Chapter 19
At 9:30 AM, Joycelyn rushed from her car in the office building parking lot, heading straight for the elevator. Ellison remained in his Rolls-Royce, watching her go, lost in memories of their earlier intimacy. It hadn't been enough.
Despite hurrying, Joycelyn was still half an hour late. Fortunately, a surprise general meeting in the conference room kept her floor's departments occupied, allowing her to slip in unnoticed through the back door. Selene, however, was already present.
"Why are you late again? Did something happen?" Selene asked.
Joycelyn, flushed and embarrassed, replied, "Eh, sort of. Were you late too?"
"Yeah," Selene grinned slyly. "Luckily, attendance isn't being taken today."
"Lucky us," Joycelyn agreed.
Selene explained, "Mr. Grant's conducting a surprise inspection, but thankfully, it's targeting the directors, not us. Linda got called out because her report wasn't satisfactory."
Joycelyn bit her lip. She remembered Ellison's earlier promise to handle her tardiness. She'd only been half an hour late; any longer, and company policy mandated a full day's absence. The simple task of tying a tie had spiraled unexpectedly.
Selene, oblivious to Joycelyn's renewed embarrassment, showed her a picture. "You left in such a hurry yesterday! This is my senior—a very eligible bachelor. What do you think?"
The picture showed a handsome young man hiking in a mountainous region.
"Oh, he seems nice," Joycelyn replied flatly.
"Want me to set you up with him? He's good-looking, well-educated, traveled abroad, and an only son in a middle-class family," Selene offered.
Joycelyn softly laughed and shook her head. She was married and accustomed to Ellison's stature; even a celebrity wouldn't impress her.
"Are you sure? He's way better than your blind dates. Just one date—think of it as making a new friend," Selene persisted.
"I don't think so I I already like someone," Joycelyn stammered.
Selene narrowed her eyes. "I knew it! Don't give up the whole forest for one tree."
Joycelyn interrupted, "Oh, Linda's finished her report. The meeting's ending," gathering her things to leave.
As they exited, Aurelia stopped them. "Keep a low profile. Our project is under intense scrutiny."
Joycelyn and Selene felt a chill.
"Our project's way behind schedule, while other departments are ahead," Aurelia explained, noticing Linda passing with a grim expression. Aurelia quickly hushed them.
An eerie silence fell over the department. Ten minutes later, Linda stormed out, documents in hand, her eyes landing on Joycelyn.
"Joycelyn! Two years here, and you still make these low-level mistakes?" She threw the documents on Joycelyn's desk.
Joycelyn calmly examined them, frowning. "Didn't you approve this proposal?" She remembered Linda's approval of the business plan, including schedule, funding, and investments.
Linda's voice rose. "Your proposal requires five times the allocated budget! Other departments completed their projects for a fraction of the cost. Are you treating company funds like toy money? I wouldn't be surprised if you had a vested interest with the investors! Because of you, the whole department is accused of incompetence. Are you trying to get us fired?"
Joycelyn calmly responded, "I arranged these joint ventures based on your suggestions and instructions, seeking the lowest-cost, highest-quality investors. You signed off, yet you're blaming me?"
Linda, realizing her accusations lacked merit, commanded, "Come to my office." Joycelyn, confident in her actions, followed.
Aurelia picked up the proposal. "These investors all have personal relationships with Linda. She had a personal agenda and is blaming Joycelyn!"
"Damn right. Joycelyn's not going down like this," Selene agreed.
In Linda's office, Linda ordered, "Close the door."
Joycelyn obeyed, remaining composed.
Linda began sarcastically, "Joycelyn, I recall you leaving Mr. Grant's office sneakily that morning. Was I mistaken?" Her jealousy was evident.
"You were mistaken," Joycelyn replied.
Linda sneered, "Fortunately, I took a picture of that person's back. Anyone who knows them would recognize them instantly."
Joycelyn's heart sank. It was her. "All hotel rooms near the conference center were booked by the company. You can't definitively say it was me."
Linda retorted haughtily, "Care to guess if I've seen the hotel's surveillance tapes?"
A cold look crossed Joycelyn's face.
Linda continued, "Some men are attracted to women like you. Unfortunately, looks aren't enough. I went to the same school as Mr. Grant. You're just a plaything to him. If you don't want to be known as someone who trades sex for favors, renegotiate these contracts. I'll pretend this never happened. And if you're looking for a man, I can introduce you to plenty of rich ones. Mr. Grant is not someone you'll ever be worthy of."