When she initially borrowed $200,000 from Winward, the penalty for breach of contract at six times the amount would be $1.2 million.
She couldn't come up with such a large sum of money, so she had no choice but to compromise.
Seeing that Luana had become "reasonable," Runa's demeanor became increasingly arrogant as she said, "It's simple. Just treat Mr. Coburn well, and once he returns to Washington, I'll approve your resignation."
Luana could barely accept not being allowed to resign, but the idea of serving Calvert was utterly repugnant to her.
She immediately objected, "Mr. Coburn may not want me to serve him."
Runa's lips curled into a meaningful smile as she replied, "I've looked at that photo several times, and the way he looks at you is far from simple, so Mr. Coburn will definitely want you."
Luana wanted to retort, but Runa suddenly turned stern and impatiently said, "Just do as I say."
Clearly, Runa believed that Luana and Calvert had an unusual relationship and wouldn't let her go without fully exploiting her last bit of value.
The capitalist attitude was unabashedly displayed.
Luana understood that further argument was futile, so she stopped talking and responded, "I hope you won't go back on your word again."
Runa folded her arms and gave her a seemingly reassuring look, saying, "I always keep my word."
This statement sounded grand, but its credibility was questionable.
Luana didn't bother to argue further and quickly left.
Back in the office, as soon as Joan saw Luana, she sarcastically mocked, "Some people really have impressive skills. She can easily win over a partner just by welcoming them. This time, it's even more remarkable. She's even won over the CEO of Coburn Group. In just one day, she climbed into his bed, and that photo has gone viral on Instagram. How shameless!"
Her colleague Christine, listening with envy, looked Luana up and down and chimed in, "She has a good figure. Those bosses just love her type."
Joan sneered disdainfully, "How good can she be? She's just been used and discarded. That's why she has such a good figure."
Christine also giggled, "Yeah, being pampered by so many men is different."
Joan stared at Luana as she approached, continuing to sneer, "The rich play around. Who knows how many she's been with... Ah!"
Before she could finish, a large glass of cold water was splashed right in her face.
Drenched and furious, Joan trembled with rage.
She slammed her hand on the table, stood up, and pointed at Luana, shouting, "You bitch, how dare you splash me? Do you believe I... Ah!"
Before she could finish her tirade, Luana splashed another glass of water on her face.
Joan was utterly shocked that Luana would splash her once and then again.
Everyone in the CEO's office, not just Joan, was stunned into silence.
Luana, unfazed by the onlookers, glared at Joan and angrily scolded, "You can gossip behind people's backs, but to spread lies to Miss Ortega is really going too far!"
After her outburst, Luana held up her water glass in front of Joan, warning, "You should be grateful that I splashed water, not sulfuric acid, or your face would be ruined."
Hearing "sulfuric acid," Joan shuddered in fear, and the retort she had ready died in her throat.
Luana shifted her gaze from Joan to Christine, who was cowering in fear.
She coldly said, "You know very well whether those things work or not, having been with so many wealthy old men. How dare you slander me?"
Christine, caught off guard by Luana's public exposure of her secrets, became furious and demanded, "What do you mean by that?"
Luana's eyes were icy as she stared at her and said, "Joan has already told everyone your dirty little secrets. I don't need to explain what I mean, do I?"
Christine quickly turned to Joan, her face full of disbelief, and shouted, "I always considered you a friend! Why did you betray me?"
Joan, too, was surprised that the usually submissive Luana would expose Christine's secrets in front of everyone.
Furious, she rushed forward, intending to slap Luana, but Luana swiftly grabbed her wrist.
Luana stared at Joan and warned in a cold tone, "If you slap me, I'll make you pay."
Joan's face contorted with anger as she yelled, "It's just a slap. You can't make me lose everything I have!"
Luana leaned in, a sneer on her face, and said, "You've been spreading rumors that I have many rich patrons, haven't you? Any one of them could easily destroy you."
With that, Luana pushed Joan away without a care for her expression and walked off.