As the stockings product line manager in the marketing department, An Rou was somewhat of a junior manager, but facing the high and mighty Marketing Center Director, she could only helplessly watch Wang Xiong continue to receive his punishment.
"Since you answered wrong," Shang Yan said with a cold smile, "then you should admit your mistake." She elegantly changed her sitting posture, the pearly gray stockings gleaming coldly under the light.
"Director Shang, I…" Wang Xiong was increasingly displeased, but he tried his best not to show it.
"Shut up!" Shang Yan interrupted sharply. "Did I tell you to speak?" She looked coldly at Wang Xiong. "In Lingya Group, if you don't even understand the most basic product knowledge, what right do you have to work here?"
Wang Xiong clenched his fists, suppressing his anger. He wanted nothing more than to grab Shang Yan's arrogant face and force her onto the desk to have his way with her.
But he knew it wasn't the right time; he didn't have the leverage.
"Say, 'I, Wang Xiong, am a stocking pervert. I'm sorry, Director Shang.'" Shang Yan commanded, her tone laced with sarcasm.
Wang Xiong gritted his teeth and repeated, "I, Wang Xiong, am a stocking pervert. I'm sorry, Director Shang."
"Too soft," Shang Yan sneered. "Say it again."
She swayed her beautiful legs slightly, her patent leather high heels gleaming coldly under the light.
"I, Wang Xiong, am a stocking pervert. I'm sorry, Director Shang!" Wang Xiong raised his voice, a venomous glint in his eyes.
"Director Shang..." An Rou tried to say something. "An Rou," Shang Yan turned to look at her, "Do you think I've gone too far?" Her voice suddenly turned dangerous. "Then tell me, what right does someone who doesn't even know the most basic product knowledge have to work at Lingya?"
An Rou lowered her head, not daring to speak again. Her light pink dress today accentuated her gentle and charming temperament, but in front of Shang Yan, this gentleness seemed so powerless.
"Wang Xiong," Shang Yan continued, "tell me, why did you come to work at Lingya? Did you come here just to look at women's stockings?"
"I…"
Wang Xiong thought for a long time but couldn't find the words. He couldn't very well say, "I want to get your CEO Xia, then you, and maybe even more women in the Lingya Group step by step," could he?
"Heh, if it weren't for Sister Ling's orders, I really wouldn't have wanted to hire you." Shang Yan sneered. "I'll give you one more chance. Go to the warehouse now and memorize the features of all our stocking series. I want to hear your report tomorrow, and if you still can't answer..." She gave Wang Xiong a meaningful look, "...it won't be as simple as an apology."
"Yes, Director Shang."
Wang Xiong lowered his head, a glint of malice flashing in his eyes. But when he looked up again, the malice vanished instantly, replaced by the docile, unassuming attitude often seen in high school students.
"Get lost," Shang Yan waved her hand dismissively.
Wang Xiong turned and left the office, his back filled with repression and humiliation. An Rou watched him with pity, but dared not say anything.
The light from the ceiling shone on Shang Yan's beautiful legs, encased in pearly gray stockings. She elegantly crossed her legs, her face radiating the confidence often found in those in positions of power, unaware that she was walking step by step into Wang Xiong's trap…
…
When the school bell rang, I was almost the first to rush out of the classroom.
Even though Wang Xiong hadn't come to school all afternoon, his gang of henchmen, Cobra and Fatty, kept repeating the same words I didn't want to hear. I didn't want to listen to them, and I didn't want to see the mocking looks they gave me.
All the way home, I kept replaying Wang Xiong's words from class that morning. He said he'd give Mom a "gift" and that he'd "train" her step by step. Every time I thought of those words, my stomach churned. What made it even worse was that his clutches weren't just on Mom; now he was even eyeing Aunt Shang!
Shang Yan was one of Mom's most capable subordinates, having followed her from the early days of the business. She often came to play with me when I was little, but now she was also being secretly targeted by Wang Xiong…
When I arrived home, I deliberately slowed my pace. I don't know why, but lately I've always done this when I come home, afraid of what heartbreaking scene I'll find when I open the door. I know Mom will most likely be working on the sofa in the living room, wearing her familiar pantyhose, maintaining her CEO-like authority.
But I know that beneath that glamorous exterior, Mom is enduring unspeakable pain alone.
When I opened the door, there were no high heels in the entryway, and Mom wasn't sitting in the living room.
"Young Master is back?" The nanny approached, her tone gentle yet respectful. "Madam called to say she's busy at the company today and wants you to eat first. Oh, by the way, I put Madam's package on the coffee table."
My heart sank.
A package? Could it be the one Wang Xiong mentioned…?
My gaze fell on the coffee table, where a large package sat, wrapped in a same-city delivery bag, obscuring its contents. I pretended to be nonchalant, quickly finished my dinner, and waited until the nanny finished cleaning up and left. Only after confirming no one else was home did I cautiously return to the living room and the coffee table.
The bag on the coffee table felt like a ticking time bomb, something I dared not touch. Yet, the memory of Wang Xiong's words that morning, the humiliation, anger, and a touch of curiosity within me compelled me to examine its contents.
Taking a deep breath, I carefully unwrapped the outer packaging. Inside was a black velvet jewelry box, of high-quality material, seemingly from a luxury brand. The moment I lifted the lid, I felt a wave of dizziness.
On top was a pair of black lace-trimmed garter stockings, thin and transparent, with an incredibly smooth feel. The lace trim was exquisite and sexy; it was clearly a high-end product. Compared to the pantyhose Xia Ling usually wore, the lace garter stockings were obviously more erotic.