Chapter 360 Venting
Elizabeth leaned in, gripping Octavia's chin with her fingers, forcing her to look at her.
"You not only pretended to be me, causing Calla to go blind and commit suicide, but you also faked a pregnancy, had an affair, and posted the video online to ruin my reputation."
"I've already called the cops. They're gathering evidence of your impersonation and framing me. Sure, you can sue me for assault. I won't deny it. But I need to vent my anger!"
With that, she swung her arm again, delivering a hard slap to Octavia.
The force of the slap sent Octavia crashing into a nearby chair, her nose dislocated and protruding awkwardly from between her eyebrows.
Daniel covered his mouth, exclaiming, "Oh my God! Octavia! What happened to your nose?"
It was only then that their colleagues noticed Octavia's dislocated nose. A wave of whispers spread through the room.
Dean chuckled, "Hey, didn't you always claim you naturally looked like Elizabeth? Well, Elizabeth's nose doesn't do magic tricks!"
Laughter erupted around them.
Octavia clutched her nose, trying to push it back into place, still defiant. "I naturally look like this. I just had a little cosmetic surgery because I thought my nose wasn't pretty enough!"
Dean stood beside her, pointing. "Yeah, a little here, a little there."
His expression suddenly turned serious. "Did you intentionally get surgery to look like Elizabeth to do something bad?"
He glanced meaningfully at Margaret's office. "Or were you following someone else's orders to cause trouble for Elizabeth?"
Octavia, feigning weakness, lay on the ground, shaking her head pitifully. "No, I didn't. I'm innocent. I don't know anything."
Seeing that Elizabeth had vented enough, Daniel stepped in symbolically. "Ms. Jones, that's enough, don't you think? This is STellar Enterprises. If word gets out, it won't look good. How about we leave it at that?"
Elizabeth ignored him, turning to Dean. "Let's go."
Dean was surprised. "Just like that? You're letting her off?"
Elizabeth kept walking. "Do you want to disrespect Daniel? Aren't you afraid he'll get mad? I just wanted to make my stance clear and show everyone that even without Michael backing me, I'm not to be messed with. Didn't you see someone secretly recording?"
Dean rubbed his nose, worried that Daniel might hold a grudge later. He whispered, "Aren't you afraid they'll post the video of you hitting her online?"
Elizabeth replied, "I want them to! Let those who spread rumors know that there are consequences for their actions! Just because they're hiding behind a computer doesn't mean they're safe! I'll make them face legal action!"
Dean nodded and joked, "Alright. Elizabeth, if you get arrested, I'll bring you food."
After Elizabeth left STellar Enterprises, Daniel immediately returned to the CEO's office.
Michael was standing by the window, looking out.
Daniel stood behind him. "Mr. Thomas, Ms. Jones has left."
Michael, hands clasped behind his back, didn't turn around. "Did she vent her anger?"
Daniel nodded. "I think so. She dislocated Octavia's nose. Turns out, Octavia really did get surgery to look like Ms. Jones. I thought she naturally looked like that."
Michael remained silent. Daniel couldn't gauge his mood and cautiously asked, "Mr. Thomas, should I find someone to calm Octavia and Ms. Taylor down?"
He continued, "Octavia isn't an employee, just an intern, but she's Ms. Taylor's cousin. If this gets out, it might affect the company's image."
Michael's voice was cold. "What image does the PR department have left? Tell Margaret to inform Octavia to leave the company immediately."
"And she must not pursue charges against Elizabeth. Otherwise, she'll pay for what happened at the dinner."
Daniel quickly responded, "Yes, Mr. Thomas."
He hurried to the PR department and relayed Michael's message to Margaret.
Margaret sat there motionless, looking exhausted. "Alright, I understand, Mr. Taylor."
Not seeing Octavia, Daniel asked, "Where's Octavia?"
Margaret, eyes vacant, replied, "Sent to the hospital. I'll tell her not to come back. And she won't bother Elizabeth again."
Satisfied, Daniel left.
Dean and the bodyguards safely escorted Elizabeth back to Whispering Pines Estates. Dean handed her a glass of water. "Here, drink this. It'll help calm you down."
Elizabeth sat down, her earlier anger fading, her emotions stabilizing. "Dean, do you think I went too far?"
Dean massaged her shoulders. "Not at all! Why should they always get away with bullying you? You have every right to fight back!"
"Good job! You needed to vent! Otherwise, it could affect your health and the baby! You're doing this for Michael's child!"
Elizabeth chuckled.
Dean continued massaging her arms. "But Elizabeth, you were really angry today, hitting Octavia so hard. While you vented and felt good, I was really scared."
Elizabeth tilted her head back. "Scared of what? That I'd accidentally hit you?"
She laughed again.
Dean, seeing her relax, laughed too. "No, I was worried you'd strain yourself and affect the baby. I was afraid you'd go into early labor."
He looked genuinely concerned.
Elizabeth patted his hand reassuringly. "Don't worry, I know my limits. If I didn't vent, I'd feel stifled, and the baby would be uncomfortable too."
Dean nodded. "Alright. So, what's next? Do you have another plan?"
Elizabeth closed her eyes, enjoying Dean's massage. "I'm going to use their own tactics against them. I'll make Margaret regret her actions."
At the hospital, in the plastic surgery ward, Octavia sat on the bed while Margaret sat on a bench opposite her.
"Octavia, take a few days to recover. Don't go to the company."
Octavia sat up straight. "Margaret, it's just a minor injury. I'll be fine in a few days."
Margaret stared at her. "I said no, and I mean it. You don't need to go back to the company. This ends here. And don't provoke Elizabeth again."
She knew Michael's decision wasn't just about Elizabeth. It was a warning for what happened that night.
If she forced Octavia back to the company, Michael would continue to punish her.
Octavia's eyes widened. "Why? I took those slaps for nothing? She doesn't have to pay any price?"
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