Chapter 56ISABELLA"I don't want to ruin her life," I said quietly looking down at my fingers. "She was wrong, and what she said was horrible and disgusting to even repeat it, but I don't want her fired. She has been a valued member here for long and I fear that the rest will silently bear grudges against me, and I do not want that. Could we go with the third option? The training and probation?"James studied my face carefully, trying to find out if I was certain of my discussion to do it this way. "Are you sure? You have every right to pursue the most serious consequences available.""I'm sure," I replied. "Everyone deserves a chance to learn from their mistakes, even for people like her. Besides, if she causes any more problems, you've already established that termination is on the table.""Very well," James agreed, making notes on his tablet as he nodded his head before continuing to speak."I'll arrange for her to attend sensitivity training next week, and she'll be required to
Chapter 55ISABELLAAfter the confrontation that I had with Amber, I found myself walking toward James's office holding on tightly to my portfolio that contained the alternative sketches for the Met Gala. My heart was still racing from the altercation, but I knew I had to focus on the work that needed to be done. The Met Gala was happening live and direct next week, and regardless of personal conflicts within the company, those celebrities needed outfits that wouldn't embarrass them or our company.I knocked on James's door, and waited for him to give me permission to enter. When he did, I walked in, as he looked up from his computer with a welcoming smile that faltered slightly when he saw my expression. He narrowed his eyes at me, as if he was speculating about something but thankfully, what came out of his mouth was work related."Isabella, how did the design review go? You look a bit... flustered."I took a deep breath and decided to be upfront about what happened, There was no
Chapter 54ISABELLAThe words that she was implying made my stomach drop and twist with nausea as I fought to keep myself from vomiting. I thought about the events today, the fact that I had arrived together with Damon, instead of coming separately and about the private office James had arranged for me.Had other employees noticed this as well? Were they also drawing conclusions about how I'd gotten this position?"I don't know what you mean," I said, sounding less certain than I hoped."Don't you?" Amber's smile was cruel and knowing as she seemed confident in what she was saying as she continued speaking. "I saw you getting out of Mr. Rodriguez's car this morning. Don't you think that was an interesting way to arrive at your new job? Most of us, honest and pure workers, take the bus or drive ourselves, but I guess when you're sleeping with the boss, you get special perks."The accusation hit me like a physical blow as I felt myself subconsciously stagger a bit, and I felt my face b
Chapter 53ISABELLAThe natural sun rays that were pouring in through my office window were perfect, bright enough for reviewing the designs that I was given, just as James had promised me earlier.I spent the morning, getting settled in my space, and got out my sketching materials and spent some time getting familiar with the current projects that were assigned to our department.Now, several hours into my first real day of work, I was discovering just how much the fashion designs here needed some new fresh eyes to go over them because these pieces were ridiculous.I spread the portfolio of designs across my desk, each one representing weeks of carefully planned out wears by the previous one in charge of this event. These were the outfits that were planned to be worn for next week's Met Gala, and it was specifically prepared for the cast of "Longing Hearts," the bestselling movie that had everyone talking about the movie. The event would be covered by every major fashion magazine, a
Chapter 52DAMONI rolled my eyes in disgust at her words and I turned to face her fully, letting her see exactly what she was dealing with in my eyes."You want to know about our marriage contract, Amy?" I said, looking at her. "Let me tell you a story about two young men who became best friends over a century ago."The room fell silent again as I began to pace around, slow and deliberate, walking behind everyone seated down, making sure they felt uncomfortable and cornered."My grandfather and Marcus grandfather were indeed close friends who grew up together. They served together in the pack wars, and fought side by side, saved each other's lives more times than either could count. And yes, they made a pact that their families would be united through marriage."I stopped pacing and looked directly at Marcus Blackwood, whose face was growing pale with fright and anxiety as he realized where I was heading with this story."The only problem," I continued, "was that when both men had s
Chapter 51DAMON"You mean the children that aren't even hers?" I shot back, my patience finally snapping completely as I was ready to get to the other side of the table and rip his head from his shoulders "And the wife you've been consistently abusing for six years?"The elders exchanged glances with each other before Elder Richard spoke again. "These are serious accusations from both sides. However, the photographic evidence suggests this woman was quite happy in her marriage with Max here."Another image appeared on the screen, Isabella this time around was with Tommy and Sean in the school. I remembered this scene. This happened days ago and whoever took this picture had carefully edited Lucas and I from it. In the picture, she was helping them with their assignments, both boys on her laps and she looked at them with maternal affection. Again, she looked content, peaceful even.That was when it hit me. Someone had been watching us all along, probably since that wolf attack and h