Chased by my Ex Husband novel Chapter 21

Grace

I grit my jaw, barely controlling the rage that makes my blood boil. “ Maybe you know people that do things like that, Mr. Costello, but I am not like them. Please refrain from verbal harassment. ”

“ Verbal harassment? ” He snarls, shooting up from his seat.

I clench my hands into fists, standing my ground. “ Yes, Mr. Costello. It’s verbal harassment. You are saying things that are making me uncomfortable. ”

He rounds the table with a speed that makes me take a step back.

“ You think you are all that just because you slept with a higher-up, huh? ” He sneers, closing the distance between us. “ but you are just one of their adventures. They don’t give a fuck what happens with you down here as long as they have paid you by getting you this job. ”

“ Why do you assume that I got this job because of a vulgar reason like that? ” My eyes narrow on him.

He sizes me up, from head to toe, his gaze leering. Uncomfortably, I shift my weight from one foot to another.

Suddenly, he grabs my upper arm and drags me to the glass wall to our right. I gasp, struggling to free myself.

“ Mr. Costello. Take your hands off me! ”

“ Look. ” He hisses, pointing a finger towards the others working on their desks.

I free my arm and take a step away from him before following his gaze.

“ They are all high achievers. They have graduated from the best colleges in the fucking world and have done internships in one of the three big companies. They have talent, experience, and awards. Some of them have won national and international competitions and designed buildings that are appreciated internationally. What credentials do you have? ” He rants, his voice loud and shrieky.

My palms sweat as I stare at the efficient people, working tirelessly on their spots. A pang hits my heart, making me press my quivering lips together.

If Lily hadn’t taken everything from me, if Mom and Dad had allowed me to attend the college I was accepted into…if I was not used to doing everything they wanted from me…

I would have impressive credentials just like the people working on this floor—a floor that is just beneath the CEO’s office, a floor where the most talented and cherished people of this corporation work day and night to make things happen.

“ What do you have? ” Mr. Costello scoffs sarcastically. “ Your body? And a beautiful face? That’s it?! ”

“ I can…prove myself. ” I whisper. Even if I don’t have the credentials, I believe I have talent. Tristin believes so too.

“ How? Do you want me to let you work on a project? ” He chuckles, walking back to his table.

“ Yes. ” I state hesitantly and turn to face him. “ Give me a chance, Mr. Costello, and I will prove that I am not a useless addition here. ”

“ You can ask your higher-up to force me to do that for you. That way I will know who is your connection. ” He grins, his teeth showing.

I sigh. This is all a joke to him.

“ I will not ask anyone to do anything for me. I will prove to you that I am capable. ” I insist, running my hands down my skirt.

I don’t know why I am reasoning with a man like that. It’s all so stupid.

But…I have to find my footing. I can’t keep relying on Tristin for everything.

“ Capable? ” He rolls his eyes and snatches the paper from the table. “ Go in the kitchen and make coffee for everyone. That’s what you are good for. ”

Surprised, I stand there for some time. Is this a sarcastic remark or an order?

“ What the fuck are you searching on my face?! Go do what I asked you to do. ” He snaps loudly, sending me scurrying towards the door.

I release a breath on my way out and walk back to the blonde girl. This time, she picks up her head.

“ Are you leaving? ” She asks.

Her eyes drip with disdain for me just like Mr. Costello. So all these people think I got here by jumping the ladder and they hate for me for it?