Chapter 16
“Izzy, you weren’t answering my calls,” came Monica’s voice as she strutted toward her, teetering on impossibly high heels that clacked against the office floor.
In stark contrast to Izzy’s sleek black suit, Monica wore a tight, skimpy pink outfit that hugged her curves–a bit too well for
secretary. She looked more ready for a night out than a day at the office.
It was nine in the morning, the official start of the workday, but Monica’s focus seemed to be on her phone call rather than her actual job
“I was tired. Izzy replied calmly, setting her laptop on the desk. Strangely, her mind had been occupied by Liam’s reaction earlier, and talking to Monica was the least of her concerns. “I had an emergency project Calen wanted me to do as soon as possible.” She looked at Monica, unfazed. “Did you need something?”
“Izzy, how could you ask that?” Monica stomped further into the office, closing the glass door behind her with unnecessary force. “Did you call the bank yet? All my cards were declined. Every single one of them. Mom told you to call, didn’t she? So, what did they say?”
Izzy raised an eyebrow, unfazed by Monica’s impatience. She could see the desperation behind Monica’s overly dramatic act as she shifted on those towering heels, visibly flustered.
“I haven’t called the bank yet, but I’ll get to it as soon as I finish this,” Izzy said. She opened her laptop, her fingers already moving over the keyboard as she pulled up the day’s data sheets
She focused on her work, deliberately keeping her attention on the spreadsheet filled with numbers. The woman’s appearance somehow reminded her of the images of Calen and Monica that Liam gave her. It flickered in her mind, but she pushed them aside, channeling her energy into her work instead.
Monica leaned over her shoulder, frowning as she tried to make sense of the numbers on Izzy’s screen. “Mr. Weiss needed you earlier, by the way. He asked where you were.”
Izzy nodded without looking up. Inside the office, Monica had always addressed Calen as Mr. Weiss, never using his name. Izzy thought this was very respectful. Now, she wondered if this was some sort of a fetish or something. “I’ll get to him as soon as I’m finished here.” She kept her gaze on the screen, hoping Monica would take the hint and leave.
When Monica remained standing there, Izzy finally lifted her eyes, meeting her cousin’s annoyed expression. “Is there something else, Monica?”
Monica’s mouth tightened, and she crossed her arms. “Why did you leave last night, Izzy? I was forced to pay for the whole meal after you just disappeared.”
Izzy blinked, unfazed. “Why are you telling me this? Do you need help asking Arianna to reimburse you? She was the one who invited you, right? It seems only fair she would cover it.”
Monica’s nostrils flared slightly, her posture stiffening. “I assumed we take care of it. You always do. I thought you’d said
you would.”
“I don’t remember saying that,” Izzy replied, her tone cool as she returned her focus to her laptop. “But I’ve been busy, so I’ll check my messages later. I can call Arianna if there’s any confusion.”
Izzy’s composed demeanor seemed to chip away at Monica’s patience, her cousin’s irritation growing more visible by the second. Normally. Izzy’s immediate offer to pay would’ve relieved her, but today, she was met with nothing but calm indifference.
“You know, this isn’t like you,” Monica muttered, her frustration evident
Izzy looked at Monica, fury simmering beneath her calm exterior. How dare this woman stand here and speak so casually
Chapter I
after betraying her with the gian she loved? For a fleeting moment, Izzy considered slapping her. But no–that would be too easy, too lenient. It wouldn’t give her the justice she deserved.
Justead she let out a frustrated sigh. “Galen hasn’t even done anything for our anniversary the muttered, lowering her ga
as if disappointed. “Maybe he forgot”
Monica’s eyes widened in apparent shock. “Not even a flower?”
“Not even a flower,” Izzy replied, leaning back and studying her cousin. Monica looked genuinely surprised, almost indignant on her behalf. The previous Izzy might have been fooled by her performance. She was certainly convincing–too convincing, like an actress who knew her role all too well.
Izzy forced a tight–lipped smile. “Don’t worry about it. I just—‘
“Are you telling me you’ve been throwing yourself into work just to avoid him?” Monica asked, her eyes wide with feigned
concem.
How could someone sound so sympathetic while stabbing her in the back? Izzy wondered. The duplicity was staggering
Izzy didn’t bother to respond. Her silence was enough for Monica, who took it as permission to continue. “Then why not take some time off? Maybe that would make him realize what he’s missing. That insufferable Calen, he’s so-
chance to
Without hesitation, Monica launched into a tirade, calling Calen every name in the book. She didn’t miss the c remind Izzy, once again, how she’d chosen not to manage her grandfather’s company because of Calen, who worked her to the bone.
For the longest time, Izzy had mistaken this rant as a genuine concern–a caring gesture from someone who saw her as family. But now, she couldn’t shake the suspicion that Monica’s so–called “concern” was nothing more than self–interest. Did she want Izzy to break things off with Calen so she could have him for herself?
Or maybe it was something else. Perhaps Monica was pushing her to work for her late grandfather’s company to cover the mysterious debt Amalia kept hinting at.
The more she thought about it, the more she realized how stupid she had been.
“Alright, I’ve talked too much. Anyway, you don’t have to call Arianna. Just transfer the money to me. I mean, eight. thousand isn’t actually a lot for you, right?” Monica calmly switched the topic.
How clever, Izzy thought inwardly, masking her irritation with a look of feigned confusion.
“Why should I transfer the funds when Arianna invited me?” Izzy asked, feigning innocence. “Shouldn’t she transfer the money to you instead?
“Izzy, how could you say that? You know that Arianna-
“The bangle I gifted her should be enough to cover the meal. It was, what.. nine thousand or something?” Izzy blinked, pretending not to understand Monica’s game. “And she didn’t even invite me to her wedding or her baby shower. Isn’t it a bit much to expect me to pay for everything just because she wants me to?”
Monica’s face tightened, a flash of irritation breaking through her polished facade. For a moment, she looked completely thrown, and watching her expression turn ugly nearly made Izzy laugh.
“Izzy you..”
“Did I say something wrong? Izzy asked, feigning innocence with a saccharine smile. If Monica wanted to play dumb, Izzy was more than ready to play along “I wasn’t invited to any important events and was only invited to that restaurant last minute. I thought it was Arianna’s treat. Did I miss anything here?”
13:12 Wed, Jan
