Chapter 140
“Thanks.” Tiffany beamed at Audrey. Some things were better loft unsaid.
Audrey lifted her coffee cup, clinking it against Tiffany’s.
Just before neon, Edana dashed in, looking fustered, and made a beeline for the manager’s office.
“You’ll definitely get called in five minutes, Tiffany said with certainty.
Audrey kept her eyes on the computer screen, a small smile playing on her lips. “I can’t for everything”
Right after she spoke, the intercom on her desk buzzed. Paul wanted her in his office.
Edana sat in the chair across from the desk, head down as she wiped her eyes. Then she turned away
Audrey acted like she didn’t see it. “You needed me, Mr. Gibson?”
“Take a seat,” Paul said, motioning to the chair beside him.
Audrey pulled over a swivel chair and sat down next to Edana.
Paul pushed a file over to Audrey for her to look at. There were new problems with Baldwin Biotechnology’s project.
Audrey flipped through the pages until the end and then smiled, “Edana’s in charge of this project, right?”
Edana started to say something, but Paul shot her a warning look, and she shut up.
“Yeah, it’s Edana’s project,” Paul said smilingly, lacing his fingers together. “You found the data problems and gave the fix. Even though Edana’s been running it, you’ll share the credit
His eyes turned cold when he looked at Edana, but warmed up when he faced Audrey again.
Baldwin’s assistant and Mia had tried to skim money off both sides. Luckily, Audrey caught them in time, Edana figured the problem was sorted, so she slacked off on checking the project. Now, just before shipping, they’d found a ton of defective products
“Paul talked about sharing the credit, but really, he wants to drag me into taking the blame,” Audrey thought
“Sorry, but when I handed the project to Edana, I told her clearly to check the goods,” Audrey said calmly, setting the file down to show where she stood.
Paul’s face darkened.
Edana couldn’t stay silent. “When the hell did you warn me? You took all the credit for fixing those files, but now suddenly it’s my problem when thing blow up?”
Audrey turned to face her. “Edana, do you really think there’s no proof just because I didn’t put it in writing!”
Edana choked up. That was exactly what she’d thought. In any document handoff, everyone knew to include a detailed appendix; otherwise, verbal promise meant squat. That was why she’d been bold enough to go to Paul and pin the blame on Audrey. But she’d made a rookie mistake.
Audrey stood up. “I’ve got proof.” Without waiting for Paul’s nod, she left the manager’s office and came back with a USB drive, pl phone.
it into her
Edana looked confused but still stubborn. “So you found issues but didn’t document them properly. You just jotted them in your phone notes? Were you seriously waiting for me to fail so you could swoop in?
“Audrey, I get you’re good at your job, but can we not turn this into a war? We’re both on Stride Commerce’s team. When the company wins, we both
win
Chapter 1401
Audrey ignored her, shuffing through the files until she found the right one and clicked it open. It wasn’t a memo but a video
The footage showed Audrey handing over the documents to Edana, warning her multiple times to check the warehouse batch numbers: 5 to add it to the files, but Edana had cut her off, “I don’t need your lectures, I’ve got this.”
if looks could kill, Paul’s glare would’ve incinerated Edana on the spot.
Edana panicked, her voice trembling. “Audrey, how dare you record us without consent? Don’t you know the company has sensitive into that can’t be leaked?”
“The company has security cameras. If I stole confidential Info, you could call the cops on me.” Audrey yanked out the USB drive and stuffed it in her pocket.
“I recorded this because I knew one day you’d try to throw me under the bus when things hit the fan”
Edana’s face tumed dead pale.
Audrey’s smile was all teeth, no warmth. “When you found those messed–up batch numbers in the warehouse, why didn’t you call the police right away! Baldwin’s shipment hasn’t gone out yet. They’re the ones on the hook for this.”
She leaned in close to Edana. “You scared to call the cops
Edana’s fingers shook, her lips going gray.
Audrey moved in even closer. “What’s got you so spooked?”
Edana nearly toppled out of her chair, shooting Paul a panicked look for help.
Paul’s expression was stone–cold. No way he’d miss that Edana was knee–deep in something. He motioned for Audrey to leave, and she stepped out
“Mr. Gibson… Paul…” Edana blubbered, tears pouring down her face. “I messed up. I’ll do better, I swear. Calling the police now won’t fix the damage.
“Audrey’s tight with Mr. Gomez. He helped Mr. Connor bust a spy before. If she asks, Mr. Connor can definitely rush a new shipment!”
Paul’s smile was outright creepy, his voice dropping to a frostbite–cold drawl. He slouched in his chair, tapping the armrest. “Start spilling. What’re you really hiding?”
Edana dissolved into sobs, talking in circles but avoiding the point,
Paul didn’t have patience for this. He grabbed his phone and dialed. “Serena, come get your sister.”
“I’ll tell you now!” Edana lurched to her feet.
Paul flashed her the phone’s screen still on the dial screen, and Edana sank back into her chair, defeated.
Mia had been pocketing company kickbacks so easily because Edana had been covering for her, and Edana had definitely been taking her cut of the
bribes.
Edana was terrified that if they called the cops, the other party would snitch on both Mia and her.
In fact, the last time Mia came to the office, it was dn Edana’s orders. The two had tried to erase the Financial records tied to their kickbacks to avoid getting caught, only for Audrey to ruin their plan.
Now that Mia was jobless and constantly hitting Edana up for “handouts,” Edana was even more scared to involve the police, worried Mia would panic and spill everything.
Paul’s stare turned ice cold, like it could free Edana’s blood.
“I get it, I messed up. I swear I won’t do it again, Paul. Please, for Serena’s sake, ask Audrey to help out!” pleaded.
09:16 Wed, 4 Jun
Chapter 140
Audrey didn’t know what they’d bargained over, but by the end of the day, Paul still hadn’t called her in
The next day. Paul told Tiffany to pack Edana’s personal stuff into a cardboard box and send it to his office.
After that, Edana vanished froth the company. Two new interns joined, and Audrey and Tiffany each took one to train.
On Friday, when coworkers invited her to a get–together, Audrey declined. Yann had been in Ashbourne for a week and was coming back today.
“Can’t make it. I’ve got plans tonight” Right after she spoke, a message popped up on her phone: (At the company entrance. The profile pic was a black silhouette, and the contact was labeled Yanny.
When a colleague tried to convince her to join them, Tiffany stepped in to redirect the conversation, asking everyone what they wanted to eat and what they’d do after dinner
Tiffany winked at Audrey, and Audrey mouthed a thank–you before grabbing her bag and bolting out.
The second Audrey
in the car, she was pulled into a strong hug
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
