Chapter 88 You Bastard
Jessica was the worst at keeping secrets. Bella could see it all over her face; Jessica was dying to talk to her.
But seriously, what good was she to Bella now?
The only thing she was good for was showing off. So, after some chit-chat, Bella let everyone else go, giving Jessica her moment.
"Miss Astor, congrats! I heard Adelaide's forgiven you, and you're about to tie the knot with Mr. Forbes!" Jessica blurted out.
Bella grinned wide. "Grandma Forbes forgave me ages ago. The delay was all about the Forbes family's image. I was a bit of a mess back then and ditched Tristan. The whole Forbes clan was embarrassed, so she had to put on a front."
"That's awesome," Jessica chimed in quickly. "So, what's the plan with Katniss?"
Bella's smile turned icy. "She's just Tristan's assistant, only good for sneaking into his bed. No way I'm letting her stick around, and she won't be staying in Velvet City either."
Jessica's heart raced with excitement. "That's perfect. A few days ago, Katniss went nuts and demanded I quit by the end of the month. She's definitely jealous of how close we are."
Jessica's little scheme was working, and Bella was eating it up.
"If you don't quit, what's she gonna do?" Bella asked.
Jessica looked worried. "Miss Astor, every employee has some flaws. She could easily find a reason to fire me. It's a tough spot."
As a special assistant, Katniss had the power to fire subordinates, while Bella, just a secretary, didn't have the clout to keep someone on.
So, using her position to protect Jessica wasn't easy. Bella couldn't think of a way.
She considered asking Tristan for help, but she doubted he'd come through.
Jessica didn't even think about going to Tristan. She wanted to solve this problem and score points with Bella at the same time!
"Miss Astor, haven't you thought about what Katniss might pull at Adelaide's birthday party to mess up your plans?" Jessica asked.
That hit a nerve. Bella's face tightened. If Katniss spilled the pregnancy news, it would wreck everything.
"No way, she's gotta be out of Velvet City before Grandma Forbes's birthday party," Bella said, determined.
Jessica nodded eagerly. "Exactly. Once her affair is exposed, she won't be able to stay in the company or Velvet City. And Mr. Forbes will definitely ditch her to save face."
Bella's words hit the bullseye. But Bella wasn't dumb; she knew Jessica was trying to use her.
She grabbed Jessica's hand and said, "This one's on you. If I step in and Tristan gets pissed, it'll mess up our relationship. As long as we're good, I can protect you."
Bella went on, "Don't sweat it. Once Katniss is out, I'll be running the show. You'll not only keep your job, but promotions and raises will be a breeze. And if I remember right, your husband's in Velvet City without a decent gig, right? I can hook him up too, make life easier for you both."
Bella was feeding Jessica's dreams perfectly. How could Jessica say no?
She agreed and headed back, but once she calmed down, she realized it was a sticky situation.
If she messed up and pissed off Katniss, she'd be in deep trouble.
Thinking it over, she called Rupert. "Rupert, we've got a problem. Katniss is about to clash with Mr. Forbes. He's gonna marry Miss Astor!"
Rupert pulled his electric bike over. Annoyed, he said, "No wonder Katniss told me to get ready a few days ago. She must've seen this coming. It's good; it saves her from wasting time."
"Good? What's good about it?" Jessica snapped. "Do you know Katniss is pregnant? She lost her innocence and has to get an abortion. It's so unfair. And once Miss Astor takes over, Katniss won't be able to stay in the company."
Rupert's face darkened. "I'll call Katniss right now and see what she's thinking."
"See what?" Jessica fumed. "She's the victim here, with no parents. As her brother, you should stand up for her. Do you need to ask her? Go confront Mr. Forbes. He'll be scared of you causing trouble. Get some compensation for Katniss."
Rupert shot back, "What are you talking about? Confronting Mr. Forbes is asking for trouble. Besides, if I make a scene, how can Katniss stay in the company? How will she face people?"
Jessica said, "If you don't make a fuss, Katniss won't be able to stay either. Miss Astor won't let her. She's leaving anyway, so why care about her reputation? I'll help you get into the company to meet Mr. Forbes, but don't mention her pregnancy. That would have serious consequences, and she might never find a husband."
