A Love Rekindled

Chapter 19

Cindy used "you all", clearly having overheard my conversation with Anika But if she had listened more carefully, she would have understood that my ultimate purpose was to minimize the issue. It was normal for colleagues to have differing opinions, but I didn’t expect her to bring Bruce into this.

Since she heard us, Bruce had obviously heard everything clearly as well. It made Anika and I look like we were bad-mouthing Cindy behind her back.

Anika probably didn’t expect things to escalate like this either. So, she whispered, "Nance, if someone has to take the blame, I..."

I gave her a look and reassured her, "I'll handle this.”

After saying that, I walked toward the both of them

Our eyes met, and I gently said, "Ms. Lane. I mishandled the situation, and I'm sorry you felt wronged."

Suddenly, Cindy's eyes reddened, and her tears fell off like the pearls off a string.

She naturally had a fair and delicate appearance. So, with tears in her eyes, she gave off a wronged and pitiful look.

Bruce saw this and immediately took out a handkerchief from his pocket. After giving me a look, he said mockingly, "Ms. Fisher, you have no class.” His voice was low but carried a cold vibe that sent shivers down the spine.

He was defending her again.

"Sorry, Nance. It's my fault for not controlling my emotions." Cindy choked out with a trembling voice. "Bruce, let's just forget it..."

"Ms. Lane, I'm the one who was talking bad about you. So why are you taking it out on Nance?" Anika suddenly stepped out from behind me and lashed out at Cindy.

Cindy widened her eyes and looked at Anika in disbelief. She opened her mouth as if to say something but hesitated With this, she looked even more aggrieved.

I was about to smooth things over when Bruce cut in, "It's simple then. Apologize to Cindy and resign.”

Resign? Bruce wanted to fire Anika?

He was always so good at keeping work and personal matters separate. But now. as an investor in the project, he was getting involved in our company matters for Cindy.

That was unexpected.

Knowing that he was not one to change his mind easily, I tried to reason with him. "Mr. Harold, at the end of the day, this is on me. Let's go back to...”

"I said..." Bruce cut me off coldly and said decisively, "Fire her.”

The rest of my words stuck at the back of my throat.

It felt like accidentally swallowing a small fish bone—not deadly but enough to plunge you into brief panic and discomfort. Only then did I realize that I had no standing in front of Bruce at all, especially when compared to Cindy's grievance.

I forced a smile and said, “Mr. Harold, please. Let's calm down. I'll talk to Ms. Whittaker later..." "Then please inform Ms. WhittakerJf

she's stilthere tomorrow.” Bruce. glanced at Anika and continue, "Our partoership will unfortunatelyhave to.come to an end.” -

Afterward, he left with Cindy. I was struck dumb and stood there like a statue, unable to utter a single word So, Bruce meant that he would pull his funding? All because Anika made a couple of comments about Cindy?ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

"Bruce, let it go. I won't take it to heart.”

Cindy's softtone snapped me back. to reality} clenched andthen = = relaxed: my fists, barely hearing.” Bruce : say, "You're too kind, but now s not the time for tolerance."

Yeah, in Bruce's eyes, Cindy was kind and gentle while we were the villains.

When I saw Caroline, it was already 9:30 pm

She was dressed in a long beige coat, a pair of four-inches high heels, and looked beth stunning and stylish.

When she saw me, she smiled warmly. "It's not a big deal. If the sky falls, I'll be there to hold it up with you."

On the way, we discussed our possible options.

"We definitely can't fire her, but since Bruce wants to assert his authority for Cindy, we'll just have to accommodate him."

I rubbed my temples and asked, "Ms. Whittaker, what are you planning to do?”

"Apologize, of course.” Caroline looked determined. "Give Bruce and Cindy enough respect, and we can turn the page on this.”

She still didn't understand Bruce. He has always been decisive and would not be so easily swayed. But we had to try Caroline's approach anyway.

The next morning, Caroline and I went to Roeval with some gifts to show our sincerity and apologize.

The receptionist recognized me and said, "Mr-Harold won't be available. He flewto Spring City last night with Ms. Lane to see the snowy ~ mountains. If you have his namber, yotrcan contact him directly."

Caroline and I exchanged looks in surprise. We hadn't received any leave request from Cindy.