The way she gave the order was as though she was the owner of this company.
Right after she spoke, the employees in the pantry poked their heads out stealthily, waiting for the drama between the president’s ex-wife and his flirtatious secretary to unfold.
“Are you deaf or something? Scarlett is asking you to help, not anyone else.” Emery stood up for me.
Instantly, Stella’s brows knitted together at her words. Biting her lip, she seemed troubled as she bowed her head and said, “Mr. Fuller hates lateness the most. Outsiders might be clueless, but Ms. Stovall, I believe you know that well.”
Although I was a woman too, as I stared at her pitiful look, even I couldn’t help but frown and felt sorry for her.
Given the situation, it would look like I was the inconsiderate one if I forced her to work for me that day. Staying calm and collected, I kept the smile on my face as I stood rooted to the spot. I wanted to see if she had other tricks up her sleeves.
Stella’s voice gradually softened and trailed off. A few seconds later, a whimper was heard in the empty corridor. Sure enough, her shoulders moved up and down, and her chest heaved as if she was deeply aggrieved.
“Ms. Stovall, it’s alright if you want to pick on me, but please don’t take the company’s businesses for granted. Let me send these files to Mr. Fuller first, and I’ll help you afterward…”
Taking a closer look, I saw a few glistening tears trickle down her smooth, flawless face. It reminded me of how Juliet cried for Romeo.
Nevertheless, she was not Juliet, and I was not Romeo. Hence, my heart wouldn’t ache for her. In fact, I found her act ridiculous.
“Ms. Collins, I would’ve forgotten if you hadn’t told me about it. Previously, Ashton always worked too hard and overlooked his health. Now that it’s lunchtime, it’s the only time he could take a break. However, as his secretary, you’re bringing documents to his office, disturbing him. Have you ever consider if he’s able to handle it? If he forced himself to work, and something bad happened to him, would you be able to take responsibility for it?”
I asked in an interrogative tone while walking over to her. Just as I finished speaking, Stella lifted her head and wanted to refute me. I met her gaze, staring right into her reddened eyes with an assertive and unflinching gaze.
Did she think that I’m an easy target just because I rarely flew off the handle?
Stella’s expression froze for two seconds. Afterward, she recollected herself and took a step back to get further away from me. She retorted, “Who said that I don’t care about his health? I…”
“You what? What do you have to say?” I became aggressive the second I spotted her clutching the lunchbox in her hands tightly.
Stella knew full well that I had seen the lunchbox many times before. If she had the nerve to admit that she had been sending Ashton a lunchbox every day, it would indicate that she already had her eyes on him much earlier and that she was a pretentious woman.
“Nothing.” Stella looked away indignantly. Her gentle expression was replaced by a scowl.
“What’s happening?” Joseph showed up unexpectedly. Perhaps he had come over earlier and heard our conversation for a while now. As he approached us, he questioned Stella in an icy tone, “Why didn’t I know there are some urgent documents which Mr. Fuller needs to sign right now?”
Stella bit her lower lip, a hint of panic appeared on her face. She couldn’t utter a word in the face of the upright and fair-minded man.
“Ooh, someone just got busted.” Emery gloated at her embarrassment while leaning against the wall with her arms folded. The smugness on her face was comparable to that of John when he ridiculed someone.
Stella’s face flushed beet red, and she went speechless.
Ignoring the woman, Joseph cut to the chase. “Ms. Stovall, what brings you here? How can I assist you?”
Undeniably, Joseph was shrewd and worldly-wise. Stella almost prevailed against me just now. Joseph’s question reminded me that I was one of the company’s board members, and that saved my crumbling dignity.
As a board member, I must carry myself with pride and authority.
With an expressionless face, I sized him up and nodded faintly. “Emery just started a new company, so she needs guidance from us. I thought that Ms. Collins was the most sweet-tempered person in our company and that she would definitely be willing to give us a hand, so I came over. however, it turns out that I’ve disrupted Ms. Collins’ work. I’m sorry, that was rude of me.”
