Disgust churned in Bella’s stomach. This was the same Olivia who had moments ago been so eager to brand her a thief. Now, cornered and exposed, she craved forgiveness. The thought left a bitter taste in Bella’s mouth. Even if she forgave her, there was no guarantee Olivia wouldn’t resume her harassment later.
This wasn’t a genuine apology, it was a desperate attempt at saving her own skin.
’No way,’ Bella thought, her resolve hardening. She knew that forgiving Olivia would only give her the chance to strike again later. She stood her ground, her expression firm and unyielding as she faced Olivia.
"Have you considered letting this matter go earlier?" Bella scoffed. "You were practically marching me to the police station just moments ago. You did everything in your power to paint me a thief. Now you’re caught in your own tangled web of lies, and suddenly you expect me to forget everything and offer forgiveness? Why on earth should I?"
"Because you have a kind heart," Olivia requested. Please, show some mercy. I promise I’ll stay out of your way from now on. No more trouble, I swear."
Bella hesitated. A flicker of empathy tugged at Bella’s heart, momentarily silencing the scoff that had been building in her throat. The sight of Olivia, so utterly broken, sparked a tiny ember of compassion.
She wondered whether she should forgive her. But her inner voice cut through the nascent empathy. Even if Bella were to offer forgiveness, there was no guarantee of a genuine change in Olivia. Gratitude wouldn’t bloom from this forced apology. The next day, she would start troubling her again.
The memory of Olivia’s eagerness to condemn her was still fresh. Taking a step back, Bella carefully distanced herself from the emotional tangle. "This isn’t my call," she said finally. "Mr. Hudson will decide what consequences your actions deserve."
Olivia’s eyes widened in panic, her last hope slipping away. She looked at Zack, her face pale and desperate.
Zack, however, remained unmoved by her pleas. His expression was resolute, reflecting the seriousness of the situation. "Your actions have consequences, Olivia," Zack reiterated. "You’ve not only betrayed a colleague but also the trust of this company. There is no place for such behavior here."
Zack ordered security to escort Olivia out of the building and hand her over to the cops.
"Zack, please," Ivy cut in, her voice surprisingly gentle. "She is already remorseful. Can you please let her go this time?"
The security guards halted their steps, waiting for the boss’s command.
Olivia’s eyes sparkled with a newfound hope. She couldn’t believe Ivy was advocating for her. After hearing her warning, she thought she had lost her favor. Seeing Ivy on her side, her chest swelled with gratitude. At this moment of despair, Ivy was her only savior, a flickering light in the darkness.
Zack scowled at Ivy, displeased. "Forgive her? After everything she has done?"
Ivy gently held his hand, her tone placating. "Yes, Zack. Let’s forget about this. It’s disheartening to see a personal rivalry escalate to such lengths within the company. Imagine if word got out about this... it wouldn’t reflect well on us, would it? Our company’s reputation may suffer."
Zack met her gaze, a sneer twisting his lips. "When you decided to contact the police and turn Bella over to them, you didn’t think about the company’s reputation. Why now?"
"I..." Ivy was at a loss for words, but she quickly came up with an excuse. "I thought it was a simple case of theft." she stammered. "I thought it was a matter of stealing. I didn’t know the thing was this ugly. Please let this matter go."
"Okay, I am not calling the cops," Zack conceded under her persistence. "But she is out. She can’t stay here anymore." 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶
"No, please," Ivy interjected once more, her voice laced with a hint of defiance that surprised even Zack.
His eyes narrowed, his patience wearing thin. "Why are you defending her so strongly?"
Ivy grew a bit desperate. She couldn’t afford to lose Olivia yet. Not until she found a suitable replacement. "Don’t fire her," she pleaded. "Everyone makes mistakes. She is genuinely sorry. Let her stay, and we’ll keep a close watch on her. She won’t dare to pull such a stunt again. If you are unhappy with her, release her from your office. Let me deal with her."
Zack’s eyes bore into Ivy’s, searching for a hidden motive. Finally, he exhaled sharply. "This is her last chance. One more mistake, and she’s out. No excuses." With that, he turned and went back to his cabin.
Relief washed over Olivia, her gratitude palpable. Ivy’s intervention had saved her, but the cost of her actions would still linger.
The moment Zack’s form disappeared from view, Ivy’s facade crumbled. A chilling solemnity settled over her features. Her gaze darted towards Amy, a silent resentment crashing over her. If Amy hadn’t intervened with the security camera footage, Bella would have been out the door. However, she couldn’t engage in an argument with Amy or express her hostility toward her openly.
Amy was senior in age and was an old employee of Brico, quite loyal to Zack. Confrontation could backfire spectacularly.
Steeling herself, Ivy pivoted towards Olivia. "You!" Ivy hissed. "Crying won’t erase your mistake. You wronged Bella and made a false accusation. You won’t get away without punishment."
Olivia blinked at her, puzzled as to what punishment Ivy would give her. A cold dread coiled in her gut.
"Consider yourself fortunate," Ivy continued. "You won’t be fired. But you will be demoted."
Demoted!
The word hung in everyone’s mouth, and the air suddenly turned thick with tension. Olivia’s eyes widened in disbelief, her tears continuing to flow. The severity of her punishment hit her hard. She had been saved from immediate dismissal, but her career had taken a serious blow.
"From now on, you will be working as a peon in the design department," Ivy declared.
Olivia gasped, her hand resting on her chest. She had the sensation that her heart had stopped beating. It was an utter humiliation. Being fired would have been preferable. At least, she could have found a decent job. But being relegated to the position of a lowly peon was an unbearable blow. It felt worse than a slap in the face; it was a complete stripping away of her dignity.
A part of her yearned to defy Ivy, to refuse this public humiliation. But the memory of her parents, their years of service to the Hill household, silenced that rebellious part. If the words leaked that her parents were nothing but servants in Ivy’s house, no one would respect her. She couldn’t bear the mockery, the scorn she’d face if everyone knew.
Defeated, her shoulders slumped in resignation. "I accept my punishment," she mumbled, lowering her head.
"Good, come with me." Ivy turned on her heel and strode away. Olivia, her heart a leaden weight in her chest, followed silently behind.
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