Chapter 21 First Day of Work
After completing the onboarding paperwork, Simon led Olivia to the CEO's office. He pointed to a desk positioned outside the door. "That will be your workstation."
Without hesitation, he assigned her the day's tasks. "I need you to organize all these data files and email them to me by the end of the day."
Olivia glanced at the mountain of folders piled on the desk and nodded calmly. "Understood."
"Then get to work."
Seeing no objection from her, Simon gave her a suspicious look before walking away.
Olivia pulled out the chair and sat down, staring at the towering stack of folders. This was nothing short of a nightmare.
She lifted her gaze slightly, peering over her computer screen at Alexander, who was working diligently at his desk.
What a power move! First making her wait for hours, and now assigning her tedious administrative work!
As if sensing her thoughts, Alexander suddenly looked up, meeting her gaze.
Olivia quickly lowered her head, hiding behind her computer screen.
She sighed and began working. "If I'm under his command, I'll have to play by his rules. One step at a time," she thought.
At 10:30 PM, Olivia's email showed "Successfully Sent." The day's work had left her exhausted. She closed her eyes and collapsed back in her chair.
Finally done! Those endless rows of numbers had nearly made her cross-eyed.
Before she could catch her breath, her phone suddenly rang.
Isabella?
Seeing the name, Olivia declined the call.
Isabella had never called with good news. Better to pretend she hadn't seen it.
But Olivia clearly underestimated her step-sister's persistence; the calls didn't stop until Olivia picked up.
"What is it now?" Olivia finally answered, her patience depleted.
"Olivia, you need to come home right away. Something's happened to Dad!" Isabella's sobbing voice came through the speaker.
Tearfully, she explained, "After you left yesterday, Dad started feeling unwell. We thought it was just normal, that he'd be fine after taking medicine and resting. But this morning it got worse, and now the doctor is monitoring his condition closely."
"He's been asking for you. He's very ill." She paused. "Olivia, I know you're still upset with him, but could you come see him? For his sake?"
Suddenly gravely ill?
Olivia recalled her father's forceful demeanor when he had shouted at her the previous night. He had looked far healthier than she did.
If he was truly that ill, why keep him at home rather than take him to the hospital? After all, even the best family doctor couldn't match a hospital's equipment and resources.
Still, if someone wanted to put on a show, she might as well watch.
"Olivia, are you listening?"
Olivia snapped back to attention and replied, "I'll be there shortly."
"Okay, please hurry," Isabella sobbed, reluctantly ending the call.
Another trap tonight, it seemed.
Olivia shook her head, her feelings complicated as she gathered her things to leave.
"Is he still working?"
She was surprised to see the light still on in Alexander's office.
Looking around, she realized theirs were the only offices still illuminated on the entire floor; everywhere else was dark.
"He's dedicated." Olivia adjusted her bag strap and turned to leave, but then heard a door open behind her.
She turned around and was face-to-face with Alexander, who had just emerged from his office. For a moment, neither spoke.
He was the first to break eye contact.
"Just finishing?" he asked.
"Yes."
"It's late. I'll drive you home," Alexander said, his tone calm, his expression unchanged.
Olivia hesitated, surprised by his offer. She smiled politely and declined gracefully. "Thank you, Mr. Blake, but there's no need. My friend is coming to pick me up."
"Very well. Be careful on your way home."
Alexander didn't insist. His wheelchair glided past her toward the elevator.
They exited the elevator one after the other, and Alexander watched from the elevator entrance as Olivia got into a taxi.
As the car drove away, the passing headlights illuminated his eyes, revealing the intense emotions churning within them.
"How dare you come back!" James exclaimed the moment Olivia walked through the door. Seconds earlier, he had been speaking quietly with Isabella, but now he stood up angrily, his sharp gaze fixed on Olivia.
Enough was enough.
As Olivia entered the house, she glanced down at the doorway, somewhat puzzled. Was this entrance cursed? Why did crossing this threshold seem to invite a barrage of insults and accusations, regardless of who was waiting?
She rolled her eyes. "Weren't you the ones who called me?"
She tossed her bag onto the sofa and sat down, saying impatiently, "You summon me home, then question why I've returned. Have you all gone mad?"
She was already irritated from working late on meaningless paperwork, and now they were finding new ways to provoke her.
Milan Harper also seemed perplexed by Olivia. "James is our guest and your future husband. How dare you speak to him like that?"
Victoria, sensing the tension, quickly interjected, "Olivia is still upset with her father, so she's a bit on edge. She means no harm." Then to Milan, she added, "Don't be so harsh with her; she's just a child."
Milan snorted. "Her behavior has made her father very uncomfortable, and she still hasn't apologized. Quite the temper she has."
"Oh, no!"
Just as everyone's attention was focused on Olivia, Isabella's sudden cry diverted their focus.
Her face had gone pale, her lips trembling.
"What's wrong, Isabella?" James, seeing she was about to collapse, quickly supported her, his face filled with concern.
"Mr. Johnson just messaged me. He's terminating our partnership," she said, her voice shaking.
James looked confused. "How is that possible? We were getting along well, and he seemed pleased with our proposal."
"It's because... because..." Isabella looked at Olivia, her eyes full of accusation.
She gave a bitter smile, attempting to hide her disappointment but failing. "It's okay. Perhaps we weren't meant to work together. I'll try harder next time. I just feel bad for my team, who spent two months on this project. I've let them down, and I've failed Father's trust."
"What have you done now?" Milan turned angrily toward Olivia. "Isn't it enough that you've made your father ill? Now you're ruining the partnership your sister spent months carefully preparing? How far will you go before you're satisfied with tearing this family apart?"
"Uncle Milan, please don't speak to Olivia that way. I'm sure she didn't mean it," Isabella defended her, but tears were already streaming down her face.
James pulled her into his arms, gently patting her back and whispering words of comfort.
The more pitiful Isabella appeared, the more vicious the attacks on Olivia became.
But Olivia remained silent.
These people were clearly targeting her, and any explanation would only be dismissed as an excuse. Better to save her energy.
"I'm fine," Isabella said, her tears falling like pearls from a broken necklace.
Midway through her crying, she seemed to remember something and hurriedly broke free from James's embrace. She looked anxiously at Olivia and explained, "Olivia, don't misunderstand. James was only comforting me because I was upset."
"It's fine," Olivia nodded, indicating she understood. "Help yourself. Since you're so fond of this waste I don't want, I'll generously give him to you."
Then she turned to Victoria and said, "See? I told you they were perfect for each other, but you wouldn't believe me."