Chapter 8
~ Octavia ~
"I beg your pardon?" I frowned, my voice dropping an octave.
"You heard me," Bella replied, her expression a mirror of my own disdain.
"Okay, I'm going to pretend you didn't just call me a whore," I said, my heart hammering against my ribs.
"But I did. What are you fucking going to do about it?" Her voice was a challenge, a dare to start a scene right there in the lobby.
"You know, Bella, you're an expert at pushing buttons. But today? I'm not playing your game."
I kept my voice eerily calm, stepping past her as the elevator doors chimed open. I left her standing in the lobby, fuming in silence.
When I returned to my desk, Victoria was already waiting with a knowing look. She glanced around at our colleagues, ensuring the hum of keyboards and telephone rings provided enough cover for a private conversation.
"Where have you been?" she whispered, leaning in.
"Don't ask," I said, dropping my purse with a thud.
"Why? You went out for lunch, didn't you?"
