Mr. Kane Got Blacklisted

Jaylene was convinced Sonia wouldn't pull it off and started throwing shade early. "Quite the professional approach. Stella, how long do you think she'll take to pull it off?"

Stella shot her a glance and responded casually, "At most, two hours.

Didn't she say so? Are you deaf?"

Jaylene scoffed, "If she actually manages to do it within two hours, that'll be something. The company wouldn't be harboring a slacker."

Stella snapped back icily, "Hasn't the company always had a slacker around?"

Jaylene paused for a moment, then realized Stella was talking about her. She frowned immediately and was about to snap back when Darcie cut in," If you want to watch, keep it down. Speak, and you're out."

Some people never change! Why bother arguing with her here?

Jaylene clamped her mouth shut in frustration, waiting for Sonia to fall flat.

Stella furrowed her brow, anxiously observing Sonia at work. She worried Sonia wouldn't pull it off, becoming the butt of jokes. But she also feared Sonia might succeed, prematurely revealing her talents and drawing Darcie's suspicion.

Most of the spectators were just there for the show, not believing a girl who got in through connections could replicate the S-type essential oil.

"It'd be better to just own up to the mistake. Making a fuss and failing would be embarrassing." "I think she's pretending about the oil but genuinely seeking attention. Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

Otherwise, I wouldn't even know she existed in the company." "Young people these days are so flighty; they're not grounded enough."

The on-site discussions stayed relatively subdued, but in the work group, betting was already in full swing.

Only two people bet on Sonia's success, and Stella didn't recognize the username. Meanwhile, dozens bet against her, ranging from a few hundred to a couple thousand, with the group moderator collecting it all.

Some of those betting against her were goading others in the group, "Why not bet on 'success'? Only two are betting that way. If they win, the winnings won't stretch. Trust in the younger generation! Everyone, bet on 1 success'!" "Lead by example and bet on 'success.' If you win, you'll be a step closer to getting a Luna." "I'm curious about those betting on 'success.' What are they thinking?" "I've only got three hundred left from my spouse's pocket money. A gamble: either I get a motorcycle or lose this three hundred. If she succeeds, it's pocket money for the year. If she fails, I only lose three hundred." "This betting lacks imagination. It's like an open-book exam; even a fool knows how to choose." "Do you choose to believe she can pull it off, or do you choose to believe I’m Keegan's wife?" "I choose to believe you're Keegan's wife, so when do I get gifted a Luna?"

Watching the chat box fill up, Stella typed with her eyes downcast. In less than two minutes, the group exploded.

"Another 'success' vote. It's now 3 to 78. @Group Moderator, how much did this person bet?"

Group Moderator: "You won't believe it... one hundred thousand."

Everyone: "OMG" "OMG+1!" "OMG+10086" "Who's the big spender?"