Chapter 22 The Third Floor
DAVID
This is crossing a line. I know how hard Bella has been working putting in late nights and doing everything possible to make sure she wins. Her presentation was impressive, but if I just hand her the win, people will start putting two and two together.
I text her, lifting my chin slightly to catch her attention. The second she glances at her phone, a small smile curves on her lips. That’s my girl, I think, barely hiding my own grin. Bella didn’t even need her original work to knock this out of the park that’s what I call boss moves.
BELLA
As soon as I feel my phone buzz, I glance down. A message from David reads, You’ve got this. You can present this without a hitch. I believe in you.
The words sink in. No one’s ever really believed in me except Dad and Elowen. And now there’s David, practically a stranger, telling me he’s got my back.
Then it hits me. Vivian. This is her doing. I swear, she’s not going to get away with this. I’m still fuming when David strides to the front of the room, his voice commanding everyone’s attention.
“Alright, let’s get this straight. Who tampered with Bella’s laptop?”
A chill settles over the room. David signals to the security team, and seconds later, footage from the surveillance camera flickers onto the big screen. There, clear as day, is Vivian sitting at my computer right before the meeting. But how did she get my password?
Then it clicks: Michael. He must’ve spilled the details. I always use my birthday as my password; it wouldn’t have taken much for her to figure it out. My head’s still spinning with questions when I hear her voice.
“I didn’t do it, brother,” she says, with a defiant edge.
Did she just call him brother? Now things are getting interesting.
David’s expression turns stormy as he steps closer to her. “Don’t you dare call me that,” he snaps, his voice low and icy.
Vivian goes pale, visibly rattled.
Why would he say that? Aren’t they family? The Copperfields are seriously twisted. I can barely keep up when David’s voice snaps me back.
“Why did you mess with her work?”
She stammers, “I didn’t mess with it… Maybe someone tampered with the footage.”
David’s gaze darkens. “So everyone here is lying? Or are you calling me a liar?” His hand sweeps the papers off the table, scattering them across the room.
“Now tell me why you did it.” His voice cuts through the silence, every word a challenge. I don’t look away; she’s getting exactly what she deserves.
After a pause, she mutters, “No reason... I just didn’t want her to win.”
A murmur ripples through the room.
“Nobody messes with my…” He pauses, nearly stumbling over his words. “My assistant.”
Whew, that was close. For a second, I was sure he was going to say “wife.” That’s the last thing we need people finding out.
Turning back to Vivian, he says, “You’re going home, and you’re going to think about your actions. I’ll give you one last chance only because of my grandfather and mother.” With that, he storms out, his jaw tight with anger.
I watch him walk away, a mix of admiration and relief flooding through me. She deserved every bit of that, though I can’t help but wonder… what’s Vivian’s real connection to the Copperfield family?
Vivian walks toward me on her way out, eyes blazing. “You think you’ve won, don’t you?” she spits. “You think you can wrap everyone around your little finger? I’ll make sure you regret this I promise.” And with that, she’s gone.
I wave her off, turning to find Elowen. She smirks, nudging me. “Girl, you owned that presentation and the way your hubby defended you? I think I need to find a man, too.”
A grin spreads across my face as my whole team gathers around, and we’re all in high spirits, talking over each other and planning to hit the bar after work.
It’s been way too long since I went out, but here we are, celebrating. We don’t even know the outcome yet, but it doesn’t matter. We’re certain we’ve won this.
As Elowen drops me off, she calls out, “Can you make it to the door, lightweight?”
“Don’t worry about me,” I joke, wobbling slightly as I head inside. It’s late, and the place is quiet. The only ones around are the security guards, and all I want is to fall straight into bed.
But the second I step inside, I remember David’s warning: Don’t go near the third floor.
Why does he care so much? What’s he hiding up there? Fueled by a mix of curiosity and liquid courage, I make my way up the stairs, heading for the forbidden floor.
But as soon as I reach it, I hear his voice. “How dare you?”