The True Heiress's Return

Chapter 293

Shakira was surprised. "You just arrived, and you've already four out so much?"

Xanthe puffed out her chest. "I'm the queen of gossip, you know And I heard this in the elevator. They were saying that among the new interns, there's someone who got in by pulling some strings..." 46%

Before Xanthe could finish her sentence, the conference room door opened and a slender figure walked in. Shakira recognized the girl, and a knowing smile appeared on her lips, mm, the subject of your gossip might have just arrived." "Who?" Xanthe quickly craned her neck to follow Shakira's gaze and was stunned. "It's her?"

Fiona entered, just like the other interns, found a seat, and began filling out forms.

Suddenly, the conference room buzzed with whispers, "Wow, isn't she the daughter of the Banks family, Fiona, who made the headlines recently? Why is she interning too?"

"Lopez Group has such strict selection criteria, yet a would-be criminal like her can get in? It's just not fair!"

"Hush, the Banks family works a lot with Lopez Group. She probably got in through connections!"

"The scandal at the beginning of the year was massive, but it was all covered up. Being the heir of a big family, even with a terrible reputation, there's always someone to defend her!"

"My cousin works in Lopez Group's Admin Department and heard the gossip right in the morning about some interns having connections. I thought Mr. Lopez brought in his mysterious girlfriend, but it turns out it's her."

"Stop talking. She has strong backing. Be careful, or she might make things difficult for us by complaining to the manager."

The gossip never took a breather.

Soon, Fiona became the target of everyone's criticism and was isolated. Shakira thought Fiona might show up, especially after she caused such a scene at the villa last time and said those things...

Just then the HR supervisor entered the conference room and started the orientation for the interns. Shakira looked down and stopped overthinking.

In the CEO's office on the top floor, a few uninvited guests strolled into the office lounge. When Walter finally arrived, Calton leaned casually against the automatic door and teased, "Mr. Lopez, who barely steps into the office each month, actually showed up today." As he said this, he turned his head back. "Remember to send the money to my account, losers!"

Benji, after making a facial payment on his phone, was indignant. "Walter, I'm so disappointed in you. On my first day at the company, you made me take the bus to avoid gossip, but today you're playing favorites just because Shakira is coming to work!" Gavin shook his head. "We underestimated Mr. Lopez, always the devoted fiancé."

Kyle silently took out his phone too.

Words failed Walter.

*

He didn't expect Kyle to join such a childish bet.

Walter remained expressionless. "I didn't bring her. She drove herself."

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Calton rubbed his chirr with a mischievous grin as if he had figured it all out. "You were going to give her a ride, but Shakira turned it down, huh? She wanted to avoid gossip, after all....

Walter cast a sharp glance over and said, "You can just keep quiet

Calton's annoying grin grew even widers

Benji couldn't help but burst into laughter.

He thought, 'Wow, how the tables have turned. Today, it's Walter who is being told to avoid gossip? Shakira did a great job!'

Gavin couldn't help but chuckle and patted Walter on the shoulder. "If you're so reluctant, why not keep her close? Brian has been with you for many years. It's about time he shares some responsibilities with a newcomer."

"Let her be." Walter's stern face softened with a hint of fondness. In Lopez Group, she can do whatever she wants."

"Tsk!" The group was fed up with the early morning dose of lovey-davey display and couldn't bear to stay any longer. They said their goodbyes and left.

Once in the elevator, Benji, feeling spontaneous, asked his secretary next to him, "Go find out which department Shakira has gone to. I'll drop by."

*****

Shakira was assigned to the Marketing Department, while Xanthe and Fiona went to the Finance Department. After making plans to have lunch with Xanthe at noon, Shakira followed the marketing team and took the elevator to the 19th floor, where their department was located. The Marketing Department had four teams, and the director, Charles Gordon, called the four leaders for a brief introduction. "The HR Department has assigned four interns to us. Each of you will pick one to mentor."

With that, Charles asked the four interns to introduce themselves.

First up was a cheerful and handsome young man wearing glasses and a designer suit. He confidently stepped forward. "I'll go first. My name is Quincy Reed. I graduated from Howell University and got in through internal recruitment. I'm skilled

at..."

The second was Larry Stewart, who carried himself with an aloof and indifferent demeanor. He was tall and lean, having transferred from the Security Department after passing some exams. He stood straight and introduced himself with poise and confidence. After Larry finished speaking, Shakira noticed that the girl who had been keeping her head down hadn't moved, so she stepped forward.

Just as she was about to speak, one of the chubby team leaders said with a broad smile, "I know, you're the top student personally chosen by Mr. Lopez from Crescentville University!"

After he spoke, Shakira clearly felt Quincy's eyes on her, with a seemingly unfriendly look.

Shakira gave a calm, gentle smile and said, "As a newcomer to Lopez Group, there is much I need to learn from my

The group shared a light laugh, turning their attention to the last girl.

The director cleared his throat and said, "Her situation is a bit unusual."

seniors."

The girl, who had been keeping her head down, took out her phone and typed before it mechanically said, "Hello everyone, my name is Rachel Hall, and I graduated from Crescentville Special College for the Disabled..." Rachel was mute.

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The team leaders immediately understood. Lopez Group hired a certain number of employees with disabilities each year, but they were mostly placed in less important departments. This was the first time someone with disabilities had entered a core department. Having just recognized Shakira, Benton Watt chuckled, "Alright, let me choose first. My current project is still in the optimization phase and hasn't passed the proposal stage yet, so III have Shakira help me."

The other three expressed their dissatisfaction, "Come on, Benton, you're taking the best and leaving us with no choices."

"Exactly, does that mean our projects don't matter?"

Benton turned to Charles. "The Intelligent Self-Driving Project is a major deal, a top priority. What do you think, Mr. Gordon?"

Charles thought for a moment. "Then let's have Shakira join Team Four first."

This was taken as implicit agreement with Benton's suggestion. The other three leaders had no choice but to comply, each choosing their own team members to bring back to their respective teams.

Benton, pleased, guided Shakira to the cubicles for their team. "Shakira, you're new here, so let Maris show you around an get you familiar with the environment and the current projects we're working on. Share your ideas with me anytime." Shakira nodded. "Okay."

Once Benton left, Maris Thorne from the next cubicle looked over at Shakira in a business-like manner. "I'm Maris Thor You're here because you're competent. Lopez Group isn't like other companies. We move fast here. Keep up and learn quickly. Mistakes aren't tolerated."

With that, Maris handed a document to Shakira, assigning tasks directly. "The team from Norpa Technology working on Lopez Group is in the conference room by the entrance. Go coordinate with them on personnel and progress, and then me the details." Shakira took the document and headed out. The glass door had a list of users on it. Shakira knocked on the glass and wa about to enter when she overheard someone inside flatteringly saying, "Berry, you're so amazing. Do you know many bigshots?" 18:10 Mon, Nov 25

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