47 Chapter 47 – Apologies and Rejection
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Chapter 47 Apologies and Rejection
Hazel’s POV
“Miss Hazel, Mr. West needs you in his office right away” Morris announced, appearing beside my desk like a nervous sparrow. “Drop everything and head up there now. Did you complete that client analysis I assigned this morning?”
I glanced up at my new supervisor, taking in his compact frame and thick–rimmed glasses that made his eyes appear owlish. Despite his quirky appearance, Morris had proven to be surprisingly warm–hearted, constantly humming cheerful melodies that drifted across our bustling floor.
The commercial department buzzed with constant energy around me. Dozens of cubicles formed neat clusters throughout the expansive space, with Morris’s glass–walled office serving as the only private sanctuary. Phones rang incessantly while colleagues debated strategies and shared gossip. The organized chaos felt invigorating after months of uncertainty, and I had already begun forming genuine friendships with my teammates. But Morris’s urgent summons sent ice through my veins.
“Everything’s organized and documented,” I confirmed, sliding the completed folders across my desk. “The quarterly reports are color–coded by department. Do you need me to walk through any specific sections?”
“Not now, kiddo. The big man upstairs is waiting, and he sounded pretty insistent about seeing you immediately,” Morris replied, practically shooing me toward the elevators. “If I have questions about your work, we’ll tackle them later. But seriously, don’t keep him waiting”
My legs felt leaden as I made my way to the elevator bank
The polished steel doors reflected. my anxious expression while soft Mozart drifted from hidden speakers. I forced myself to breathe deeply, counting each inhalation as floors ticked by. Whatever Mr. West wanted to discuss, I would handle it professionally.
The executive secretary offered a reassuring smile when I approached her mahogany desk. “Go right in, dear. Mr. West is expecting you.”
I knocked twice before entering, my voice steady despite the butterflies attacking my stomach. “You wanted to see me, sir? How can I assist you today?”
The sight that greeted me nearly knocked me backward. Mr. West sat behind his imposing desk, but he wasn’t alone. Chloe occupied one of the leather chairs facing him, her expression unreadable. And there, looking haggard and desperate, sat Liam Sterling.
My blood turned to ice water. This had to be about my termination from Sterling Enterprises. Liam had probably convinced Mr. West that hiring me was a mistake, that I was some kind of
47 Chapter 47- Apologies and Rejection
We settled into chairs on opposite sides of Mr. West’s coffee table. Liam’s face showed clear signs of suffering, but I couldn’t let that affect me. He probably missed having a convenient scapegoat more than he missed me.
Liam began explaining everything they had uncovered about the corporate espionage. He revealed that Bianca had orchestrated the entire setup, that she was the actual mole feeding information to their competitors. The security team had to maintain the charade of suspecting me while they traced her contacts and gathered evidence.
I wasn’t particularly surprised by Blanca’s betrayal. She had always been opportunistic, inserting herself into conversations and situations where she didn’t belong.
“Hazel, I’m begging for your forgiveness. I was an idiot who acted on pure emotion instead of logic. I was cruel and unfair to you. I’m so sorry, Hazel. When I saw those fabricated emails, I felt betrayed and refused to listen to reason. I didn’t give you any chance to defend yourself. Please forgive me,” Ljam said, his voice breaking.
But forgiveness wasn’t something I could simply grant on demand. The wounds were too deep, too fresh.
“Mr. Sterling, you had me escorted from your building like a common criminal. You screamed accusations at me, called me names I won’t repeat. You refused to hear my side of the story, wouldn’t even let me speak in my own defense. You told me I belonged in the gutter, I said, tears streaming down my cheeks despite my efforts to stay strong. “Do you honestly believe a simple apology crases all of that? That asking for forgiveness makes everything disappear? It doesn’t work that way. You shattered my heart in ways I never thought possible.”
He reached toward me, and I flinched away from his touch.
“Please don’t touch me,” I whispered, squeezing my eyes shut.
“Hazel, please give me one chance to make this right. We can rebuild what we had,” he begged. “I’m
, but I can’t do that, Mr. Sterling. I was publicly humiliated, degraded, and discarded. I can’t simply forget that happened. I appreciate you coming here to clear my name, and I’m genuinely glad you’re making progress in your investigation. But that’s all I can offer you” I stood abruptly and walked out, heading straight for the conference room. The moment I entered, sobs wracked my body as months of suppressed pain finally erupted. Chloe immediately wrapped me in her arms while Mr. West placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Take the rest of the day off, both of you. I’ll explain everything to Morris. You have my full support, Hazel,” he said before quietly leaving us alone.
I clung to my friend as the tears continued falling, washing away the last remnants of hope I’d been secretly harboring.
