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Calista glanced around, realizing that everyone present was against her, even Zara was siding against her.
She drew in a sharp breath and hurried to say, “Zara, even after you joined the Zamora Group, you still had to put in the effort. But she…
Before Calista could finish her words, Chloe stepped out of Garret’s office and cut her off
What’s all this commotion?” Chloe asked.
Calista’s face froze for a second, but she quickly pulled herself together and jumped in
‘Chloe, none of us received any notice about going out for a project, but Ms. Finley is leaving her desk during work boun ignoring company policy. Please discipline her,” Calista said.
Chloe looked at Calista and said in a firm voice, “I don’t have the authority to take any disciplinary action against Ms. Finley
Calista’s expression shifted, and she quickly spoke up, “Chloe, you’re our department head. You can’t look the other way because of Garret. Ignoring everyone’s frustration isn’t fair.”
As soon as Calista tried to drag everyone else into it, the others immediately ducked their heads and pretended to be bas wanting no part of the drama.
Calista frowned. Seeing how everyone was too scared to speak up, her confidence wavered
But with Zara standing right beside her, Calista knew she had to keep playing the role of the righteous one, no matter what
Chloe looked at Calista, who was acting all self–righteous, and said firmly, ‘Calista, if you have any complaints, let’s discuss this in my office, in private. Please don’t disrupt everyone’s work.”
Calista’s face went rigid, frustration written all over her.
She said, “As far as I know, the Zamora Group never plays favorites. It’s always been survival of the fittest in the execumse office.
If Marina gets off scot–free, what’s the point of all our hard work?”
Chloe’s face turned serious as she looked over at Zara and asked, “Miss Blanchard, are you siding with Calista on this?”
Zara hadn’t expected Chloe to pull her into this whole office drama
She hesitated for a moment, lowered her head, and looked clearly uncomfortable.
“Honestly, Chloe, I really don’t know what to say. But since someone brought it up maybe we should hear them out,” Zara replied.
Seeing Zara take her side, Calista finally felt a wave of relief wash over her.
If this got escalated to Daron or the other shareholders, Marina would probably be out of a job at the Zamora Group for good.
A glimmer of triumph flashed in Cora’s eyes. She was practically giddy with excitement
Chloe considered for a moment, then spoke with a serious tone, ‘T’ll bring this to Mr. Zamora’s attention
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3:47 am D&
Chapter 405
Marina arched an eyebrow, gave Calista and Zara a quick, dismissive glance, then turned her attention back to Chloe
“Chloe, am I free to go now?” she asked.
Chloe nodded respectfully.
Yes, you may go. Take care, Ms. Finley,” said Chloe.
Marina gave a slight nod and made her way toward the elevator.
Calista was left speechless. After all the commotion she’d stirred up, Marina walked off with cool confidence, ignoring the drama, as none of it even mattered.
Calista tried again, “Chloe…”
Chloe gave her a cool glance and interrupted.
I’ve got your concerns down. I’ll let Mr. Zamora know. Whether it’s about Ms. Finley or Ms. Blanchard, I’ll report everything,” Chloe said.
Calista froze for a moment, a look of confusion flashing across her eyes.
How is Zara involved in any of this?” Calista demanded.
Chloe replied coolly, “Ms. Finley hasn’t gone through the company’s assessment, same as Ms. Blanchard. You want things to ›e fair, right? So I’ll be reporting both of them. That’s only fair.”
Calista’s expression shifted, and she quickly glanced over at Zara, panic flickering in her eyes.
Zara’s lips pressed into a thin line, but she kept quiet.
Chloe shot her a quick look, then turned and walked away.
Calista looked kind of embarrassed
As she sat down, she lowered her voice to Zara, saying, “Zara, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to drag you into this
You seemed upset after coming back from Garret’s office, and I thought maybe Marina was giving you a hard time or omething, so…”
Cara cast Calista a cool, indifferent glance and said in a serious, low voice, “Didn’t I tell you not to get into conflicts with her it the office?”
Calista had never been spoken to by Zara in such a stern tone before. She froze. When she saw the look of loathing in Zara’s yes, she instantly panicked.
Zara, I’m really sorry. I swear I didn’t mean to… L… Calista stammered.
But Zara didn’t want to hear Calista’s apology. Her expression frosted over as she buried herself in her files.
Still, in her mind, Zara kept running through the way Chloe had looked at her just now.
Zara had always been respectful to Chloe. She’d never crossed Chloe, not once.
But after everything that went down today, it felt like Chloe was out to get her.
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Chapter 405
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Is it because Chloe is close to Marina? So Chloe is trying to put me on the spot on purpose? Just like Cora. Zara wondered.
Zara drew in a deep breath and gave Calista a cool, sideways glance.
Calista shot her an apologetic look right away.
Zara instantly looked away, her eyes glinting with a hint of spite.
Zara thought, If that’s how it is, Marina’s backup is playing on a whole different level than mine.
‘Calista had been acting like a clueless idiot earlier.
‘She was totally oblivious to what Chloe was scheming.
Chloe was obviously baiting Calista into venting about Marina. For good measure, Calista roped me into the whole mess,
100.‘
Calista kept her head down and walked on eggshells all the way until clock–out time.
She’d meant well, trying to stick up for Zara, but in the end, her good intentions made things worse and left Zara annoyed
with her.
After work, Zara packed up her things and headed out.
Calista quickly caught up to her.
Calista pleaded, “Zara, please don’t be mad at me. I didn’t mean to.
‘Besides, Chloe wouldn’t dare do anything to you. After all, you’re…”
Zara frowned, stopping Calista mid–sentence, her tone serious and distant as she said, “Cora, from now on, let’s be regular coworkers at the office.”
Calista’s face twisted awkwardly, a mix of embarrassment and hurt flickering across her features.
Zara, you…” Calista started, her voice barely above a whisper, not sure what else to say.
Zara looked at her and said seriously, “At work, we’re just coworkers. But after hours, we’re still friends”
Calista pressed her lips together, a flicker of sadness crossing her eyes.
Zara, are you trying to avoid me now? Do you think I’m causing you trouble? Calista asked, her voice tinged with hurt
Zara gave a slight, reserved smile and spoke calmly, “Of course not. You’re not causing me trouble.
Honestly, I think it’s our friendship that’s making things complicated.”
‘You always want to stand up for me, but that puts me in an awkward position. I’m still new here. There’s a lot I need to learn, so it’s normal for people to be hard on me.
‘But when you keep stepping in for me, you end up putting yourself at risk, too.”
“Let’s keep things professional at work from now on.”
Calista’s eyes shimmered with emotion as she listened to Zara. She realized Zara wasn’t pushing her away. She was actually trying to look out for her.
2
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The threven Bexar Cenots, Zack’s serate lideth replaced by a smire and a hint of sarcasm in her eyes
She knew that if the wayed done so Callisce, all of Cord’s reckless actions, exgerially the ones that pissed off Marina would eventually come back to base her
After all thou yours en rognering round the Zamora family, there was no way Zara was going to let an outsider mess things up for her when it mattered
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
