The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 66

Once they were seated at the restaurant, Oliver ordered a few light dishes for Suzie before finally addressing the incident from earlier. “Was that girl’s name Josie?”

Suzie shook her head, a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. “She doesn’t look familiar. I’ve only just gotten to know the few people around my workstation. What’s wrong, Oliver?”

As he poured her a glass of water, Oliver explained, “It’s nothing major. I just came by today to see how you were settling in. As I was walking down the hall, I happened to overhear a conversation in the stairwell. Someone was telling that Josie to trip you up, though I didn’t catch the specifics. I tried to see who else was in there, but Josie came out alone, and when I checked, the stairwell was empty.”

Suzie’s brow furrowed. Someone she didn’t even know wanted to go after her? But why? It was her first day; she hadn’t offended anyone.

Then, a thought struck her. She remembered the look on the girl’s face after Oliver had spoken to her.

“Oliver, what did you say to her? To Josie?”

“I told her to apologize to you after work and name the person who put her up to it,” Oliver said, his expression turning serious, a cold glint in his eyes. “Otherwise, I’d make sure she never found work in this field again.”

Suzie nodded slowly, finally understanding the girl's terrified expression. Still, she wondered, if someone was directing Josie, it was likely she was being threatened herself, unless they were very close friends.

Oliver smiled and nodded. “I put it together, but none of it was fabricated. All the achievements listed in there are real, one hundred percent authentic. And listen, if Lexi gives you any more trouble, you tell me or Harrison immediately.”

“Oliver, I’m here to work,” Suzie teased. “You’re making me feel like I’m back in school with a guardian watching over me.”

Seeing her spirit return, Oliver felt a wave of relief. When Harrison had returned from his trip, Oliver had gone to pick him up, hoping to arrange a meeting with Suzie that afternoon. But she hadn't answered his calls and had only sent a brief text saying she wasn't feeling well and would see them in a few days. He had rushed to Stella’s house to find her looking utterly devastated, as if she had suffered a terrible blow, but she wouldn't say a word about what happened. Seeing her so withdrawn had worried him deeply, so watching her laugh and joke now was a great comfort.

His expression grew serious again. “Suzie, you’re pregnant, and you need to be careful. If anyone tries to manipulate or bully you, don't get angry and don't get into a direct confrontation. The moment something happens, you tell me or Harrison. Do you understand?”