Bella arrived at the office precisely on time and marched towards Amy’s desk to report her, but Olivia appeared, blocking her way.
"Well, well," Olivia scoffed. "Look who decided to grace us with her presence today." Her arms crossed, she formed a formidable barrier. "You left early that day without a word to the boss. He is livid, you know. Wouldn’t be surprised if you found yourself packing your things by lunchtime."
She was confident that Ivy had poisoned Zack’s ear about Bella’s early departure and made him fire her.
Bella, however, wasn’t buying it. A sharp glint entered her eyes. She had called Zack after leaving the office and explained to him everything about the problems she had been facing. Besides, he had granted her leave. Why would he be angry with her?
"We’ll see about that," Bella replied coolly, brushing past the veiled threat. "Move, Olivia. I need to speak to Amy."
However, Olivia didn’t move from her place. "Waltzing in whenever you please, leaving whenever you want," she scoffed. "You think you are royalty here? You are a normal staff member here like others—nothing special. Stop being haughty."
Her words irked Bella. "I am not haughty," she retorted defiantly. "You’re the one itching for a fight, as always. It’s boring now. Don’t you ever get tired of this?"
"You!" Just as Olivia, fueled by her own antagonism, took a menacing step forward, a sharp voice sliced through the tension. "What is going on here?"
Olivia turned around, her expression bleak.
Amy, her gaze cutting through the hostility, stood there, arms crossing across her chest.
Olivia’s bravado crumbled under Amy’s stern gaze. Yet, she forced a smile. "Everything is fine, Amy," she stammered. "We were just chatting, you know? Making sure Bella is alright. Remember she left early that day?"
Amy’s unconvinced look lingered for a moment before she turned to Bella. "Mr. Hudson wants to see you in his office," she said with a solemn tone. "Now."
Bella gave a quick nod and scurried away in the direction of Zack’s office.
With Bella gone, Amy narrowed her eyes at Olivia. "You," she said curtly. "Get back to your desk."
Olivia slunk back to her workspace, a sly smile playing on her lips. She whipped out her phone and dialed Ivy’s number.
"Hello, Miss Hill," she said in a hushed voice. "Things are getting interesting. The boss called Bella into his office. She is doomed today. I can’t wait to see her get fired."
The idea of Bella being chewed out by Zack brought a surge of pleasure to Ivy. She was not sure if Zack would fire Bella or not, but she couldn’t dash the possibility completely. The news of the gang leader’s demise had been sweet, but watching Bella ousted from Brico entirely would satisfy her.
"Thanks for the update, Olivia," Ivy purred. "Now put the phone down. I’ll go check on what is happening there."
"Of course, Miss Hill," Olivia said eagerly, already picturing Bella’s downfall. "I am hanging up now."
Meanwhile, Bella made her way to Zack’s office, each step heavy with the uncertainty of what awaited her. She took a deep breath before knocking on the door, steeling herself for whatever was to come.
"Come in."
Bella entered, pulling a professional smile. The heavy oak door shut behind her, leaving her alone with him. Her heart thrummed with nervous energy as she met his solemn gaze.
"Good morning, Mr. Hudson," she greeted him.
Zack nodded and put a file on the table. "Miss Willow will be arriving today for a meeting," he began. "We’ll be starting work on the project tomorrow." He pushed the file across the smooth surface towards her. "She specifically requested you to be her helper."
"Really?" Excitement bubbled up in Bella’s chest. A wide smile stretched across her face.
Zack nodded to the file and said, "Miss Willow seems quite impressed with these designs," a hint of surprise lacing his tone.
Bella eagerly picked up the file, flipping it open. Her heart skipped a beat as her eyes met the familiar sketches – the very same design drawings she had left behind in Theodore’s office.
A flicker of hurt crossed Zack’s features, mingling with the initial surprise. "I wasn’t aware you were good at design drawings."
The delicate lines on the page had undoubtedly stunned him. Yet, a pang of disappointment settled in his gut – why hadn’t she confided in him about this passion? Perhaps, if he’d known sooner, he could have transferred her to the design department, where her talent could truly flourish.
Bella, oblivious to the storm brewing within Zack, vibrated with excitement. To have garnered Willow’s attention was a dream come true.
However, Zack’s next question, sharp as a tack, pierced through her elation. "Bella, why didn’t you tell me about this before?"
Bella lifted her head and met his inquisitive gaze. She was momentarily speechless and floundered for a response.
Meanwhile, the door swung open with a swish, followed by Ivy’s sharp voice. "She is always a troublemaker, isn’t she, hiding things from all of us?" Her fiery eyes pinned Bella in place. With predatory steps, she marched towards her. "You left early that day without a word," Ivy continued, her voice dripping with accusation. "Do you think we’ll tolerate such insubordination?"
"Ivy, what are you doing here?" Zack interjected, scowling at her with displeasure. "Don’t come here unannounced. This is my office, and it requires a knock before entering."
Unabashed, Ivy ignored his reprimand and continued her tirade. "A staff member like her will only cause problems," she sneered, gesturing towards Bella. "You can’t be part of the project."
"I am still the boss." Zack’s voice boomed in the confined space. "Who are you to decide where she is assigned?"
Ivy was stunned at his outburst. She had anticipated a reprimand for Bella, perhaps even termination. Instead, Zack was defending her. It infuriated Ivy even more.
"I am the head of the design department," she retorted. "This project falls under me, and I have the authority to choose my team."
Her gaze, cold and unforgiving, raked over Bella. "And I refuse to have an irresponsible employee like you anywhere near such an important project," she concluded.
Bella grew restless and annoyed at the same time. She wouldn’t go down without a fight, and wouldn’t surrender this chance to work with Willow. She opened her mouth to speak.
"Miss Hill..." The sentence remained unfinished as Zack cut her off with a raised hand.
"Don’t accuse her of being irresponsible," he interjected, his voice laced with a steely authority that surprised even Bella. "She called me that day and explained the situation in full. I granted her leave."
The revelation was shocking. Ivy hadn’t known. She could see her defeat yet again. The smug satisfaction that had bloomed in her chest just moments ago wilted, replaced by the bitter taste of defeat.
"How could you grant her leave?" she countered.
Zack didn’t let her finish. "Enough, Ivy," he growled, the sound sending shivers down Bella’s spine. "Bella works directly under me. Granting her leave falls within my purview, and you have no say in the matter. As for the project, Miss Willow specifically requested Bella as her assistant."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
