Chapter 4

Zara shot back, "What exactly do you want me to explain, Mr. Webb?"

"Why did you fire her?"

Zara laid it out straight. "She was responsible for the contract with Warner, and she put the decimal point in the wrong spot. Luckily, our client didn't make a big deal out of it.

"According to the company's regulations, a new employee who makes a serious mistake that hurts the company's interest can be dismissed—and we keep the right to hold them accountable."

Beatrice went white as a sheet from fear and nervousness. "I... I was too careless. I'm so sorry..."

Yosef gave her a look that was meant to be soothing, then turned to Zara. "The document."

Zara set the document down.

Yosef flipped to the last page, took a quick look, and chucked it back on the desk. "You didn't come to work on this date. If you hadn't been absent from work for no reason, Beatrice, the rookie, wouldn't have had to work on this contract."

Zara was incredulous. "Are you saying this is on me, Mr. Webb?"

"You're the chief secretary in charge of the secretary's office, right? If your subordinates mess up, who else should I hold responsible if not you?" Yosef's tone was evident. He was not even trying to hide how much he was siding with Beatrice.

Zara said patiently, "Let's not forget I was out of the office on leave when she started. And if she was clueless about something, she could've asked for help or just left it be.

"She chose to step up and make her own decisions, so she has to own up to her mistakes. Plus, only those at the top of their school or who have excellent work experience make it into the secretary's office. An art student like her isn't qualified for this role."

"What if I want to keep her on?" Yosef challenged.

Zara's jaw tightened. "The secretary's office is at full capacity, and we don't need an assistant. If you want her to stay, find her another position."

Yosef looked at her, noting Zara's pursed lips. It was the same defiant pout that she always did three years ago.

He gave a half-smile. "If the secretary's office is at full capacity, then you'll be the one to step aside for her."

Zara was startled when she heard this.

As the realization hit, a chill swept over her.

She had expected that letting Beatrice go would upset Yosef, but she had not expected him to react with such fury.

It seemed she had sorely misjudged how much Yosef was interested in Beatrice and overestimated her own value to him.

Beatrice quickly moved to intervene. "Mr. Webb, I..."

Yosef immediately raised his hand, signaling her not to speak. He took out a document and threw it to Zara. "You're off to the Feria branch to follow up on the project there. Don't even think about coming back to the headquarters until the project is done."

...

Zara stepped out of the president's office and made her way back to the secretary's office to start packing.

"Hey Zara, where are you off to?" two secretaries asked with a mix of curiosity and concern.

"I've been assigned to the Feria project by Mr. Webb," Zara said, her voice hollow.

This was a bombshell!

The two secretaries were very surprised. A president's secretary was reassigned? That was unheard of! What was more, Zara was the chief secretary. Everyone knew the perks at headquarters dwarfed those at any branch. Could Zara ever make her way back after this?

Beatrice shuffled in, her arms laden with office supplies, which she deposited on Zara's desk. She was timid and cowardly. "Ms. Lowry, I can... I can pack these for you."

Zara eyed her. “So, Mr. Webb told you you're taking over my desk?"

"He said... He said if I'm here, he can keep an eye on things at my side."

A bitter smile flickered across Zara's face. This desk was directly opposite the president's office. As long as the door to the president's office was open, one could see Yosef working inside.

In the past, Zara would often secretly raise her head and peek at him.

Now, it was clear that Yosef wanted Beatrice to be within his field of vision. Was he trying to prevent another day like today, when Beatrice was 'bullied'?

Zara sighed heavily. She felt the sharp sting of her recent loss engulf her once more.

As Beatrice gently placed the calendar into a box, she murmured, "I'll do my best to learn quickly and work hard. No more mistakes, Ms. Lowry. You don't have to worry."

Zara had nothing to worry about.

She knew the old saying—out with the old, in with the new. What was more, she was never really the ‘old flame’.

She was just another plaything that Yosef had gotten bored with.