The midday incident had already torn the pretense between the two women.
Though nothing overtly dramatic had occurred, there was no longer any need for the usual pretense in private.
She was clearly here to vent her anger.
And if she spoke harshly, Lu Jiaying wouldn't back down.
"Why are you so concerned about my assistant? Do you think he's young, handsome, and well-built, and you have a crush on him?"
"What?" Xu Lei seemed to hear the most ridiculous joke, bursting into uncontrollable laughter.
"Your assistant is indeed quite the pretty boy. Young, handsome, and with a good physique, I imagine he's quite capable in that regard too. However, I have my dignity and am not interested in that sort of thing."
"Director Lu is different. You maintain yourself so well, and having such a gem by your side, you must be very happy every day, being pampered, right?"
The subtext was obvious, as if she knew something.
Indeed, the wine that night was from her, the setup was hers, and one could easily guess what had happened.
However, without concrete evidence, Lu Jiaying wouldn't admit it.
"Regardless, I'm happier seeing him than seeing you. Who doesn't like someone young and beautiful? Wouldn't you agree, Director Xu."
The implication was clear: you old hag, past your prime, why are you always bothering me?
Xu Lei understood perfectly. Her face instantly fell, and she glared at Lu Jiaying in anger.
"Shameless creature, this is still the company! To be so open about having that kind of relationship with your assistant, and you're proud of it? I never realized, Lu Jiaying, that you have such a thick skin."
Lu Jiaying looked at her calmly.
"I never realized either, Director Xu, that you have such a thick skin. Not only your face but your conscience too, and you're malicious."
"Have I offended you in any way? You've been making things difficult for me repeatedly. Do you think I'm truly afraid to fall out with you?"
"Hahahaha. You've finally revealed your true thoughts. Lu Jiaying, you've been holding it in for a long time, haven't you?"
Xu Lei threw her head back and laughed. "You do have the capital to fall out with me. It's because you served Mr. Hu so well before that he was willing to protect you. But now, you might not have that much power."
"Oh?" Lu Jiaying raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean? Did you seize an opportunity and serve Mr. Hu well, and now he's willing to protect you?"
"You..." Xu Lei shot her a disdainful glance.
"I'm not as shameless as you, willing to do anything to achieve my goals. At your young age, why can't you do something good? You're always thinking about men."
"It's one thing to be thinking about Mr. Hu, but to be exchanging glances with your assistant right under Mr. Hu's nose. You're really bold."
"Even if Mr. Hu is busy with his work and doesn't have time to deal with your trivial matters, do you think other colleagues are blind? Has no one reported you to Mr. Hu?"
"Have you ever considered that if Mr. Hu found out, you would die a terrible death?"
Lu Jiaying nodded. "The one who reported me is you, isn't it?"
"Thank you for your hard work, Director Xu, for contributing so much to the company's gossip mill. I would indeed die a terrible death, but isn't this exactly what you want to see?"
"Hurry up and tell Mr. Hu. Make it as vivid as possible. I'll be waiting for you to collect my corpse."
Seeing her utter fearlessness, daring to speak like this, Xu Lei was startled.
She wondered if this woman was playing psychological warfare, thinking she wouldn't dare to report or if she truly had no such relationship with Old Hu.
Whether it was true or not, if she exposed her affairs and caused negative repercussions for the company, Hu Jiasheng wouldn't spare her either.
For this reason alone, Xu Lei wouldn't be afraid of her.
"Lu Jiaying, we are both women. And you're right, there isn't much of a feud between us. So, I don't want to make things too ugly."
"I just have a strong sense of justice and like to act on behalf of heaven. I don't like seeing people like you causing trouble right under my nose. So, my demands on you are not high."
Lu Jiaying almost felt like laughing.
Sense of justice? Acting on behalf of heaven? Her tongue would surely get twisted!
She suppressed a smile. "Oh? Please enlighten me, Director Xu."
"Before I completely expose everything and ruin your reputation, go and resign from Mr. Hu yourself. Leave Gray Electric forever. As long as you can do this, I can help keep your unsavory affair with your assistant quiet."
Lu Jiaying took two steps forward, almost touching Xu Lei's clothes.
She was taller, and wearing high heels, she was a full half-head taller than Xu Lei.
She leaned down to meet Xu Lei's gaze, her beautiful eyes flickering.
"So, I should thank you? Director Xu, you truly are a righteous and kind person."
"However, I don't need it. Do whatever you want with confidence. Don't be a coward. If you hesitate even a little, you're a son of a bitch."
With that, Lu Jiaying reached out, pinched her chin, and looked at her with fierce eyes.
"From this second onwards, I officially accept your challenge. Let's see who leaves Gray Electric first, Director Xu, we'll wait and see."
"You!"
Her chin being pinched in such a provocative manner infuriated Xu Lei, and she raised her hand to slap her.
Lu Jiaying, quick as lightning, grabbed her hand, pushed it back forcefully, and then slapped her in return.
"Don't try to fight me physically. You're old and past your prime, you're no match for me."
"If you're really tired of living, just drive your car into the river and end it all. Don't be like a maggot, only knowing how to disgust people all day long."
After speaking, she forcefully shoved Xu Lei away.
Xu Lei's face turned green with anger. She wanted to say more, but Jiaying's phone rang.
Glancing at her phone, she disdainfully walked past Xu Lei, answering the call as she headed towards the parking lot exit.
Xu Lei stood rooted to the spot, watching her beautiful retreating back, stamping her feet in anger.
"Lu Jiaying, you just wait. This isn't over between us!"
Jiang Jingyu sat in his car and saw the entire scene that had just unfolded.
He had initially planned to drive home, but now he had other ideas.
He drove behind Xu Lei, simultaneously calling his good friend Wen Ruxu.
As expected, the number had been unblocked from his blacklist.
Upon receiving his call, Wen Ruxu apologized profusely on the phone like a fawning dog.
"Young Master, Young Master, please don't be angry. I had my reasons for doing what I did before, please let me explain."
"Your father personally sent people to find me and asked me to cooperate. I was so scared, how could I dare to disobey?"
"I don't know how you've been lately. I didn't dare to message you, afraid of disturbing you. I'm so happy to receive your call today. Give me a chance to redeem myself. How about I treat you to dinner tonight?"
Jiang Jingyu wasn't actually angry with him.
His father had immense influence in Nancheng. Even Wen Ruxu's father showed deference to his father, let alone him.
However, he needed Wen Ruxu's help with something, so he had to put on a show of being slightly displeased.
"You sold me out over such a small matter. Six years of friendship is all it amounts to."