Chapter 36


    “ra, no way, you’ve still got me, Anders, and Casey. We all love you, and we all care about you.


    We won’t let you get hurt again.”


    That night, ra didn’t sleep well at all. She had several nightmares in a row. When she woke up in


    the morning, her eyes were swollen with dark circles. But life waits for no one, and her father’s


    salvation hung heavily on her shoulders. She had to be strong.


    Breakfast was a nutritious affair prepared by Sasha. ra donned a designer power suit and


    applied her makeup. Then, she drove to the Hayes Corporation.


    No sooner had she stepped into the office than Nicole’s voice, triumphant and domineering, filled


    the air.


    “Who’s responsible for this mess of a meeting summary? No project leads listed?”


    “Who cleaned Mr. Hayes‘ office? There’s a hair on the floor.”


    “How many years have you worked with Mr. Hayes, and you still can’t make a decent cup of


    coffee?”


    A yful smirk yed on ra’s lips as she leaned against the doorway, the soft light. catching in


    her striking hazel eyes. ra finally saw Nicole’s game. Nicole was gunning for her spot.


    ra’sughter, light and melodious, broke the tension. “Nicole, you sure know how to take


    command. I am almost scared to step in.”


    At the sound of her voice, everyone in the CEO’s office went silent, their eyes widening with


    surprise. Amy dashed over. “Ms. ra, are you back to work?”


    With a subtle nod, ra confirmed.


    Còntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    A cheer erupted in the office. “Ms. ra’s back! No more taking crap from Nicole.” Nicole scoffed,


    unimpressed. “So what? I’m the CEO’s chief secretary now.”


    Flipping her auburn curls, ra stepped forward on her heels, closing the distance between them.


    “Is that so? And what of it? Mr. Hayes asked me back, and the first condition was my restoration to


    my former position.”


    ra had always been modest, never unting her achievements, always looking out for her


    colleagues. But now she saw clearly, some people wouldn’t reciprocate kindness, like Nicole


    standing before her.


    Nicole red back defiantly. “I don’t believe you. You’re lying. I reported your framing of Ms. Heidi,


    and that’s why Mr. Hayes promoted me. He wouldn’t go back on his word.”


    ra’s smile was gracious, yet her eyes betrayed a glint of steel. “You can ask him yourself. But


    before you do, let’s settle our old score. Since you reported my ‘framing‘ of


    11.11 W


    Heidi, shouldn’t you return the bribe I gave you to destroy the evidence?”


    The gentle and soft–spoken ra turned cold and formidable in an instant, her presence. looming


    as she cornered Nicole.


    Nicole had never seen ra so intimidating. In her memory, ra was easy to bully and deceive.


    All it took was some tears, and ra had helped her and her boyfriendnd jobs here. A mere


    comint aboutcking funds for a house, and ra had lent her a million without hesitation.


    Nicole envied ra’s privileged background, and her beauty that had evenn captivated. Her teeth


    clenched in secret resentment. “I’ll pay you back soon, and you won’t be smug for long.”


    With that, Nicole hurried out, and a wave of cheers filled the executive office. “Ms. ra, you


    should’ve done this long ago. You treated her like a friend, and she yed you. Such a snake


    deserves hell.”


    From his office,n watched the surveince footage, a smirk ying at the corner of his mouth.


    ra had always been gentle and elegant, never concerned about gains or losses in her


    interactions with colleagues. Ian had never seen her so aggressive and confrontational before, as


    she was just now. He picked up the phone, dialing the internal


    line.


    “Send Ms. ra in.”