Bound by the Past, Locked by the Heart novel Chapter 95

"We got complaints about the Heritage Brand series. They're claiming it's interfering with major development projects."

"Upper management wanted to fire you on the spot, but I went to bat for you. Treat this reassignment to the admin department as a paid vacation. Once this blows over, I'll bring you back."

Willa nodded, taking a deep breath. "Understood. I'll comply with the transfer."

She took the paperwork and was about to turn around when Miles drawled out again.

"Hey, what's the rush?"

Willa looked up. "Yes, Mr. Zane?"

"What exactly is going on between you and Randal?" Miles leaned forward, entirely eager for the gossip. "I asked him, but he wouldn't crack. Since I just saved your job, throw me a bone?"

Willa's face heated up, and she looked away. "We're... just friends."

"Just friends?" Miles gasped. "Don't tell me you two just sat around talking last night. Does he actually have some kind of hidden dysfunction?"

He stroked his chin, muttering to himself, "I guess it's possible. That car crash was brutal, and he was bedridden for a long time."

Willa lowered her head in sheer embarrassment, keeping quiet.

Taking her silence as confirmation, Miles decided not to press the issue any further.

"Alright, you can head out. I've already talked to the admin team; nobody there will give you a hard time."

Willa packed up her personal items from her desk, swung by Iris's office to say goodbye, and reported to the administrative department.

When her shift ended that evening, Randal's car rolled to a stop right in front of the office building.

"Get in."

Willa stopped dead in her tracks, refusing to move.

Seeing her reluctance, Randal threw his door open, stepping out and closing the distance between them.

"What's the matter? You sleep with me last night, and suddenly you don't know me today?"

"Why are you here?" Willa asked quietly.

"To pick you up. Let's go," he stated matter-of-factly, reaching out to take her bag.

Annoyed, Willa snapped, "Randal, could you stop doing this every single time—"

"Weren't you the one who begged me?"

Randal's blunt question lodged the rest of her complaints squarely in her throat, forcing her to swallow them down.

From the moment she pleaded for his help, she had surrendered every right to defy him.

She was forced to become the very type of woman she despised most.

Accepting this new twisted dynamic, Willa ceased her pointless struggling.

"Silas Zeller is still keeping tabs on you. I'm not comfortable with you staying at your old place," Randal explained, his tone softening considerably. "This apartment is close to your office; the commute is much easier."

Willa kept her eyes downcast, offering no further resistance.

A heavy silence fell over the car, save for their muffled breathing. She sat as still and lifeless as a mannequin.

Randal gently brushed a stray hair from her forehead, letting out a soft sigh. "If only you'd always stay by my side this obediently. How perfect would that be?"