Chapter 70

In the afternoon, the sun was warm, and the air had that lazy,tired vibe.

"Isabella, come out. I need to ask you something." Olivia called out.and the two of them headed to the restroom together.

After making sure no one else was inside, Olivia put up a "Maintenance in Progress, Temporarily Closed" sign on the door. Then she turned to Isabella, "So,did anything happen on that business trip with Mr. Johnson?"

Isabella looked surprised and shot back. "What did you find out?"

Olivia smirked, "Mr. Johnson used to love calling you to his office, and he d pop by our office for no reason. But since you guys got back, he hasn't shown up once or called you. It's like he's avoiding you."

"Nothing happened," Isabella said, trying to keep her cool. "Olivia, you're overthinking it."

"Something definitely happened!" Olivia insisted. "You can't fool me with that look on your face."

"Olivia, just drop it." Isabella pleaded.

"Something did happen?" Olivia's eyes widened. "If you don't want to say,then I'll guess. Did you find out some dirt on Mr.Johnson?"

Isabella shook her head.

"Did Mr.Johnson fart in front of you?" Olivia asked.

Isabella shook her head and couldn't help but laugh.

"Did Mr.Johnson owe you money?" Olivia continued.

Isabella thought about it and nodded.

"He won't sign off for you?" Olivia said, getting angry.

Isabella explained, "No. This part of the money is a personal expense,so the company won't reimburse it."

Olivia said. "There's a personal expense the company won't cover,and you still say nothing happened between you two?"

"He got sick, and I paid for his hospital and medical bills. That's all,"Isabella said.

"What kind of illness needed hospitalization?" Olivia scoffed. "Rich people are so delicate."

"He was pretty serious at the time," Isabella explained. "He threw up all over the plane, on himself too, and passed out."

"That's Mr. Johnson?" Olivia's face was a mix of disgust and disbelief."Isabella, do you know why he got sick on the plane?"

Isabella shook her head. "I don't know. But Mr. Johnson said he was allergic to the air on the plane."

"He's really making things up," Olivia said, pulling out her phone. "Look,someone on the plane took a video and posted it online. It says a weirdo drank all the free drinks, got poisoned, threw up everywhere, and passed out."

Isabella took Olivia's phone and looked. It was indeed the scene from that time. They looked at each other, speechless.

After a long silence, Olivia said, "No wonder Mr. Johnson is avoiding you.He's afraid of seeing you and being reminded of those unpleasant memories. But he owes you money. Does he think he can escape by

avoiding you?"

"Not really," Isabella quickly explained. "I didn't go to Mr. Johnson for a signature, so it's not entirely his fault."

Olivia said angrily, "How is it not his fault? You spent money and effort.He should have come to you, reimbursed you, and thanked you. But he avoids you now.Leave it to me. I'll get the money back for you."

"Olivia. no need..." Isabella tried to explain, but Olivia had already bolted.

At lunchtime, Isabella was about to find Olivia when Olivia came rushing over and dragged her out.

"Olivia.where are we going?" Isabella asked, confused.

Typically, lunch at the company cafeteria was a daily ritual. Given the smaller size of the branch office, the food quality there was exceptional,especially since the company had recently hired a new chef who could whip up a variety of dishes, never repeating the same one in a week.

Except for Vaughn, everyone usually gathered in the cafeteria, partly out of curiosity about the chef's new dishes and partly because the food was just too good.

Isabella thought, 'Olivia loves the cafeteria food, so why is she running out today?

Olivia ran so fast that Isabella almost lost her.

Isabella thought Olivia had found a good restaurant and was rushing to get a seat, but she stopped in front of a long-standing fast-food joint on the corner.

When Isabella caught up, she asked, "Olivia, are we eating here today?"

"You'll see," Olivia said, pulling Isabella inside.

"Mr. Johnson? Olivia, what are you doing?" Isabella asked, shocked to see Vaughn in the corner.She turned to leave.

Olivia wouldn't let her go, pulling her back and saying, "Why are you leaving? Ask him for the money first. We work hard for our money; he can't just take it from us."

"No, Olivia. Things aren't what you think. Just leave it alone!" Isabella pleaded.

She didn't want to see Vaughn, and he didn't want to see her either.

"Mr. Johnson, something happened during your business trip with Isabella.

Have you forgotten?" Olivia said.

Vaughn stood up, staring at Isabella, and asked, "You told her?"

Isabella quickly explained, "Mr. Johnson, you misunderstood. Olivia is talking about..."

Olivia interrupted her, "Mr. Johnson, how can you be like this? Isabella spent money and effort for you, and now you're blaming her."

Vaughn stood trembling with anger, his eyes burning holes into Olivia as her lips moved,likely mocking him with biting words.

He couldn't take it anymore and stormed out ofthe fast-food joint.

Vaughn ran back to the office in a rage, throwing the files on his desk to the floor. His secretary came in, saw him fuming, and quickly closed the office door,quietly watching him vent.

After Vaughn had calmed down a bit, the office was a mess. He told his secretary,"Fire Olivia and Isabella. I never want to see them again."

The secretary was shocked and suggested, "Mr. Johnson, maybe you should reconsider?"

Vaughn said coldly, "What? I don't have the right to fire two people? I've already considered it. Go notify HR to process their termination and inform finance to settle their pay."

The secretary quickly agreed and left, but first went to Eric's office.

Back at the fast-food joint, watching Vaughn rush out in a panic, Olivia looked at Isabella in confusion and asked, "Isabella, what really happened on that business trip?"

Isabella said helplessly, "I'm sorry, Olivia. I can't say. It's better for everyone if I don't."

Both of them, lost in their thoughts,returned to the office.