Marlena felt as if she had been punched in the chest. The pain was all consuming, especially when Grayson's icy gaze slid right over her without so much as another breath.
"HQ wants Isla to step in and take this project," Colby said as he trotted toward Marlena.
Marlena shivered and glanced up at the woman beside her.
Cathy, don't get mad." Isla staggered backward like she was totally blindsided. Thank god Grayson had his hand on the small of her back.
This did nothing to help.
Isla, what more do you want? You've taken my guy and now you want to take my labour-and time-intensive project too. Are you really that envious of what I have?
"Ridiculous! When was Baird Master Hardy ever your guy? Colby scoffed. "You're something else! First of all, Baird Master Hardy has never even given you the time of day despite your constant stalking him in the past. Second of all, do you think for a moment that project would've been yours if Baird Master Hardy hadn't greased some palms with the CEO of that company who shall remain nameless?"
"Colby, that will be all." Isla nodded toward the man.
"I mean it. You should do it. It's your job after all since you're our Baird Master Hardy's fiancée.
"Don't you?" Marlena turned her intense brown eyes on Grayson's face. One flash of those at close range could singe your eyebrows right off.
Truth is, he'd set her up with Baird Master Clark himself.
The two men, however, weren't particularly acquainted either. Marlena was just the individual who'd taken the time over that month to meet with Baird Master Clark several times, discussing just what he'd be agreeing to before finalizing any of this.
Grayson scowled slightly. "I'm the reason Baird master Clark didn't flat out refuse to see you."
Everyone knows this, but someone just insists on humiliating herself," Colby said with a sneer.
"I find this to be untrue. I'm heading to Dad."
In search of Calvin Cray, Marlena had taken a car to the main company.
"Dad, why the hell did you hand Isla those all-important hotel project reins?" Jesus. You knew I'd practically killed myself with this one.
Calvin was annoyed at the woman that had interrupted him while he was working. "I'll give you another task then. How's the Spencer Villa Project going?"
"This project I think would be better for Isla on a smaller scale. She's never done anything like this before so it would make sense to start her off at the bottom."
Jeffrey smashed the table with his palm. As your older sister, you ought to be respectful to her. it's.t makes sense why your mother has been complaining that you're acting out.
Marlena was payers back., She s spoke again, her voice full of complaints."She Shas stolen my project as well as my boyfriend." Hhow am I ever going to treat that woman with respect?
Since Summit owns all projects, she didn't take yours. Since I'm the president, I can give anyone whatever task to complete whenever I like. And you never owned Grayson. He went with your older sister.
Words shot out of her, unplanned and unfiltered. "If you hadn't given Isla eighty per cent of the company's shares, Grayson wouldn't have picked her."
"Your sister has gone through years of unbearable pain. Help her out when you can. Also apologize to her for what happened yesterday," the man said.
Through gritted teeth she replied, "I can't do that."
Calvin pounded on the table. "You ungrateful brat, then leave if you can't do that. You wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for Summit!"
His words stung like a slap to the face, and she felt her cheeks flush with a combination of emotions.
All right, I'll go. A first-rate architect with a first-class architect license as myself can find another job easily.
So saying she returned to her own room. She packed all her personal belongings in a cardboard box and left through the entrance, filled with tumultuous anger and complaints.
Many whispered to herself as she passed.
"I heard the president fired her for being mean to the First Lady Baird Lady!"
How self centered must she be, to ignore her own sister. First Baird Lady was taken when she was bairn and only got back to us recently. She had to have gone through pain that would silence.
Not just that! But First Baird Lady is a sweetheart. And laid back. That is also why she bought us dinner, because we stayd late last night.
This woman is being rewarded for her work!"
There hadn't be any indication of rank-baiting in the time she'd been with the organization. She was so careful and methodical in what she did.
Every day, she would be the last person out of the workplace. She was really working hard and had also always respected everyone else. Nobody has ever expected that things would turn out this way.
After she separated from the team, she started to walk around randomly in the neighbourhood.
Grayson had called her a few times during that time but she hadn't answered.
She arrived back at Ambercove Estates after going to the store and picking up some groceries and snacks.
Taffy wags its tail in the air and comes forward to meet her as soon as she enters the home.
"Taffy, you're the only one left that likes me now," she said as she gave the cat a stroke on the forehead.
"Meow," answered the cat. It then closed its eyes and allowed the woman to do anything she wanted to it.
The corners of her mouth lifted slightly. "Should I go get you some dried fish snacks?" she asked.
Even in the afternoon, Wesley wasn't home. A simple meal was had by both woman and cat. Then she threw herself on the couch and pulled out her laptop to job search.
Wesley returned to a brightly lit living room around ten at night.
Marlena was feeding Taffy a tiny piece of chip across from her on the couch.
"Is this the kind of garbage you feed my cat when I'm not home?"
His handsome face peered coldly over the table loaded with snacks. There was cheese on a platter, chocolate biscuits, hot fries and potato chips.
Taffy even had her little whiskers stained with chocolate.
I gave Taffy some food. It was really, really miniscule. She showed me using her thumb and forefinger how microscopic it was. But she kept begging and begging until I finally relented and did what she wanted.
"What sort of cating is that? A fully grown adult like yourself should be able to do more." And he just swept everything off the table into the rubbish bin in exasperation. "And don't eat such trash in the house. The smell annoys me.
Marlena made a face as she gazed at the food in the trashcan. She couldn't fathom how anybody could think the smell of food stunk.
What a weirdo!
She still had to paste a fake smile on her lips though because let's face it. You're right Shaunny. These things are terrible. I will indeed try your suggestion and stop ingesting them.
"Take a look at your pretentiousness in the mirror."
There was no getting to the guy. He'd come in with the cat and gone into his bedroom.
"You had a rough day, Shaunny. Are you hungry? Do you want me to make you something? I got some good spaghetti I can make."
She followed him brazenly, with small bare feet.