She Called Me Gold Digger, I Took Over Her Dept

After I returned to the country, I started as an intern at a top firm—and my boyfriend was my boss. Seeing him every day should have been something to look forward to.   But there was a woman at the company named Sienna Hart who called herself his "pure friend". Her behavior, however, was anything but. Even siblings weren't that close.   When I greeted her, she gave me a smile that didn't reach her eyes.   "Wow, you sure know how to win people over. Drop the act—I've seen your type a thousand times."   When I got my nails done with my best friend, she made sure to comment, "Dresses and manicures? Dead giveaway. You can always spot the ones who aren't serious."   When I drove to work in the car my father gave me, she'd run straight to my boyfriend.   "A G-Wagon and Hermès? Where does she get that kind of money? Probably from some man."   I was furious. I called my best friend to vent.   She was livid. "She's the scheming one. And she dares talk to you like that? Have you still not told them who you really are?" ***** During the company camping retreat, I overheard Sienna Hart badmouthing me to my boyfriend again.   "I've been in PR for years. I've seen plenty of girls like Emily. Every single one of them was dirty. Don't be the sucker who doesn't see it coming."   When they noticed me, the air turned awkward.   Eyes full of suspicion and smirks pressed against my back like blades.   Everyone huddled tightly around the campfire in a circle—no space left for me. Sienna, on the other hand, acted like nothing had happened. She waved brightly at me. "Come sit over here!" She said sweetly, but her body was pressed so tightly against Jonathan that not even a piece of paper could fit between them. "No, thanks. This spot suits you better anyway." I gave a cold laugh and slung my bag over my shoulder, ready to leave. But Jonathan suddenly grabbed my wrist tightly. I turned around and met his angry gaze.  "We're all out here trying to have a good time. Why do you have to make it about yourself?" My expression dropped. Sienna had just dragged my name through the mud, and he hadn't said a single word. But the moment I responded sarcastically, he was mad at me. "What kind of expression do you expect me to have when people are spreading disgusting rumors about me?" Now that everyone knew I had overheard them, the entire group went awkwardly silent. Someone finally spoke in a mocking tone, "Of course, a pretty girl like her has a temper. I don't think Jonathan can handle this one." Jonathan's jaw tightened as he squeezed my wrist harder.  "Calm down. She's just worried I might get played. You're my girlfriend. Of course I trust you."   My expression softened—until he added, "But my friends don't. Just show them your Rolls-Royce delivery record. For me."   I stared at him. He said he trusted me, but he still wanted proof.   Anger flared. "You don't trust me at all, do you?" He hesitated for a moment. "Show me the receipt, and I'll believe you." I yanked my hand free. "My dad bought the car for me. Why don't you ask him for the receipt yourself?" Sienna, as if completely oblivious to the tension, tilted her head innocently.   "What kind of daddy? A sugar daddy?" Then she immediately stood up with an innocent look. "It was just a joke! I didn't mean anything by it. Jonathan, go apologize to your girlfriend for me, okay?" Jonathan nodded.  "Emily, don't be mad. I'll apologize on Sienna's behalf."   I frowned, speechless. "She spread a nasty rumor about me. Why are you apologizing? Who are you to her?" Sienna pinched his side, then turned to me again. "Emily, I'm sorry. It was my stupid mouth. Don't let this turn into a fight. She slapped her chest.   "But honestly? Your style is exactly what I've seen on those gold-digging schemers. Can you blame me for being suspicious?"   I caught the jab and shot right back, "Your style looks just like theirs too. So I guess that makes you one of them?" Her expression froze. Jonathan then spoke sharply, "Apologize to Sienna." I looked at him, then at her smug expression, and swallowed my anger. "She's the one who should apologize." Jonathan exhaled sharply. "This retreat is over. Everyone pack up." He got up in a huff and told everyone to pack the gear into the cars. Then he walked over to me. "Today was your fault. Stay here and think about it. I'll drop Sienna off first and come back for you." Within minutes, everyone left. He actually left me alone on the mountain!   A guy who hiked and camped all the time knew exactly how dangerous that was.   I wasn't about to wait around like an i***t. I sniffled and called my best friend to come get me.   On the way back, she cursed him out the entire time.   "Is Jonathan insane? He can't tell who the scheming one is? And he left you in the mountains?"   "And how much longer are you going to play the clueless intern? When does the undercover act end?"   I pressed my lips together. I'd planned to keep it up a while longer—but now I knew exactly what the problem was. It wasn't the company. It was the people.