Chapter 13.
“Nothing Ms. Atherton is just joking!”
Juliette stopped her with a pale face, anxiously staring at Jovana’s phone.
Jovana raised her eyebrows. “Why the hurry, Ms. Palmer? Weren’t you just playing the victim? Didn’t you want Vonda to apologize to you? Alright then.”
Juliette’s heart was in her throat.
She was too afraid to worry about pride.
“No, I provoked Vonda. It was my fault. I should be the one to apologize. I’m sorry, Vonda.
“Mr. Dunbar, it really was my fault first. It had nothing to do with Vonda.”
Jovana chuckled and turned to Armando, “So, Mr. Dunbar, are you still going to defend her?
“You chose to believe an outsider over your employee. It’s disheartening. If word gets out, it’ll surely hurt the company’s reputation.”
She fired back at him with the very excuses Armando had just used.
Armando choked, his expression awkward.
Besides, with so many employees watching, he couldn’t say much.
He stepped closer, took Jovana’s hand, and forced a smile. “I’m sorry. I acted too hastily just now. I didn’t think it through. Thanks for reminding me.”
Jovana looked calm. She pressed her lips together and gently tried to pull her hand free.
Armando felt her coldness, his heart tightening. He held her hand firmly, then turned to snap at Juliette behind him.
“Ms. Palmer, you’ve caused trouble at the company time and again. Last time, Ms. Atherton was lenient. This time, you’d better give a proper explanation. This incident will likely get online, so you’ll make a public apology later.”
This was pretty bad for a celebrity.
Juliette felt wronged and upset, but she knew when to back down.
“O–Okay…”
Armando stroked Jovana’s palm, his sharp tone softening.
“Honey, calm down. I was too hasty just now. From now on, I’ll do as you say, okay?”
He was as obedient as a big golden retriever.
In the past, when they’d fought, a little apology from him was enough to make her relent, but not this time.
Jovana didn’t smile or reconcile.
She pulled her hand away, a faint smile on her lips. I’m sure you will.”
Her tone was dismissive.
Armando felt nervous and hurried to catch up.“Vana.”
Behind them, Juliette watched Armando grovel, her chest burning. She stamped her foot in anger.
She’d bid her time. One day, she’d make Armando dump Jovana and beg her to stay.
She wasn’t sure if Jovana had really taken that photo.
She had to think of how to delete it. She couldn’t let Jovana hold evidence against her.
She thought of something, took out her phone, and sent a message.
Armando followed Jovana into the lounge and asked Vonda to leave.
They were alone in the room.
Jovana ignored him, poured herself a cup of tea, and got back to work.
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Chapter 13
Menu
Armando’s heart sank. He’d sliced up some fruit for her, feeding her bites now and then while kneading her shoulders. He fussed over her in every way he could.
If it were in the past, Jovana would have forgiven him right away.
But now, she was too deeply hurt to forgive him.
“Alright. She pushed his hand away, her tone calm. “I’m not mad anymore. Get back to work…”
Armando’s heart sank further. He wrapped his arms around her from behind and rested his chin on her shoulder intimately.
His voice sounded a little pitiful.
“Honey, don’t shut me out.”
Jovana closed her eyes, really not in the mood to deal with him. She turned her head and gave his cheek a perfunctory kiss.
‘I’m fine, really. Get back to work.”
Armando touched her cheek.
“I said I’d spend today with you. You work, I’ll help out.” He was insistent.
Jovana didn’t say anything else.
But the sight of them working together made her think of the startup days.
Back then, they had no money. Armando refused to ask his family for help. In their toughest times, they’d split a five–dollar piece of pasta.
He ate the split food with red eyes and said, “I’ll never let you suffer again…”
Jovana blinked her sore eyes, keeping working.
Then his phone rang in the office.
