Chapter 3 : “Can you be less inhuman “.

"Are you sure she has been in that office since last night?"

"I'm not kidding. She really has been there since last night when she came in. I really do not understand why she has been working so hard these days."

"Well, you really can't blame her, can you? Let's not forget that she got her heart broken not long ago, and it's understandable that she would act this way just to heal."

"It's been two weeks already, and it seems things are not going to get better."

Juniper happened to overhear the conversation between two employees when she entered the washroom.

With a cold expression, she walked towards the employees, who hurriedly shut their mouths and left as quickly as they could.

Everyone knew about Juniper Reed's temper, but it had become even more unbearable after her engagement was canceled with her longtime fiancé.

The once diligent workaholic and smiling general manager of Reedal had become colder, unapproachable, and difficult to work with.

Juniper stared at her reflection in the mirror and realized that she had returned to her usual cold self before she met Cole.

With a calm demeanor, she washed her hands and left the washroom as if she hadn't just heard others gossiping about her behind her back.

Back in her office, Mago stood before her boss, praying she wouldn't receive another scolding for the day.

But, as luck would have it, she was in for an even worse scolding than any she had endured throughout the day.

Juniper coldly tossed the document she was holding onto the floor in anger.

"You call this rubbish your report on what I asked you to do? Do you have any idea what I asked for?"

"I'm very sorry, ma'am. I... I..."

Mago attempted to explain herself, but Juniper's ego seemed unmoved by her frightened expression.

"Mago, what did I tell you on the first day you started working for me?"

Mago knew exactly what Juniper was referring to and averted her eyes. She knew she had it coming.

"You... You told me you do not like timid people."

"And what are you doing right now? Do you think I have time to teach someone like you how to build your confidence when you are standing before your boss?" Juniper scolded, not giving her any leeway.

"I'm sorry, ma'am," Mago said sincerely.

"All of this seems like a child's play to you. I don't care about what or how you will correct this mistake you have caused, but I need it done by the end of today, or forget about going home"

Mago looked at her with shock on her face. Juniper looked away, back to her own tasks.

She wasn't concerned about what Mago was thinking, as she had already given her instructions on what needed to be done.

"Ma'am, can I please finish this tomorrow?" Mago requested.

Juniper, without raising her head, asked, "And why is that?"

Mago swallowed nervously and decided to continue. She spoke breathlessly, "It's... It's my self and my fiance's anniversary, and I was hoping I could spend the rest of the day with him."

Juniper finally raised her head and looked at her with a chilling gaze.

The air conditioning in the room was already cold, but with Juniper's icy stare, Mago felt like she was standing on Mount Everest and would soon freeze in this coldness.

"And how is that any of my business? I don't care whether you have a funeral anniversary or a marriage anniversary.”

 “You better fix this before the end of the day or consider yourself fired."

Hearing the heartless words from her boss, Mago knew it was a lost case and decided to leave without subjecting herself to any further pain. 

She thanked Juniper and hurriedly left the office. As soon as she stepped out, tears that she had been fighting very hard to contain began falling like raindrops.

"Mago? What happened?" Emily asked as she approached her. Mago quickly wiped her face and forced a smile that looked more like a grimace.

Emily sighed and asked, "This is about Juniper, right? Now tell me, what did she do this time?"

Mago's tears started falling again as she recounted everything that had happened.

"You don't have to worry, just go about your work, and I will talk to her, okay?" Emily reassured her.

"Please, Miss Emily, help bring back the old Miss Juniper. The new Miss Juniper is scary and too cold to work with," Mago pleaded before leaving.

Emily watched her leave and then turned her gaze towards Juniper's office. With a heavy sigh, she walked in without knocking and took a seat.

"Aren't you going to welcome your best friend into your office?" Emily remarked.

"What do you want, Emily? I am very busy right now, and I don't have time for unnecessary things," Juniper responded, her words devoid of warmth.

"Can you be less inhuman? It's been two weeks already, and you're still not over Cole? You have to forget about him and move on," Emily admonished.

Juniper paused in her tasks and looked at Emily. "You think I'm still fixated on that money-seeking gambler? I've moved on, and I don't care about him anymore. The only thing I care about right now is investing in this company to generate more profit."

Emily rolled her eyes, finding Juniper's denial amusing. "You expect me to believe that? You claim to have moved on, yet you're so consumed with work and treating your employees poorly. Really, Juniper?"

"What are you really here for? If you're here to criticize how I've moved on with my life, then please leave. I have a lot of things to do," Juniper retorted coldly.

Emily realized that Juniper was deflecting and decided to get straight to the point. "Your mother asked me to come get you."

Juniper looked at her with a mixture of curiosity and concern, wondering why her mother would send a message through her best friend instead of contacting her directly, this was unlike her. 

She wondered what had happened.