Chapter 43:
Emma’s tone was smug, and hearing this, I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Haha…”
“What are you laughing at?” Emma demanded.
I sneered coldly and said, “I’m laughing at your stupidity. Who do you think you are? Do you really think Mr. Wharton will listen to you?”
“You…!” Emma seethed with anger.
Before I could react, I felt her hand raise, and in an instant, she struck my face.
Bella’s POV:
When Emma’s hand was about to strike me, I grabbed her wrist.
I was furious, and I was ready to push her back hard.
“I’ve tolerated you for long enough. I warn you! If you provoke me again, I’ll hit you!”
“Come on! Don’t think I’m afraid of you!” Emma roared back.
My eyes were filled with contempt for her, and my chest was burning with anger. At that moment, I didn’t care about the Wharton Group, or any consequences. All I could think about was standing up for myself, for all the frustration and insults.
“…Mr. Wharton?”
Just then, someone called out in astonishment.
I looked up, startled, and saw Herbert standing at the door of the office, with the financial manager, Gary Ackerman, behind him.
ℓã†e$† ¢hαρ†єrş ĩή ğąℓŋövєłŝ.¢σм
Herbert’s face was expressionless, but his eyes were slightly narrowed, filled with a kind of gloom as he observed us.
For a moment, I felt a wave of panic. The silence in the room was deafening.
No one spoke. The atmosphere was thick with tension. Gary Ackerman quickly approached and scolded me, “Bella, what’s going on? Miss Briden is our partner. You should show some respect, understand?”
I wasn’t happy.
Respect? Should I just stand by while this woman disrespects me? Should I let her insult me?
Before I could respond, Emma rushed to Herbert’s side. She wrapped her arms around his with a feigned, exaggerated look of distress.
“Herbert, look, your company’s employee is about to hit me. Isn’t the management too messy? Thank goodness it’s me, but if it were anyone else, it would ruin the company’s reputation.”
She was accusing me of starting the conflict while the whole situation was her fault.
I glared at her, especially as she continued to hold Herbert’s arm. The sight made me feel sick, and I quickly turned away, not wanting to see them together.
Gary Ackerman spoke up again, “Mr. Wharton, Bella’s mother is ill. She’s been under a lot of stress lately. Please, forgive her actions, Miss Briden.”
Before Herbert could say anything, Emma immediately responded, “Every family has its issues. If this continues, the company’s management will only become more chaotic.”
“Does she think she’s Herbert’s wife?” I thought to myself, finding my current situation both ironic and ridiculous. But I didn’t say anything. I wasn’t sure what I should say.
Just then, Joey spoke up.
