Just as Ivy was about to strike, the restroom door swung open, and Amy walked in, her cheerful presence immediately diffusing the tension. Ivy, startled, quickly shoved the knife back into her pocket and turned away, masking her intentions.
"Hey, Bella!" Amy greeted her with a broad grin. "It’s been a while since I last saw you. I miss having you around at work."
Bella turned, her warm smile returning as she embraced Amy. "I miss you too," she replied. "But I’m really enjoying working with Willow."
"I know! You guys did an amazing job," Amy said, her eyes bright with excitement. "Mr. Hudson is thrilled about the overwhelming orders we’re getting."
Bella’s smile widened, her heart swelling with pride. Amy’s praise only deepened the joy she felt—a validation of all her hard work. This success was hers, a clear sign that she was carving out a name for herself in the world of fashion design. If she continued to work hard, she knew she could truly make her mark in the industry.
Behind her, Ivy stood with her back to the conversation, seething with frustration. She had been so close to her goal, but Amy’s untimely arrival had thwarted her plans. She gritted her teeth, trying to suppress the rage bubbling inside her.
Amy continued, oblivious to the danger so close to them. "By the way, do you have any plans to return to the department?" she asked, her tone hopeful.
Bella shook her head gently. "No, Amy, I’m not planning on that."
"Why not?" Amy pressed, her voice persuasive. "Olivia, the troublemaker, is no longer at the office, and Ivy isn’t around to cause you problems anymore. I really need you back at work. Please, just consider it."
Bella hesitated, searching for the right words. "Actually, I’ve found a real passion for design drawing, and I’m planning to focus on that. I might even join Willow’s fashion house soon."
Amy gasped in surprise, Bella’s revelation taking her off guard. "Are you resigning?"
Bella pursed her lips, pausing for a moment before nodding slowly. "I’ve always dreamed of becoming a fashion designer. Now, I have the opportunity to pursue that dream."
Amy’s initial shock gradually softened into a warm, understanding smile. She understood how passionate Bella was about fashion. "I’m glad to hear you’re chasing your dream. Best of luck, Bella! But you’ll still be part of this project, right? You’ll continue working at Brico even after you resign?"
Bella chuckled softly, nodding in agreement. "Yes, as a member of Willow’s team, I’ll still be involved with Brico."
"Great! That means we can still catch up during our free time."
"Of course," Bella agreed with a smile. She then remembered Theodore would arrive soon, "But I should get back now. My team members are probably wondering where I disappeared to in the middle of the party."
With that, she gave Amy a quick hug and exited the restroom, leaving Ivy simmering with frustration
Amy watched Bella exit the restroom, then turned to head into one of the cubicles when her gaze fell on the waitress standing nearby. Her smile faded, replaced by a frown.
She had noticed the waitress earlier while talking with Bella but hadn’t paid much attention to her. Now, she couldn’t help but wonder why this woman was just standing there, seemingly doing nothing.
"Why are you still here?" Amy snapped, suspicious. The sudden rise in her tone grated on Ivy’s already frayed nerves.
"Go and serve the drinks," Amy added, her irritation evident. As she walked past Ivy, she muttered under her breath, "Useless, lazy... only knows how to waste time."
Ivy’s temper flared at the insult. The humiliation stoked the fire of her madness, and in a flash, she grabbed Amy’s arm and yanked her back violently.
The sudden, forceful tug caught Amy completely off guard. "You, bitch!" she began to curse, but the words died on her lips as she turned and met Ivy’s eyes. The raw, unbridled anger she saw there sent a chill through her body, freezing her in place.
"Who are you?" Amy gasped, trembling with fear as she couldn’t recognize the woman beneath the mask. But before she could react, Ivy’s hand flashed, the knife glinting in the light.
The first stab struck Amy with brutal force. She gasped, her eyes widening in shock as pain erupted through her body, searing through her like fire. Her scream was cut short as Ivy clamped a hand over her mouth, muffling any sound. With a cold, merciless fury, Ivy shoved Amy against the wall, stabbing her again and again, each thrust of the blade driven by a deep, twisted rage.
Amy’s body convulsed with each stab, her eyes pleading for mercy that would never come. The life drained from her as Ivy’s relentless assault continued, her rage boiling over in every savage movement. Finally, Amy’s body slumped against the wall, lifeless, as Ivy stepped back, her chest heaving with adrenaline and madness.
As Bella made her way back to the hall, she found herself face-to-face with Zack in the lobby. Her steps faltered for a moment, but she quickly lowered her head and continued walking, hoping to avoid any interaction. The last thing she wanted was a confrontation, especially with the possibility of Theodore showing up.
But Zack was determined not to let her slip away so easily. "Bella, wait a moment. I need to talk to you," he called out, stepping firmly into her path.
Bella stopped, her heart racing as her legs instinctively shuffled back. Nervousness flickered in her eyes as she looked up at him. "I don’t want to talk to you. Please, leave my way."
"Stop avoiding me, can you?" Zack’s voice was almost pleading, the pain in his heart evident.
Bella felt a knot tighten in her stomach, anxiety bubbling up as she feared Theodore might appear at any moment and see her with Zack. The last thing she wanted was for a fight to break out. "Mr. Hudson...I’ve already told you—I’m married," she said, her eyes imploring him to understand and let her go.
But Zack was relentless, his resolve unshaken. Tonight, he was determined to lay his feelings bare, no matter the consequences. "I don’t care," he snapped. "I know why you married Theodore Reid. You shouldn’t stay in a loveless marriage. You should end it as soon as you can."
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