Chapter 388: Blame and Backlash

Back at her desk, Ellis worked steadily, but her mind wandered. If this job isn’t going to last, should I wait for Maxwell to fire me? Or should I beat him to it and just quit? I still have a few offers from before—I could just pick the one that fits me best.

Just then, a file landed on her desk—along with a hand. Snapped out of her thoughts, Ellis looked up. Cleveland stood there, all business, as he handed over a task. At the end, he gave her a puzzled look.

“Ms. Harper, did you offend Mr. Maxwell or something?”

Ellis was speechless. How could she have offended Maxwell? They’d barely interacted—maybe two weeks total. If she had to pick something, maybe spilling milk on him that one morning in Kyrador counted?

Her expression turned serious. “I didn’t…”

“Since you joined, Mr. Maxwell seemed to be…expecting you specifically,” Cleveland said, looking confused. “That’s weird. Feels like you’ve been iced out.” He was trying to figure out Maxwell’s shift in attitude. Could it be that Ellis had underperformed and Maxwell now regretted hiring her?

She couldn’t accept that theory. Her time at the company had been short, and she hadn’t dropped the ball. She’d been focused, responsible—and it wasn’t like Maxwell was stopping her from working. He just wasn’t speaking to her directly.

“There’s nothing to review,” Ellis said calmly. “If there’s an issue, I haven’t picked up on it.”

Seeing how unfazed she was, Cleveland sighed with admiration. “Must be nice. Only someone who’s been married into a rich family can stay this calm about a boss turning cold.”

Ellis had no interest in replying. Being the former Mrs. Hudson was like walking around with a permanent scarlet letter. She couldn’t erase it, and now it was just another excuse for people to make offhanded comments. If he weren’t a coworker, she would’ve shut him down already.

Cleveland left with his coffee but added one more thing before walking out. “If Mr. Maxwell gives you anything else, I’m out of it. You’ll have to go to him directly. Keep an eye on his attitude.”

Ellis took the reminder seriously. If Maxwell really wasn’t satisfied with her, that could ruin her resume—and maybe hurt her next job opportunity too. She couldn’t afford that.

An hour later, when Cleveland messaged her about a task, she headed to Maxwell’s office herself. “Mr. Maxwell,” she greeted him and immediately started watching his expression.

He hadn’t expected her—it showed in the quick flicker across his face. “Where’s Cleveland?”

Maxwell wasn’t sure if he could still consider himself a man of restraint. But ever since catching that accidental glimpse of her last week, that image had been stuck in his mind. It distracted him. Made him uncomfortable. Made him avoid her altogether. He’d asked for Cleveland. She’d come instead. A barely visible frown tugged at his brows. Ellis caught it instantly.

“Shit. Is he really unhappy with my…”

“Mr. Maxwell, Cleveland was busy. If there’s something to do, I can handle it?”

“Call him in.”

Shot down. Ellis turned and left. She found Cleveland, who gave her a knowing look. “Didn’t go well.”

She didn’t answer and just gestured for him to go. “Mr. Maxwell wants you,” she said, then returned to her desk.

Cleveland scratched the back of his head. I know he wants me. But didn’t he just want Ellis to handle it? What’s going on!

Am I not getting reassigned after all? No. That didn’t make sense. If Maxwell had changed his mind, he wouldn’t have passed the work to Ellis to begin with. Something must’ve happened between them. Something that made Mr. Maxwell avoid her.

Cleveland walked into the office, cautious. “Mr. Maxwell…”

This time, it was Cleveland—not Ellis—and finally, the reel of unwanted memories stopped playing in Maxwell’s head. He could breathe normally again. The tension in his shoulders eased. He handed over the file and gave his instructions. Cleveland accepted the task with a smile and a quick “Got it,” but his mind was running wild with guesses.

Meanwhile, back at her desk, Ellis had already paused her work. She started reaching out to some of the HR managers she’d spoken with before. If the boss is unhappy with me, why try so hard? Clearly, working hard doesn’t mean you’ll be rewarded fairly.

As soon as the clock hit quitting time, she left. In the building’s underground garage, she ran into someone she hadn’t seen in a few days—Easton. She didn’t even bother looking at him. She had to fight the urge to slap him across the face. Just seeing him reminded her of the hotel visit that had left her sick to her stomach. She was genuinely disgusted. If she could, she’d scrub herself raw with disinfectant, erase any trace of having ever slept with…

Easton glanced around. “Not working overtime today?” He’d heard things. Seen things. Ellis had been putting in long hours since becoming Maxwell’s assistant.

“Why do you always ask useless crap!” She shot him a cold look and turned toward the elevator.

Easton followed. They entered together. Ellis moved as far from him as she could, pressing herself against the wall, trying to keep him out of her space. He noticed everything—her posture, her revulsion. His lips tightened. She used to cling to him. Now she acted like he was toxic waste. No matter how many times it happened, he couldn’t get used to it. He hadn’t meant to make her hate him more. But seeing her like this, he still found himself moving toward her. Closer. Quiet. Just watching her from the side…

She didn’t even blink. He could follow her to the ends of the earth at this point and she wouldn’t bat an eye. But if she hadn’t just been to that damn hotel, she might’ve tolerated his presence. Unfortunately, her memory was sharp. She threw him a glare.

“Is it physically painful for you if I go a day without yelling at you? Why are you always stuck to me like gum on my shoe?”

“I’m just taking the elevator. It’s not like I want to be near you.”

Blatant lie. And Ellis knew it. Every time she called him out for clinging, he’d twist the narrative and bring up how she used to do the same—to justify himself.

This must be karma. If I’d known, I never would’ve humiliated myself chasing after him, dreaming he’d fall in love with me someday. He never had. Now he haunted her like a ghost she couldn’t exorcise. She shifted again, trying to put more distance between them.

Watching the numbers change on the elevator display, that sickening churn in her stomach came creeping back. She clenched her jaw, trying to stop the wave of nausea. It’s been five years. I don’t even care what Easton thinks of me anymore. But I didn’t drag him. I’ve carried that accusation all this time, and he never once believed me. The real person who did it is still out there—free, untouched. And I’m the one paying the price.