Chapter 61

Wendy slammed her pen down, glaring at Isabella. “Miss, I told you. No appointment, no entry.”

The loud noise drew curious glances from the lobby. Wendy smirked, closing her notebook. “If you’re here to seduce our CEO, try somewhere else. This is a workplace.” Her words were a verdict, not merely an accusation; she'd already judged Isabella as a gold digger.

The onlookers' disdain deepened. They thought, Of course, a pretty woman trying to climb the ladder.

Isabella paused, her hand still holding her phone, before pocketing it. Her eyes narrowed. “Are you accusing me of trying to seduce your CEO?”

She thought, I’m just here to deliver food, and yet…

Wendy crossed her arms, contempt etched on her face. “What else could it be? I see women like you—using their looks to get close to the CEO.” She sneered. “Dream on.” Wendy reveled in her disdain. She picked up the discarded pen and placed it aside, basking in the collective disapproval of Isabella. She wanted to prove that beauty was meaningless, merely a tool for attracting men.

Murmurs rippled through the crowd. “She’s so pretty, and yet…” “Doesn’t she feel ashamed?” “If my daughter acted like that…” The whispers turned to contemptuous stares.

Ignoring them, Isabella placed the lunchbox on the counter and fixed Wendy with a cold stare. “Is this how you treat every visitor?”

She thought, Samuel’s company shouldn’t employ idiots like this!

Wendy scoffed. “I only treat people with ulterior motives like this.”

Women like her are a dime a dozen, Wendy thought smugly. They think charm gets them anywhere. Pathetic. Without hesitation, she pressed the intercom. “Security, we have a troublemaker. Please escort her out.”

Escort out? More like throw-out, Isabella thought.

The security guards arrived swiftly, surrounding Isabella as Wendy’s smirk widened. Isabella’s eyes grew colder. “As an employee, you can’t kick out visitors without understanding the situation.”

She thought, This woman’s biases will harm the Howerton Group.

Wendy faltered momentarily, then scoffed. “You’re full of yourself. Do you think you’re important enough to lecture me?”

Who does she think she is? Wendy thought. Acting like the CEO’s wife!

The security guards moved closer. “Miss, if you continue to cause trouble, we’ll have to take further action.” The crowd backed away.

Causing trouble? Isabella thought, incredulous. Her mood soured. I never imagined delivering lunch would end like this. Clenching her phone, she said coldly, “Hold on. I’m making a call.”

Wendy rolled her eyes, tapping her nails. “What a joke. Even if you get through, it’s part of your scheme. Pathetic.”

The security guards moved closer. “Miss, please leave, or we’ll have to use force.” They reached for her.

Wendy thought, Women like her should be humiliated!

Isabella’s grip tightened on her phone, anger simmering. She glared. “You wouldn’t dare.” The sudden intensity froze everyone; the guards hesitated.

Wendy sneered. Does she think bluffing will work? She pointed at Isabella, shouting, “Throw her out!”

Tension filled the air. Just as the guards moved again, a cold, authoritative male voice cut through the silence. “What’s going on here? Why all this commotion?”

Isabella stopped mid-dial. She saw Perry striding towards the desk. Wendy’s arrogant expression morphed into a sweet smile. She pointed at Isabella. “Perry, it’s her! She’s causing trouble. No appointment, yet she insists on seeing Mr. Howerton.”

You’re done for! Wendy thought gleefully. Mr. Howerton shows no mercy. She gave Isabella a disdainful look. “Women like her always try to seduce the boss.”

Perry’s brow furrowed. But as the guards parted slightly, his expression froze. “Mrs. Howerton?” He was stunned. “Mrs. Howerton? Mr. Howerton would be delighted!” He bowed. “You’ve arrived, Mrs. Howerton.”

Wendy stiffened. Doubt flickered across her face. Why is Perry showing her respect? A sense of foreboding washed over her. The onlookers were equally confused. Something feels off…

Isabella’s gaze swept over Wendy, then to Perry. “Perry, you need to address this. No one is allowed to tarnish Samuel’s reputation.”

She thought, This receptionist's behavior damages the company’s image.

Wendy’s face darkened. Who does she think she is? She glared. “Who do you think you are, meddling in my business?”

But before she could finish, a sharp voice cut through the air…