Chapter 294
She offered praise, but it did little to ease my apprehension. There was a calculated edge to her words.
"I heard there was also a bit of a misunderstanding between you and Ms. Cooper?" she continued.
My brow furrowed. Why bring up Nicole now? "It was nothing major, just a difference of opinion. We're past it."
"As the director's assistant, you're a key player in the general office now. You're not just assisting the chairman; you're the liaison between him and the department heads. Building strong relationships is crucial. Do you understand?"
"Of course, Ms. Foster."
"Good. Now, I'm going to have Ms. Cooper come in here so you two can clear the air. I expect you both to put the past behind you and work together harmoniously from now on. Is that understood?"
I nodded, and moments later, Nicole arrived.
Her eyes met mine, and a sly smile spread across her lips. She was clearly enjoying this.
"Alright, John," Linda said, her tone firm. "Ms. Cooper is here. Talk it out. I want to see a united front from now on."
"Yes, Ms. Foster."
Nicole was nothing more than a pawn in Linda's game. She might feel important now, but Linda would discard her without a second thought once she had served her purpose.
This whole charade was about bringing me under Linda's control. Or perhaps her motives ran even deeper.
"Ms. Cooper," I began, forcing a contrite tone. "I want to apologize for any unpleasantness that occurred between us in the marketing department. Let's put it all behind us, shall we?"
Nicole played her part perfectly, accepting my faux apology with feigned sincerity.
"John," Linda interjected, her voice sharp. "Let's be clear about where your loyalties lie."
"My loyalty is to you, Ms. Foster," I replied, my voice steady.
"Good," she said, a hint of approval in her tone. "Now that you're settling into your new role, and with the chairman expanding his operations in other provinces, I need you to familiarize yourself with the inner workings of each department."
Familiarize myself? What was she playing at?
"Ms. Cooper will assist you with this, focusing specifically on the project department and the external development department."
I knew about the project department, but the external development department was a mystery to me. I refrained from asking, not wanting to appear ignorant. I would figure it out later.
"Of course, Ms. Foster."
"One more thing," she added casually. "Mr. Zandae, the driver, has returned home for a family funeral. I need you to fill in for him temporarily."
I felt a surge of annoyance. Was this some kind of joke?
"As you wish, Ms. Foster."
"Don't sound so put out, John," she said, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "You must think I'm deliberately making things difficult for you."
"Not at all, Ms. Foster."
"Your displeasure is quite evident, John. But let me assure you, if I didn't see potential in you, you wouldn't be sitting here right now."
I feigned a look of realization. "I understand, Ms. Foster. You're just trying to help Ms. Cooper relax and focus on her work."
Inwardly, I scoffed. Did she really think I was that naive?
"It's always refreshing to work with someone who understands the bigger picture," she said, tossing a set of car keys onto the desk. "Here's another set. Starting next Monday, you'll be my driver."
I left her office feeling more drained than I had after a grueling workout. Maintaining this charade, pretending to be someone I wasn't, was exhausting.
Earning the trust of someone as shrewd as Linda was no easy feat.
My confrontation with Joseph yesterday had been partly impulsive, but it was also a calculated move to gauge Linda's reaction.
Her reaction, or lack thereof, told me everything I needed to know. She and Joseph were more than just colleagues.
I glanced at my phone. The recording had captured thirty-six minutes and twenty seconds of our conversation.
Back in my office, Amelia greeted me with a knowing smile. "Another summons from the queen bee?"
"Something like that," I replied vaguely. "By the way, do you know anything about the company's external development department?"
"You don't?" she asked, her eyebrows shooting up in surprise.
"I'm afraid not."
"It was Ms. Wilson's brainchild. It's still in its early stages, but the focus is on bulk commodity trading and online promotional platforms."
I was stunned. Katherine had managed to set up an entire department without anyone noticing?
She had even mentioned making me a director!
It all made sense now. Linda wanted me to keep tabs on Katherine, to sabotage her efforts and prevent the external development department from gaining a foothold.
This wasn't just about power; it was about control. Linda was determined to seize control of Skyliho Group.
"Ms. Wilson wants to see me. I'll be back later."
I made my way to Katherine's office and closed the door behind me. "You wanted to see me?"
"Lock the door," she said, her voice low.
I did as I was told and took a seat beside her, resisting the urge to pull her into my arms. It wasn't because I didn't want to; it was because I couldn't risk it.
Her scent, intoxicating and addictive, would surely linger on my skin. Amelia had a nose for these things, and I couldn't afford to slip up.
"You certainly made quite the scene yesterday," she said, a hint of ice in her voice.
"I couldn't just stand there and watch while he assaulted her," I protested.
"Do you realize that your interference has jeopardized everything?" she asked, her eyes blazing with anger.
My stomach dropped. "You're saying I made things worse?"
It dawned on me that she had never wanted me to intervene in the first place.
"I warned you not to get involved."
Her words brought back a rush of memories from the previous day, her warning at the restroom door echoing in my ears.
"It was a trap," she said, her voice laced with frustration. "And you walked right into it."
"What are you talking about? How could it have been a trap?" I shouted.
My mind was spinning. 'What happened? And how do you know so much about this?'
"How I know is not important. What's important is that your recklessness has put her in an impossible position. Once again, she's the one left to pick up the pieces. Do you understand?"
"But what actually happened?"
I stood up and walked towards her, taking her hand in mine.
I had a sinking feeling I was about to uncover a truth I wasn't ready for.
"Don't you see, John?" she asked, her voice laced with sadness. "You already know the answer."
I stared at her, my mind reeling. "You're saying I ruined her plan?"
Yesterday had felt like a crushing defeat, but now, a glimmer of hope flickered within me. As much as it pained me to admit it, this outcome was far more bearable than the thought of Jenny willingly entering into a relationship with Joseph.
"She accepted his proposal to protect you, John," Katherine said quietly.
I felt a surge of shame, the weight of my actions crashing down on me. I was a fool.
"I'm so sorry," I whispered, my voice thick with regret.
Katherine squeezed my hand gently. "It's done, John. There's no changing it now."
"But how did you know all of this?" I asked, my confusion growing.
"You probably think I followed you, but I didn't," she replied, a sad smile gracing her lips. "It's just that... all of this is a little too coincidental."
"Did you two have some sort of agreement?"
"Did you know that Jenny and I went to college together?"
My mind went blank.
Jenny and Katherine knew each other?
"We weren't in the same classes, but we knew each other," Katherine explained.
A thousand questions swirled in my mind.
Why had Jenny warned me to stay away from Katherine? Why had she been so hostile towards her?
"This is our secret, John. No one can know. Not even him."
She paused, her gaze meeting mine. "Do you know who helped Jenny through her first divorce?"
"It was you," I breathed, the pieces finally falling into place.
"Yes, it was me," she confirmed. "And she paid a heavy price for her freedom."
I had no words. No arguments.
What had I done?
"I'm so, so sorry," I whispered, my voice choked with emotion.
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