Chapter 550
550:
“You’ve been pushing yourself too hard,” Ethan said to Brenna as he walked over, his voice dropping to a gentle murmur. Without hesitation, he reached out and took Brenna’s hand in his, his touch light but protective.
“I ordered food already. Sit down and eat, okay?”
Standing a short distance away, Greta silently observed Ethan’s gentle gesture, a sharp pang of envy twisting in her chest. She couldn’t help but wonder when her hand might ever be held so warmly by him. With a practiced smile, Greta greeted Brenna before excusing herself with a graceful nod, leaving the couple to their moment.
Outside, as Greta passed the rows of workstations, she could feel her colleagues’ curious stares drilling into her back. Their expressions were odd, filled with thinly veiled judgment, yet no one directly said anything.
Tommy approached Greta, a boxed meal in hand, and paused next to her. In a hushed tone tinged with caution, he advised,
“Next time Mr. Mitchell drops by, don’t make it so obvious you’re trying to get close to him. Tread lightly, or Brenna won’t hesitate to fire you.”
Greta’s face drained of color. She immediately understood the hidden meaning behind his words, yet pride wouldn’t let her back down. Forcing a sneer onto her face, she snapped back stiffly,
“What kind of nonsense are you spouting? I am not trying to get close to Mr. Mitchell.”
Nearby, a few colleagues paused mid-bite, throwing quick, sidelong glances her way. Some of their eyes gleamed with gossip, others narrowed in silent disdain.
Tommy leaned a little closer, his expression serious.
“Don’t play us for fools,” he said bluntly. “The way you look at Mr. Mitchell… anyone can tell what you’re thinking.”
Greta’s cheeks burned with embarrassment. Flustered and irritated, she shot back,
“You’ve got no right to poke your nose into my personal matters.”
The colleagues nearby murmured among themselves, talking with raised eyebrows about Greta’s audacity in vying for attention, potentially even clashing with Brenna for the affections of a man.
Tommy’s gaze shifted back to the room where Brenna and Ethan shared a cozy lunch, their closeness speaking volumes. Brenna’s laughter rang clear, her face alight with joy at something Ethan had said.
Tommy turned back to Greta, his voice a warning whisper.
“Brenna may seem easygoing, but she’s no pushover. She has fired people here before…”
His eyes narrowed slightly as he continued,
“I’m not sure your intentions for joining us were ever solely professional.”
Greta’s eyes flashed with anger as she retorted,
“How about you mind your own business?”
Tommy, on the verge of cautioning Greta to temper her wild fantasies and be more restrained, was interrupted when Joe walked over, clutching a black folder.
Joe’s eyes scanned the room quickly before he asked casually,
.
.
.