Angela was right all along.
After undergoing emergency treatment at night, Irene decided that she was not the iron woman she thought herself to be.
For the first time since she entered Primavera, she asked for sick leave. This audacity naturally caused Mr. Collins, the HR Manager to frown in disapproval.
"What exactly are you sick with, Irene Gallagher?" he called her personally as soon as he heard the news.
"I was the one who entrusted you with the position as the CEO's secretary. Do you think that you can come when you have time and go when you don't feel like it? Do you know how many girls would kill to have your job right now???"
Mr. Collins could name a few, and he was not exaggerating at all.
Irene coughed into the phone and answered with a hoarse voice, "I am so sorry, Mr. Collins. I went to a beauty clinic to treat my rough and dark skin. Unfortunately, the medicine that they used ended up burning my skin. My back and leg are now scalded and full of blisters!"
Mr. Collins pulled a disgusted face. He even held his phone a few centimeters away from his face, as if Irene's bad luck or blisters could jump out of the phone and infect him.
"Ewww. Irene, you have only been working here for a month. You have just received your first salary, but it is still far from enough to beautify yourself."
Mr. Collins rolled with his eyes when he recalled Irene's unappetizing appearance. It would take a lot to turn an ugly duckling into a graceful swan.
"I will send you the address of the beauty clinic that I often frequented. It is a lot cheaper than my current one, but it is still a far fetch with your current financial capability. You better start saving if you want to order any of their services..."
Mr. Collins then quickly ended the phone call. A shudder crawled all over his body when he visualized what Irene just told him.
The curse of poor people!
Hopefully, he would never fall into such a predicament!
While Mr. Collins sprayed his entire office with lemon-flavored room freshener, someone came knocking at his door.
It was the three besties from R&D Department; Jemma Jenkins, Janine Mayer, and Janette Nicholson.
With their quivering lips and their puppy eyes, they looked a lot like damsels in distress.
Having had to deal with Irene Gallagher who nearly ruined his morning, Mr. Collins was more than happy to receive the three beautiful women in his office.
"My ladies, what can I help you with?"
"We are here to report Laura Higgins," Janine said. "We found that she is using a forbidden ingredient to create perfume. She plans to submit her creation to The International Best Original Perfume Competition as one of Primavera's employees!"
Jemma Jenkins sighed, "She is going to drag down the good name of our prestigious company for sure. Mr. Collins, we have no one else to turn to. Please relay our concern to a higher management level!"
By higher management level she naturally meant the General Manager first and the CEO next.
Mr. Collins rubbed at his chin as he thought about what to do.
"Are you all sure that Laura Higgins plans to do that?" Mr. Collins was skeptical. He knew how harsh and dirty the competition on the ground level could be. If he as the HR Manager sided with the wrong person, he might just lose his own head.
"We are sure," Janette said.
She was hugging a thin file to her chest, which she now laid before Mr. Collins.
"This is a list of all purchases that Laura made under Primavera's name. All of them are for the -forbidden- ingredient."
Mr. Collins pushed his glasses up his nose and squinted at the purchase orders.
"Charpillon... Cherry... Extract... is this what you are referring to?"
All three women nodded vigorously.
Janine leaned in closer and tucked a stray lock behind her ear in a coquettish manner.
"And um... Mr. Collins, I did a little research on the effects of Charpillon Cherry Extract on the skin and eyes. I believe you will find the papers helpful."
Smiling, Mr. Collins reached to the back side of the file and pulled out the neatly pinned paper stacks.
The harmful effects of Charpillon Cherry Extract were highlighted using yellow markers.
"Perfect," Mr. Collins remarked. "Very good job, girls... Very, very good job."
The three girls exchanged knowing smiles. Then Janine continued, "We know that a leader with spotless integrity such as Mr. Collins will understand. We leave these documents in your hands. We hope that you will do the right thing to uphold the good name of Primavera."
Mr. Collins beamed at the women and cupped his hands together on the desk.
"Leave it to me, girls," he said with a wink.
Janine, Jemma, and Janette excused themselves afterward. As they walked along the floor and headed back to their department, they discussed what they just did in a low voice.
"I still can't believe it," Janette said. "The documents were addressed to Mr. Elliott. Thank God we were the first ones to snatch them!"
"But I am still worried. Who put together such a good case against Laura?" Jemma rubbed her hands together nervously.
"Why must you be worried?" Janine scoffed.
She whipped her long hair backward and said, "No one likes that bitch. She even made an enemy out of someone from the Procurement Department. I say, Laura's enemies are our friends."