Chapter 90 Shameless Connections

Chapter 90 Shameless Connections

"Leaving so early today?"

Bobby said as he watched Olivia exit the building. 'She used to work late every night, always making it about the project. Now she's out the door right on time. Guess she couldn't fake it forever, right?' He wondered.

The office slowly emptied as colleagues departed one by one. Once Bobby confirmed he was alone, he waited an additional ten minutes to be absolutely certain. Then, he placed a video call to Isabella and promptly settled into Olivia's chair.

When Isabella's face appeared on screen, Bobby immediately plastered on a sycophantic smile and greeted her with exaggerated deference.

After the pleasantries, he flipped his phone camera to show Olivia's computer screen. He deftly entered the password he had secretly observed and clicked the confirmation button. The design files appeared instantly.

"Miss Harper, these are Olivia's latest design developments," he announced proudly.

Isabella squinted at her screen, trying to make out the details of the numerous files. "Move your phone closer," she commanded.

Bobby complied immediately. Though his face showed distaste when Isabella issued her imperious orders, he quickly restored his smile. After all, he needed her help for his promotion.

"Miss Harper," he ventured carefully, "I've been completing all the tasks you've assigned me. When do you think you might mention my promotion to Mr. Kent?"

"You'll be well rewarded when this is over," Isabella replied dismissively.

Despite her tone, Bobby was delighted with the promise. Before he could respond, Isabella's expression suddenly changed. "Wait, this doesn't relate to the competition at all. Is this really the right file?"

No wonder there was so much content—he must have opened the wrong files! Olivia wouldn't make such a basic error. He must have made a mistake somewhere.

"That's impossible, Miss Harper!" Bobby protested anxiously. "I saw her save the files under this name just this morning!"

He frantically searched through other folders, sweat beading on his forehead.

"Just a moment, let me look elsewhere..." He leaned forward until his face was nearly touching the screen.

But no matter how thoroughly he searched, he found nothing.

"Stop looking," Isabella said coldly, her patience exhausted.

Bobby tried to plead for another chance, but Isabella cut him off. "That bitch probably discovered your little game. This is a trap she set for you."

Bobby panicked. "That's impossible! I was so careful. She couldn't possibly have noticed! Miss Harper, please give me one more chance..."

Isabella didn't respond to his pleas. She simply ended the call.

"Miss Harper? Miss Harper!" Bobby immediately tried calling back, but was met with a busy tone.

She had blocked him!

"Why are you calling me?" a calm voice suddenly asked from behind him.

"Oh my god!" Bobby screamed.

The unexpected voice terrified him. He fell out of the chair, knocking over a cup on the desk and splashing water all over his face.

When he realized it was Olivia standing before him, Bobby felt a mixture of fear and anger. He forced an awkward smile. "Olivia, why are you back?"

"I forgot something," Olivia replied with a smile. Looking down at him, she asked, "What are you doing at my computer?"

"I... I..." Bobby's eyes darted around, looking anywhere but at her.

Steadying himself on the chair as he got up, he quickly pressed the computer's power button. With a nervous laugh, he said, "I'm sorry, Olivia. My computer broke down, and I needed an urgent file. I thought since we get along well, I could use yours without asking. I'm really sorry."

He turned to leave but froze when he saw Simon standing in the doorway.

He looked back at Olivia in disbelief, his lips trembling. "Olivia, what's going on here?"

When had they arrived? And why was Simon here? Unless...

"Bobby, I think we both know why I'm here," Olivia said, pulling up a chair and restarting the computer. She brought up all the files he had been viewing.

She turned to look directly at him. "You're not on my team and have nothing to do with this project. Why are you stealing these files?"

Bobby tried to defend himself, but Olivia continued, "You were planning to give these materials to our competitors, right?"

"No! I didn't!" Panicking at the accusation of corporate espionage, Bobby protested, "I thought these were your competition entries! I just wanted to take a look. I wasn't stealing your files!"

As soon as he said it, he shut up and realized how lame his excuse sounded.

Olivia frowned, confused by his response. It seemed his target wasn't the project but her personally. "Why would you do that?" she asked.

His reasoning had obvious holes, but it was too late to retract his statement.

"Why? Are you kidding me?" Bobby could no longer contain the anger he'd been harboring. His voice rose sharply. "You have the nerve to ask why!"

"You shameless nepotism case! Taking advantage of me and then playing innocent! I've worked diligently in the design department for years. No matter how hard I work, I can't compete with people like you who have connections!"



"This year, I finally secured a million-dollar project. I poured my heart and soul into it! When I approached the department head about a promotion, after much persuasion, he finally agreed to consider making me a team leader."

"But just when victory was within reach, you showed up! You, with your connections, not only took the team leader position that should have been mine but also took over my million-dollar project. And me, the one who made it all happen? I was completely shut out!"

Bobby glared at Olivia with undisguised hatred. "Why should one word from you erase years of my hard work? Why should I be your stepping stone? I don't just want to ruin you—I want to destroy you!"

Despite Bobby's outburst, Olivia remained remarkably calm. "Positions are determined by the company. If you're dissatisfied, take it up with management, not me."

She wanted to ask how, if he had been so "diligent," he had only secured one million-dollar project in ten years. Their design department regularly handled projects worth tens of millions. And yes, she had connections, but that didn't mean she lacked ability.

Seeing Bobby on the verge of losing control, Olivia held her tongue.

Even so, her words had hit a nerve. Bobby's face contorted, a sneer forming on his lips. "Talk to management? You think I can be like you, whispering sweet nothings into the boss's ear to get whatever I want?"

"You slept your way to the top and now think you're actually talented just because people flatter you. Just wait—the higher you climb now, the harder you'll fall later!"