Chapter 71

As soon as Isabella and Olivia walked into the office, Eric called them over,looking pretty serious.

"Alright, spill it. How did you two,manage to tick off Mr. Johnson?" Eric asked,his face all stern.

"No way! Is Mr. Johnson really that touchy? All I did was ask him to cover Isabella's expenses. Does he really need to fire us over that?" Olivía said,clearly frustrated.

Isabella kept quiet; she had a feeling she might've really pushed Vaughn's buttons this time.

Seeing Isabella's silence, Eric knew there was more to the story than Olivia was letting on.

"Olivia, step outside for a bit," Eric said firmly.

"Why should I? What about Isabella? What do you need to say to her alone? Or does she need to tell you something about their trip?" Olivia asked, looking confused as she glanced between Eric and Isabella.

"Olivia, are you serious? This is a workplace, not your living room. You need to control your temper, or you'll end up causing trouble for everyone,"Eric said coldly.

"Eric, what are you getting at?" Olivia asked, clearly annoyed.

"If you don't want to get fired, just listen to me and go outside," Eric said.his face stern, clearly losing patience.

Isabella quickly tugged on Olivia's sleeve,signaling her to follow Eric's instructions.

Olivia huffed and walked out. Not far away, she came back and hid

behind the plants near the door, trying to eavesdrop on what was going on between Isabella and Vaughn.

Eric, noticing her antics, let out an exasperated sigh, "Close the door from .the outside!".

Startled, Olivia came out from behind the plants and obediently closed the door.

With the door closed, Eric turned to Isabella, "Isabella, you know why I asked Olivia to leave. If it was just about the reimbursement,Mr.Johnson wouldn't have fired you in a fit of anger. So, what really happened during your business trip with Mr. Johnson?"

Isabella took a deep breath and said helplessly, "Mr. Allen, Mr. Johnson is so angry because this matter is not suitable for others to know. It's better for everyone not to know. I owe Olivia an apology. She sensed something was wrong and kept pressing me. I wanted to make up an excuse,but she went to Mr. Johnson for me."

Eric said seriously, "If it was just your own issue, I wouldn't ask. But this matter also involves Olivia. Although it was caused by her impulsiveness,you should know she did it for your sake. You don't want her to be fired because of you,do you?"

Isabella said, "Mr. Allen, don't worry. I will definitely keep Olivia's job."

Eric said, "If you don't want to leave either, tell me the reason. Maybe I can help you think of a solution."

Isabella smiled beautifully and resolutely, and said, "Mr. Allen,before today's incident, Mr. Johnson and I were already avoiding each other. So,there's no point in me staying. Leaving is just a matter of time."

Eric thought for a moment, his expression gradually relaxing.He smiled at Isabella. "Then hândle it yourself. Don't worry. I can help you."

Isabella said gratefully, "Thank you, Mr. Allen."

Eric waved his hand, signaling she could leave.

As Isabella was about to leave, she heard Eric say, "This time, Michael owes me a big favor."

As soon as Isabella stepped out, Olivia rushed over and asked anxiously,"Isabella,how did it go?".

Isabella reassured her, "It's fine. I'm going to see Mr. Johnson."

"I'll go with you!" Olivia insisted.

Eric came out and pulled Olivia into his office.

"Eric, if you don't let me go, what if Mr. Johnson bullies Isabella?" Olivia said anxiously once they were inside.

"Olivia, you need to handle what you can. Acting on impulse will only make things worse for everyone," Eric said, looking at Olivia with a sigh.

"Are you saying Isabella's current situation is my fault?" Olivia asked,staring at Eric in disbelief.

"Think about it. Why didn't she go to Mr. Johnson for a signature herself?Why didn't she tell you what happened? Why is Mr. Johnson so angry?"Eric broke it down for Olivia.

"Isn't it because Mr. Johnson is just being petty?" Olivia mumbled.

Eric was so angry that he wondered if she was thinking clearly.

Isabella stood outside Vaughn's office. Taking a deep breath, she gathered her courage and knocked on the door.

Vaughn, hearing the knock, thought someone was there to report work.

Without looking up, he said, "Come in!"

"Mr.Johnson," Isabella greeted.

Vaughn was visibly shocked, his expression chaotic. He asked in a low voice."Why is it you?"

"Mr. Johnson, I've received your decision," Isabella said calmly.

Vaughn, feeling guilty but also justified, said, "Seeing you makes me uncomfortable. I assume you feel the same, so I want you to leave. Let's give each other a break. Don't blame me; I'll make sure the finance department gives you a few extra months' salary."

Isabella said righteously, "Mr. Johnson, I know we make each other uncomfortable. Don't worry. I will leave. But can you not take it out on Olivia? This has nothing to do with her."

Vaughn said angrily, "If you hadn't told her about that, would I also feel uncomfortable seeing her?"

Isabella swore, "Mr. Johnson, I swear on my life, I haven't told anyone about that, not even my husband. So you can rest assured. Olivia doesn't know. She went to you because of the medical expenses."

Isabella paused and continued, "My business trip expenses couldn't be reimbursed by finance. Those hospital bills need your signature, so Olivia went to you for the reimbursement."

Vaughn thought, 'So that's what it was. I had almost forgotten about my hospitalization. So, Isabella came for the hospital reimbursement!

He was speechless; he hadn't considered the hospital fees a big deal.

"You married Michael and stiIl care about this little money? So petty,"Vaughn complained.

He picked up his wallet, only to find it empty. Frustrated,he picked up his phone to transfer the money, but the transaction exceeded its limit.

Seeing Vaughn couldn't handle it with his wallet and phone,Isabella,thinking of Michael and Vaughn as family, said, "Forget it. I don't need it.YouI're busy; I'll leave."

Vaughn felt insulted and said, aggrieved, "Do you think I'm short of this little money?"

He had been fined a huge amount by the head office for an incident, and now he was indeed short of money.

Isabella smiled. "It's not much money. You and Michael are acquaintances,so you don't need to pay me back."

Vaughn felt blatantly disrespected. But he really had no money. He pretended and said,"You said it, not me."

He paused and continued, "Don't think that I'll let you stay just because you don't ask for the hospital fees. I won't compromise;you must leave."