Chapter 26

Rachel's POV

It seems I have begun to hallucinate, because there's no way Xander just said that to me. Allison Carter obtained permission from him? When? How?

Since when does one bypass the CEO's personal assistant and obtain permission directly from the CEO?

That's against company protocol. And wait, if Allison Carter really got permission to leave from Xander, was she just watching me make a fool of myself this whole time?

Did she plan all of this, even provoking me so that I would call Xander, all to make me humiliate myself?

I glare at her, but she just stares defiantly at me. She's not gloating or anything. Was it not an act, then? Or is this just another ploy to embarrass me once again?

Damn it, I hate not knowing, I think.

"I beg your pardon?" I say to Xander. "I'm afraid I didn't quite hear you."

If he notices my sinking state of mind, he doesn't show it. He just goes on talking calmly, as if all of this is normal.

"I gave Miss Carter permission to leave that day," he says. "I understood that it was a rather urgent matter, which is why she could not do things according to proper protocol."

"But… but…" I stuttered. "Where even did she see you or… she couldn't have just called you, that's not possible!"

"You're right, it isn't," he says. "We ran into each other while she was on her way out, actually. Not an ideal situation, seeing as she would have rushed off without permission if that hadn't happened, but it's fortunate, isn't it?"

Fortunate. Ha.

Does he have any idea what he has just robbed me of? With Allison Carter being the teacher's pet type of person, I might never get an opportunity like this again.

And Xander has just snatched it from me.

"Is that all you needed?" he says.

I gulp, doing my best to keep my voice from shaking with the weight of my disappointment.

"Yes, that's all," I reply. "Thank you, Xander. I'll let you get back to your work."

Minutes after he hangs up, I stand and stare at the phone in my hand. If I had been alone, I would have thrown it as far as I can. But I'll eat my own shoe before I let myself lose my cool in front of an Omega. Especially this Omega. 

Biting back a sigh, I return to my seat with every scrap of calmness I can still find within me.

"Why didn't you tell me that you got permission to leave from the CEO?" I ask.

If it was someone else, I would not believe it so readily. But this is Xander, and Xander doesn't lie.

Allison Carter blinks at my question, looking confused for a moment. Then her expression smooths out.

"I thought you knew," she says.

"How the fuck was I supposed to know?" I snap.

She looks like she wants to shrug, but cannot because she has already gone back to being meek Allison Carter.

"You're his personal assistant," she says simply.

Well, yes. I am his personal assistant, so why didn't Xander tell me about this earlier? Anyway, I guess he forgot. The Omega isn't exactly memorable, and he has more important things on his mind.

"Whatever," I say. "I guess you're taking part in the Tech Wizard competition, after all. Now leave. I'm done with you."

"Yes, Miss Fisher," she replies, then walks out of the office right away.

I fist my hands on the table, trying not to throw something at the wall or punch a hole through it.

Well, I think with a smirk, good thing I had a plan B prepared.

Picking up my phone again, I dial Amy Becker's number.

"Well?" I say as soon as she picks.

"I was able to do it," she replies, sounding breathless.

"Good," I say. "This is phase one."

While Allison Carter was in here losing her shit, I had Amy Becker go through her computer, to find and steal whatever idea she's working on for the Tech Wizard competition. And by making sure she had to rush, I gave her no time to shut down the computer, giving Amy Becker the opportunity to do the needful.

Phase one has gone exactly according to plan. At the end of all this, there will be a winner for the Tech Wizard competition, and it will not be an Omega.

……

Allison's POV

What in the world just happened in Rachel Fisher's office?!

I'm screeching in my head as I hurry back to my office. I didn't mean to lose my temper like that, and now I can't help the feeling of shame that washes over me when I think about it.

But I just couldn't help myself. I've truly gotten sick of Rachel's behavior. She was seriously going to stop me from going to the Tech Wizard competition, just because she doesn't like me. Even I had not expected that level of cruelty from her.

However, what's more shocking about this episode is the fact that she called Xander, and he said… that I obtained permission from him? He and I know that's not true!

I mean, I'm grateful for his help, obviously.

When Rachel called him, I thought I might be a goner. After all, no matter what's going on between us, he is the Alpha and the CEO before he is my fake lover. I had been so sure that the law-abiding Xander Black would take Rachel's side.

Instead, not only did he not do that, he protected me. I'm still confused and reeling from the shock, but I know I must thank him immediately.

So instead of going straight to my office, I sidetrack into the lobby and dial his number.

Since we're at work, I'm not sure he'll pick.

I'm more than a little surprised when he does.

"Allison?" he says. "Rachel isn't giving you any trouble, is she?"

"No," I reply, keeping my voice low. "Thanks to you, Mr— um… Xander."

"I'm sorry about her behavior," he says. "She has never liked Omegas."

"It's fine," I reply. "I just wanted to thank you. If there's anything you want in return for your help—"

I can hear a smile in his voice when he speaks.

"Wow. I can ask for anything?"

Why do I not like the sound of that?

"Anything," I reply firmly. "Anything at all."