Chapter 413 How Much is the Salary
"Bella, what do I gotta do to get you back?" Sterling muttered to himself, his eyes a mix of confusion and determination. He was caught up in this love game, unable to pull himself out.
The next morning, Bella woke up early as usual, a faint smile on her face as if last night's argument with Sterling had never happened.
But deep down, she knew Sterling meant what he said. If he wanted her back, he wouldn't give up easily.
Sterling's clothes left at her place were like a ticking time bomb, constantly reminding Bella of his presence and their past that couldn't be easily erased.
Whenever she saw those clothes, a complex emotion surged within her—both unease and resolve. She couldn't go back. The cracks and pain in that relationship were something she couldn't ignore or truly let go of.
Today, Isadora had taken a personal day off, adding more chaos to the already busy dessert shop.
Serafina and another server were already swamped, and Bella was the only one familiar with the cash register. This meant she had to handle both kitchen prep and the register, ensuring every transaction was accurate.
Bella moved between the kitchen and the front counter, sweat beading on her forehead. She operated the register skillfully, smiling at each customer despite her inner exhaustion and tension. She knew this was her responsibility and part of her life.
Amidst the busyness, Bella occasionally thought of Sterling's clothes, lying quietly in the corner of her home, silently speaking of something. But she forced herself not to dwell on it, focusing on her work. She knew that keeping busy was the only way to temporarily forget those troubles and conflicts.
Isadora was a diligent employee who rarely took time off unless it was something important.
Bella didn't ask much about Isadora's absence. Around ten in the morning, the shop was neither too busy nor too quiet.
At that moment, a stylishly dressed woman in her fifties walked into the shop. She wore a brightly colored dress with exquisite accessories, looking very spirited.
However, she headed straight for the register, her eyes scanning the place as if searching for something, not just here for a treat.
Bella noticed the woman's unusual behavior. She paused her work and greeted her with a smile, "Hi there! How can I help you today?"
The woman didn't answer Bella immediately, continuing to look around as if confirming something. After a moment, she turned to Bella and said, "You have an employee named Isadora, right?"
Bella was taken aback, not expecting the woman to be looking for Isadora. She shook her head and replied, "Yeah, Isadora took the day off today. Is there something I can help you with? I can pass on a message."
The woman took the menu Bella handed her, flipping through it casually before looking up with a slight smile. "I know she took the day off. Actually, she's my daughter-in-law. My granddaughter had a fever last night, so she couldn't come to work. I just wanted to confirm if she works here and ask about her monthly salary."
Upon hearing that the woman was Isadora's mother-in-law, Felicity Penrose, Bella couldn't help but feel a subtle change in her attitude, instantly disliking her.
Especially after hearing Isadora talk about how her mother-in-law made things difficult for her, Bella reassessed the stylish, well-groomed woman before her.
Felicity's brown hair was styled in trendy curls, shining in the sunlight. Her heels, though only about 1.5 inches, added to her distinguished demeanor. Her handbag was clearly expensive, and her semi-permanent eyebrows made her look vibrant. Compared to Isadora's usual bare-faced look, Felicity seemed excessively refined.
Bella couldn't help but think, Isadora's simple, almost makeup-free appearance was a stark contrast to her mother-in-law's polished image. Moreover, from Felicity's energetic state, she didn't seem to have any major health issues, contrary to what Isadora had said about her frequent excuses of illness to avoid helping with Novi.
Despite these thoughts, Bella maintained her professional demeanor, smiling as she answered Felicity's question:
"Rest assured, Isadora works very well here, and we all like her. As for her salary, it varies based on her performance."
Seeing Bella's reluctance to disclose Isadora's salary, Felicity's face darkened, her mouth curling into an unfriendly smirk. She sneered, "How can you be so clueless? Don't you know how to be considerate? I'm just asking about my daughter-in-law's salary, not your store's secrets. Why can't you tell me? This isn't some big corporation, just a regular dessert shop. What kind of secret could the salary be? Besides, I'm her family, not an outsider. Why can't I know?"
Bella's irritation grew, but she tried to stay professional, politely explaining, "Mrs. Penrose, I understand your concern as a family member, but salary is personal information. Whether it's a big company or a small shop, we should respect everyone's privacy."
However, Felicity didn't seem ready to give up. She continued, "I see her leaving early and coming back late, neglecting her child, yet she always looks so energetic. It doesn't seem like she's busy at the shop all day. I wonder what she's really doing. You young people always hide things, not letting anyone know the truth."
Bella's anger was barely contained. She took a deep breath, trying to keep her tone calm, "Mrs. Penrose, I respect your concerns, but please don't make baseless accusations about Isadora. She works very hard here, and we all see it."
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