it wasn't one of her usual, dull days. It was pure chaos!
Under the gaze of the entire sales department and the sales consultant, she had unleashed all the hatred she'd been holding back against Beatrice.
The last thing she remembered was clutching a few torn strands of Beatrice's fiery orange hair in her hand.
Now, in the darkness of the night, Evelyn was walking home, with droplets of wine still trickling down her hair onto her face.
The wine had streamed through her hair, staining her forehead and the area beneath her eyes red, making her look as if she just had suffered a head injury in a terrible accident.
She was certain she looked frightening, since several people passing by on the crowded street had given her fearful glances.
As she left the celebration dinner, the only thought running through Evelyn's mind was that her career had just ended. After a scandal like that, it would've been strange not to get fired.
She didn't think she could find work at another company either, because she knew Beatrice's long, manicured fingers didn't just reach below the belts of company directors— they reached into their professional connections as well.
A few words from Beatrice would be enough to ruin Evelyn's reputation, and Beatrice would never stop at just a few.
She was probably, at this very moment, preparing to spread countless rumors to make sure Evelyn would never work anywhere again.
Evelyn knew all this— that was why she had endured Beatrice's bullying for months, even years. She had a home to maintain.
There wasn't a large family waiting for her there, but she still had to earn enough to support herself and her sister.
But whatever had happened today, she had finally snapped. She couldn't take it anymore and had pulled Beatrice's hair until bald spots began to form on her head.
Was she remorseful? Well, not really.
As Evelyn walked through the dark streets, returning the frightened glances of passersby with a faintly unsettling smile, she felt as though a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
Normally, the realization that she no longer had a job would have sent a wave of stress kicking at her stomach. But the lingering sensation of Beatrice's orange hair between her fingers was enough, for now, to suppress that stress.
When she finally arrived home, it was already late. She didn't ring the bell— instead, she took out her keys from her bag.
Carefully opening the door without making a sound, she slipped inside, then closed it just as quietly and tiptoed toward the bathroom.
As she walked down the hallway, she noticed the light in Adelyn's room was still on. It was three in the morning, and though she felt irritated that her sister was still awake, she quickened her steps— she didn't want Adelyn to see her like this.
She was just about to close the bathroom door when Adelyn caught it from the other side.
Reflexively, Evelyn pulled it shut harder and quickly locked it. Adelyn froze for a moment in surprise, then began knocking on the door a few seconds later.
"What the hell? Eve, are you okay?!" she called out, her voice filled with worry.
Hearing her sister's shouting, Evelyn couldn't stop her eyes from welling up. The emotions she had been suppressing all night began to surface.
"I'm fine, it's nothing," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.
But, contrary to her intention, it betrayed her— coming out shaky and fragile.
Evelyn's trembling voice only made Adelyn more worried. She began knocking on the door faster, her tone growing more anxious.
"Open the door, Eve! Whatever it is, we can deal with it together."
Evelyn hadn't planned to open the door at all, so she had started to walk toward the sink. But the worry in her sister's voice finally broke her resolve, and she gave in.
The moment she opened the door, she hurried straight to the sink— she didn't want Adelyn to see her face like this.
As Adelyn stepped quickly inside, Evelyn turned on the tap and cupped her hands under the running water. Just as she was about to wash her face, Adelyn took her by the cheeks and pulled her closer.
Adelyn's expression shifted rapidly the instant she saw her sister's face. At first, terror overtook her— she thought the red stains were blood. But the faint scent of wine that followed made her freeze in shock and confusion instead.
While Adelyn's fingers brushed through her messy hair, Evelyn reached behind her to turn off the tap, then gently pulled away and turned her back to her sister.
"Can you leave? I'll take a shower and we will talk about this later."
Adelyn wasn't in any state to simply accept that. She grabbed Evelyn by the shoulders and pulled her back toward her.
"Tell me what happened. Then I'll go," she said, her brows furrowed— not out of anger, but from deep concern.
Evelyn met her sister's eyes for a few seconds before glancing away.
"I got fired," she blurted out.
Adelyn's lips parted in shock, her brows knitting again as disbelief replaced the initial surprise.
"What?! But why?"
Evelyn stared at the bathroom tiles, letting out a deep sigh. The feeling of anxiety began to spread through her body again, the ache in her stomach growing stronger.
"Forget it," she said, pulling herself free from her sister's hands. She took off her jacket and tossed it aside before adding, "Go on. I'll tell you after I take a shower."
Adelyn studied her sister for a moment. Not wanting to push her any further, she finally said,
"Alright."
But just as she stepped out of the bathroom and was about to close the door, her next words made Evelyn freeze in shock.
"Actually, it's a good thing you got fired."