Chapter 18
Confrontation
Elena
"What's the matter?" Jay noticed my uneasy expression and he nudged me slightly.
"I…" I was just about to speak when a commotion from the front dragged my attention.
"I will volunteer," a woman stood up, she was at the other end of the hall. "I met all the requirements," she added, adjusting her suit, she looked confident.
'Hmmm,' I noticed Olivia's lips curling into a small smile as she stared at the woman.
"That's Claire… isn't she Olivia's niece?... I heard so too…" Whispers and murmurs broke out amongst the employees and I heard bits and pieces.
Olivia's niece? My heart sank as their words sank in, I had a bad feeling about this. Something wasn't right.
Indeed.
Olivia's eyes scanned across the room, "If there's no one else then we'll move—"
"Wait," Conor raised his hand, interrupting her. "Are there any other volunteers?" He asked again, gazing intently at the room.
Olivia's eyes narrowed coldly in displeasure, she didn't look happy at being interrupted but she didn't say anything. Her cold gaze snaked through the room, waiting for who would volunteer.
Quiet murmurs burst out amongst the crowd again. "This is a foregone conclusion… Olivia's made it obvious… anyone who volunteers right now will be publicly opposing her…"
My expression darkened as I listened.
Someone sighed from behind me, "A pity. I heard no one was employed for the position, now Olivia's going to take over it."
What! My eyes widened as the words slipped into my ears. I suddenly understood.
Olivia had planned everything.
If I'd resumed on Monday, she'd have probably told me that the job wasn't available anymore. Me resuming on Monday was just so she could slot her niece into the project.
That would explain her attitude towards me earlier, she'd probably left me at the catalogue department so I wouldn't get in the way.
My thoughts raced through my head and I quickly put two and two together.
"Is there anyone?" Conor asked, his voice already sounding resigned.
No one dared to volunteer anymore. Not when Olivia had her heart set on it. Offending her wasn't worth it.
"I'm interested," my voice broke the silence as I raised my hand. I could feel a sea of gazes sweep my way and murmurs filled the air.
I breathed slowly, trying to ignore the eyes that bored into me. I didn't have a choice, I could either take action now or watch Olivia give my job away.
It was very important that I got this job. I wasn't willing to let it go.
"Huh?" Conor looked surprised and he turned around to see me. "You work here?" He asked after a moment, his brows furrowed.
"I was just—" I was about speaking but Olivia cut me off, her face dark like a cloud.
"Hmph! You're not qualified," she snapped, flinging her hands in annoyance. "She doesn't have the requirements," she turned to Conor, her voice firm.
"But…" I felt a surge of indignance at her blatant lie. But Olivia wouldn't let me speak.
"Enough," she snapped, waving her hands. "We'll move on to the next position."
"I think not," Conor suddenly spoke up, he had a frown on his face. "Let's hear what she has to say."
"But—" Olivia wanted to protest.
"Enough," Conor scribbled something on a notepad in his hands. He looked up at me, "Name?"
"Elena," I stuttered, caught by surprise but I couldn't resist the small smile that tugged at my lips.
Conor nodded, "Meet me after the meeting," he instructed and I nodded quickly. He glanced at Olivia, indicating she could continue.
Olivia's lips thinned and she shot a searing glance at me, but she didn't say a word.
"The next position we're…" she continued.
That was close, I exhaled slowly, melting into my seat. Jay beside me looked at me like a monster.
"I thought you were also an intern," he whispered, and he gave me a look of awe.
I chuckled softly but I didn't respond, simply giving him a small smile.
I could still feel my heart pounding in my chest and my mind raced with thoughts as I considered my next action.
Soon the meeting was over, Olivia and Conor had picked a few other members to be part of the project.
I rose to my feet, still feeling a bit uneasy as I watched the other people walk out of the hall. Those who'd been selected like me stood quietly.
"Good luck," Jay whispered, flashing me a reassuring smile before he left. I nodded, feeling a bit reassured.
"So," Conor appeared in front of me. "What's your story? I don't remember seeing you in previous meetings," he stared at me with curious eyes.
"I…" I'd just opened my mouth to speak when I spotted Olivia approaching us out of the corner of my eye.
"I was employed just recently," I spoke quickly and I handed him my file. "This is my employment letter," I stiffened a little as Olivia appeared beside me, her presence felt discomforting.
"What's this?" Olivia questioned Conor, she looked uneasy.
Conor didn't answer, his entire attention fixated on the documents. "But…" Conor suddenly frowned and he turned to Olivia.
"What's the meaning of this?" Conor asked, his voice rising.
"We…" Olivia froze, her eyes sweeping over me. "We'll discuss this later," she forced a smile, trying to calm him.
"We won't discuss anything anywhere," Conor said, his voice deadly calm.
"I wonder what the CEO would say," Conor suddenly added, and Olivia stiffened.
"I wonder what he'd say if I told him you tampered with the HR records to give your niece an unfair advantage for Project Houston?"
"What!" I couldn't believe my ears and my mind blanked for a moment. Olivia really did that?
The air in the room seemed stifled and Olivia's eyes narrowed as she stared at Conor, silently weighing what to say.
Claire looked shell-shocked, her eyes drifted between Conor and Olivia.
"Elena," Conor snapped me out of my daze. He extended a hand to me.
"Welcome to Project Houston."