Jessica's words made Rupert's head spin, but he still didn't make a decision right away.
Then Jessica hit him with, "I'm doing this for her own good. All the money we get from Mr. Forbes will go to her. If she gets soft-hearted and doesn't plan for herself, can you, as her brother, just stand by and do nothing?"
"You're right. I'm Katniss's only family. I have to stand up for her." Rupert hung up and headed straight to Synergy Global Corporation.
In the big office, the gray and black decor matched Tristan's vibe.
He sat at his desk, his deep eyes watching Katniss as she reported on her work.
He suddenly cut her off. "Got a cold?"
Her nasal voice and teary eyes made her delicate features look pained, clearly showing she wasn't feeling well.
Katniss put down the documents and sniffled. "I have a bit of a cold, but it won't affect my work."
"If you really can't manage, go home and rest," Tristan said, feeling uncomfortable seeing her pretend to be strong. "No pay will be docked."
Katniss was stunned, not sure if she felt happy or bitter. She didn't look Tristan in the eye and shook her head. "Thank you for understanding, Mr. Forbes, but it's not necessary. I can manage."
'Manage?' To Tristan, that word had other implications.
If this relationship continued, how long would she manage? Until Sophia no longer needed money?
"Mr. Forbes, the quarterly work report is finished. Do you have any other instructions?" Katniss closed the file, standing straight despite her frail frame.
Tristan took a packet of cold medicine from the drawer on his left. "Take a packet and then sleep in the lounge."
Katniss looked at the cold medicine he tossed over. Taking it wasn't a big deal. But sleeping in his lounge was unrealistic.
"Listen to me, go sleep," Tristan's tone was not to be questioned.
"But Miss Astor is still outside. Aren't you worried she'll misunderstand or get angry?" Katniss had asked herself this question countless times and couldn't hold back from asking it out loud today.
Tristan seemed to understand something, leaning back in his chair, eyes slightly narrowed as he looked at her. "Ask me again after Grandma's birthday party, and I'll answer you."
Katniss frowned but still nodded. "Fine, I'll take the medicine, but I won't sleep."
"Find some time, we need to talk." Tristan didn't insist she rest but casually said this.
'Talk about what? Besides telling me to be sensible and not cling to him, what else is there to discuss?' Katniss thought.
Katniss forced a smile. "If Mr. Forbes is still willing to talk to me then, I'm always available."
She wondered if he would still want to see her once he knew she was his wife.
Tristan's deep eyes showed a hint of confusion, his gaze fixed on her face, unable to find the reason behind her words.
"I'll get back to work," she said, turning to leave.
The cold medicine was something she had prepared for Tristan. She had a box of it too, but it always seemed to taste different from hers.
The medicine made her drowsy, and she saw double when looking at documents. Unable to hold on, she rested her head on the desk for a while.
Before lunch, the internal line rang. There was an issue in the company, and the afternoon meeting was moved up, likely skipping lunch.
She rubbed her eyes, grabbed the documents, and walked out, just as Tristan came out. She immediately followed him.
High-level executives were also heading over, and it was lunchtime, so the place was crowded.
Katniss spotted a blue figure among the professional attire, wearing a helmet and mask.
The eyes staring at Tristan were too familiar, but she thought it couldn't be him.
Under the influence of the medicine, she didn't react in time, and the figure had already pushed through the crowd.
"Tristan, you bastard! How dare you bully Katniss!" Rupert threw the takeout at Tristan and charged at him.
The familiar voice snapped Katniss awake. She swatted away the takeout about to hit Tristan.
The hot soup spilled all over her, burning her hand and turning her face pale with pain.
Everyone instinctively stepped back, watching Rupert charge at Tristan in horror.
Tristan glanced at Katniss's quickly reddening and blistering hand, then coldly looked at Rupert.
He kicked Rupert in the chest, sending him flying.
Rupert winced in pain but quickly recovered, struggling to get up.
Others regained their senses and quickly restrained Rupert, pinning him to the ground.
His face was pressed against the floor, almost deformed, but he still managed to speak, "Tristan, you bastard! Katniss has been with you for years, as your assistant and your lover. Now you're with another woman and abandoning her..."
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