I Bought the exiled king (by Natalie Winter) novel Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Valencia

My head was hurt by the time I was done with the seniors. I just felt like I was done with everything

I sat at my desk feeling tired and placed my head between my hands, massaging my temples.

A few minutes later, I heard somebody walk up to me.

If there was another person who wanted to snap at me, I was going to bite his head off.

But when I looked up, I saw Thomas holding a cup of coffee for me.

“That was quite a speech you gave there”

He smiled at me.

I rubbed the back of my neck and responded tiredly.

“I just couldn’t stand them anymore”

Thomas nodded in understanding.

“Of course, Grace and team are what we call the office bullies ”

I raised an eyebrow at that.

“They come at you too, then?”

He placed his cup on my table as well and nodded, “Of course they do. But I have never been able to talk back to them like that.”

I gestured at the coffee cup and muttered, “Thanks”

He smoothed his hair and began, “About what Grace earlier…”

He seemed to trail off and looked at me sheepishly. I had no idea what he was referring to because she had said a dozen things, so I kept waiting for him to expand on that.

He saw I didn’t realize what he was referring to, so added, “uh…about you know, what Grace said about you and me.”

I shrugged that off. “Oh, don’t bother. She is just a nosy bitch.”

His smile faded when I said that.

“Uh, well if you say so,” He mumbled, and I reached for his hand to give it a gentle squeeze.

“Are you okay?”

Thomas turned red again and nodded his head a bit too vigorously.

“Yes, of course. Just wanted to tell you that if you need help, I will be there for you.”

His cheeks turned pink, and he smiled at me.

“If anybody deserves this promotion, it is you. Not them.”

Thomas added.

12:57 Sat, 23 Aug VI • C

Chapter 21

That line would have made me feel elated because that had been my goal for the past five years climbing the corporate ladder

But now, my mind recalled going home to have a nice dinner, warm hugs, and I shut that thought down before it would completely take hold of me

That had been just a mirage. An illusion.

“Thanks,” I mumbled and thought of making myself a strong cup of coffee in the pantry when suddenly I heard my name being yelled.

“Valencia Graham!!”

Thomas‘ smile disappeared as I got up

I shook my head while mumbling.

“When the devil calls, we gotta answer”

He smiled, wished me luck and I almost dragged my feet wearily towards Mrs Briggs cabin.

Σ

I mentally prepared myself for another round of scolding as Lknocked on the miserable woman’s door and she answered sharply.

“Come in”

When I did, I saw her sitting with an exasperated look, her index finger and thumb pinching the bridge of her nose.

“I have just come to learn of a grave mistake, Valencia. And now I am not sure what it would cost this firm.”

Okay, so it was bad.

I looked up at her and put on my best inquisitive face.

“What happened, boss?”

“I believe we are soon going to have a departmental enquiry.”

“For what offence, boss?” I pressed on.

“The new Director has found several mistakes in a few of our reports that we send to the Bureau headquarters every month. And I believe you are the one

who sends it.”

البنا الشي

I tried not blanch at her words.

“No boss, that is the job of our Senior associates.”

I was the proverbial donkey of the office. I took up more work than necessary and was never thanked or appreciated for my efforts.

People just threw stuff at me and magically expected the problems to disappear.

“Which one?”

“Grace,” I answered.

“Well, turns out, she is going to be on an emergency break for a week because her anxiety spiked.”

Anxiety, my foot!

She didn’t have the balls to face the wrath of the new director and face more humiliation after I exposed her.

“Then I am sure one of the other Senior Associates will be able to fill in.”

I suggested, but Mrs Briggs shook her head.

12:57

Chapter 21

“No, they can’t. I have recently joined this office, so even I am not aware of all the cases, but turns out you are”

Nice way to say I am a coward, so I am turning you into a scapegoat.

“But” I began, however, her eyes twinkled with malice as she lowered her voice and leaned forward.

“You should be happy that your chance to prove your worth came sooner than expected. If send a recommendation letter to the Director to make you a Senior Associate.”

you

are able to handle the situation well, I will personally

Senior Associate was the title I had been chasing for years now because I was just a junior associate.

But now, I wanted more.

“Head of Associates” I demanded and Mrs Briggs looked at me like I had asked her for her kidney.

“What?‘ she blurted out.

And I said assertively.

“A departmental enquiry that too directly facing the director is nothing short of a nightmare. It can cost me my job, my reputation and my career. I don’t want to risk it all for a mere one step up the ladder.”

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify