Once Bitten, Twice Shy

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Claire’s tone prompted Samantha to turn around and look over.

Claire continued to talk on the phone and nodded while answering, “Yes, I understand. Okay, sure. Bye.”

After hanging up the phone, Claire turned to Samantha and said apologetically, “I’m sorry, Samantha. There’s another new colleague who’s having her first day today. She’ll arrive anytime now so we might have to wait for her. Once I’m done with all her procedures, I’ll bring the both of you around Lychee TV together.”

‘I see. ‘

Samantha was not pressed for time so she nodded considerately. “Sure. I can wait.”

“Thank you,” Claire smiled. “Please, have a seat then.”

Samantha sat on the sofa as Claire handed a bottle of mineral water over to her. “Have some water.”

“Sure.”

Samantha unscrewed the lid and took a sip.

However, she felt that it was a little strange because Lychee TV selected new anchors through the competition that year and had no other plans to recruit new anchors.

The sole available spot was hers because she won the competition, so logically speaking, there should be no further recruitments.

Could it be some kind of special hiring process?

A knock was heard on the office door about two minutes later.

Claire said, “That must be our new colleague.”

She got up from the sofa, walked toward the door, and opened it.

Samantha looked over unconsciously and was just as curious about that new colleague.

As the door panel opened slightly, Samantha gradually got a clear view of the new colleague standing outside the door. The faint smile she had on her face began to fade slowly.

The woman’s makeup was slightly plain, but her facial features were refreshingly pure and beautiful. There was also that seemingly ever-present harmless smile on her face.

It was none other than Harmony.

Samantha had been guessing who the new colleague could be and Harmony’s name never crossed her mind.

Harmony had been very quiet in recent days and had practically disappeared, but it turned out that she had been up to something.

“Hello, Harmony,” Claire was the first to greet her.

Harmony smiled. “Hello, Ms. York. Sorry for the long wait. There was a traffic jam on the road earlier.”

“Don’t worry about it. We hadn’t been waiting long. Come in.” Claire turned around and stepped aside for Harmony to enter.

Harmony walked right in and glanced over the sofa. She seemed to have finally spotted Samantha and said with a smile, “You’re here too, Sammy.”

Had Samantha not seen Harmony’s true character, it would have been very difficult to actually tell what kind of woman the latter was.

Her smile and her gentle tone almost made Samantha forget about the falling out the two of them had.

Furthermore, she must have deliberately chosen that day to officially start work along with Samantha, despite having that surprised look on her face.

Samantha curled her lips in a half-smile as a response of sorts.

Claire was well aware of what happened with those two women and could vaguely sense the invisible animosity between the two of them. She therefore cleared her throat slightly to dispel the awkwardness in the atmosphere.

“Right this way, Harmony. I’ll need your information to help you with the registration.”

Harmony looked back at Claire and said, “Okay.”

The two of them walked to the desk. Meanwhile, Samantha took out her cell phone and scrolled on Waybo.

Harmony was already set to become an employee of Lychee TV. Samantha was not going to waste her feelings on an enemy and get depressed and angry because doing so would be just what Harmony wanted.

A chilly light streaked past Harmony’s eyes when she glanced at Samantha and saw the latter scrolling indifferently on her cell phone.

Samantha was still able to remain calm.

In that case, Harmony was going to see just how long Samantha would keep up that indifference.

After Claire finished registering Harmony as an employee, she also handed a badge over to Harmony and shook hands with her, “Welcome to Lychee TV. You’ll be one of us from now on.”

Harmony looked at the badge with a glimmer in her eyes. “Ms. York, Sammy, can we take a picture to commemorate such a meaningful moment?”

Although Claire did not mind, she was worried that Samantha would not be too pleased about it and might find it difficult to refuse. As a result, she opened her mouth and was about to decline, “I don’t—”

Before she could say anything, Samantha looked up suddenly and said, “Sure.”

Claire’s eyes widened in surprise.

Samantha had earlier seemed to be ignoring Harmony and all of a sudden agreed to take a photo together. What was going on?

Harmony appeared to be rather surprised too.

She offered that simply because she wanted to show her magnanimity and prove that she did not care about the competition anymore. In the event Samantha refused, it would be a clear indication that Samantha was a petty woman who held grudges.

An incident like that would spread easily.

Once that happened, everyone at the station would have their own preconceived notions about the two of them.

To Harmony’s surprise, Samantha actually agreed to her request.

It did not matter though, because Harmony was skilled at taking photos with other people. She had never been drowned out by anyone else in a group photo.

If Samantha willingly put herself in a situation to be humiliated, Harmony would be more than happy to grant Samantha’s wish.

Harmony smiled. “Alright, Sammy. Let’s take the photo here. The lighting is much better at this spot.”

Samantha got up and walked over.

Claire was more than happy to do that as the go-between. “I’ll use my phone then.”

She stood in the middle while Harmony and Samantha flanked her on either side. Claire held up her cell phone and aimed it at the three of them before capturing the moment.

“Okay, I’ll send you the photos right now.”

Claire sent the photos through WeTalk to Samantha and Harmony, respectively.

Harmony’s expression soured immediately when she glanced briefly at the photo.

Why did Samantha look much younger and more petite than Harmony was? Did she take a step back in secret earlier?

Samantha looked askance at Harmony. She seemed to have seen through Harmony’s thoughts and did not bother to hide her derisive smile.

She had taken many photos with Rochelle before, and if both their alluring qualities were displayed to the fullest in those photos with neither being outshone by the other, there really was no reason for Samantha to fear Harmony.

The purpose for taking group photos had always been to embarrass the uglier person.

Harmony’s face soured even more and her hands clenched her phone even tighter.

Upon seeing the situation, Claire sighed deeply at the invisible clash between the two. She immediately said, “Alright, I’ll now bring the two of you for a tour of the station.”

Claire walked out of the office together with Samantha and Harmony. They then took the elevator to the first floor and introduced themselves floor by floor.

Samantha and Harmony’s introduction to Lychee TV finally concluded after almost an hour’s worth of going around. Claire excused herself after completing her duties, leaving only Samantha and Harmony behind.

Harmony raised her eyes to look at Samantha. She gracefully tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ears and revealed her fair, dainty earlobes. “Are you surprised to see me being accepted into Lychee TV? What’s mine will always be mine.”

Samantha turned around and left, as if she had not heard Harmony’s words at all.

She did not want to waste a single drop of saliva on Harmony.

Harmony looked at her back figure and continued in a very regretful tone, “I gave you a chance, Samantha. I wanted to be good friends with you, but it’s unfortunate that you have no intention of cherishing this opportunity. In that case….”