Family on Their Knees Heart Turned to Ice novel Chapter 978

Bella tucked the invitation safely away, a sinister smile creeping across her face.

Who should she make miserable today?

Before she could even decide on a target, her phone buzzed.

It was the HR Manager from the Blake Group. Bella knew exactly what this call was about.

Instead of ignoring it, she answered right away.

She kept her tone brief, coldly stating she had no intention of resigning and expected the company to adhere strictly to her employment contract.

If they didn't like it, she had weeks of accumulated PTO and unused honeymoon leave she fully intended to burn through.

Backed into a corner, HR had no choice but to demand she come into the office to physically sign the leave request forms.

Bella loathed the idea of stepping foot inside the Blake Group. She desperately wanted to see Sebastian, but returning meant subjecting herself to the venomous whispers of the staff.

Just thinking about it made her skin crawl.

But if she didn't show up and didn't have approved leave forms, her unexplained absence could be used as legal grounds to fire her.

In the past, when Sebastian protected her, taking time off just meant shooting a quick text. The rules hadn't applied to her.

Now, Sebastian was hunting for an excuse to kick her to the curb. She had to play it safe.

Despite the knot of anxiety in her stomach, she had no choice but to head to the office.

Before leaving, Bella texted Hannah to let her know she was coming.

Hannah, of course, wasted no time. She ensured the news of Bella's arrival "accidentally" leaked to the employees who hated Bella the most.

Up in the executive suite, Sebastian's expression was thunderous. "I said get rid of her! I don't give a damn about the employment contract. Pay whatever severance it takes and throw her out.

"The Project Department is already interviewing someone ten times more qualified to be the Vice Manager. Do I need to spell this out for you?"

Bella knew exactly who the comments were aimed at.

She clenched her jaw, determined to just sign the damn forms and leave.

But the snickering continued. Bella was boiling over, but she knew Sebastian was sitting right in his office. If she caused a scene, he would hear it.

If he came out and publicly sided against her, the humiliation would be unbearable. So, she swallowed her pride and kept walking.

She marched straight into the HR department and demanded her leave forms.

Instead, Madeline walked out of her office and slid a termination letter across the desk.

"I'm incredibly sorry, Miss Ward. I just received direct orders from Mr. Blake. My hands are tied.

"You know how it is. We can't defy Mr. Blake.

"You're a brilliant executive. Even outside the Blake Group, the industry is vast. You'll have no trouble finding a place to shine."