What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 21

Noelle was in the middle of a business discussion with her team when she noticed Renee Wallace. She frowned.

"Mr. Sanders wants to fire me just because I gossiped about Dr. Chavez and their daughter in the breakroom this morning. I didn't mean any harm, I just spoke without thinking..."

Noelle's expression was freezing cold. In front of her subordinates, she said, "Renee, haven't I warned you before to watch what you say in the office? Did you not listen?"

"I..." Renee immediately stiffened.

"Since it's Mr. Sanders's decision, I can't help you. You should know that a child is a parent's most precious treasure. You brought this upon yourself the moment you decided to gossip about his daughter." With that stern dismissal, Noelle waved her hand. "Get out."

Renee slumped to the floor, feeling an indescribable suffocation.

She had eavesdropped on a few of Noelle's phone calls with friends and, thinking she had figured out Noelle's true feelings, assumed she'd be rewarded for spreading rumors that made Kaia look bad. Now, her plan had backfired spectacularly, and Noelle was leaving her out to dry.

Noelle's ruthless management style made the rest of her subordinates sit up a little straighter.

Renee had it coming, they thought. Dr. Lawrence was strictly professional. Why would she break company rules for an employee like her?

Renee felt a wave of intense awkwardness and regret. She had tried to kiss up to the boss and completely humiliated herself instead.

In the end, she had no choice but to slink away.

Around three in the afternoon, Kaia Chavez was at her computer reviewing the data for Project Stargazer Phase III when a commotion broke out near the entrance.

Kaia stood up and walked to the door just as her assistant, Laura, rushed over. "Dr. Chavez, I think something happened over at the formulation lab."

"Let's go take a look..."

Kaia and Laura hurried down the hall.

Along the way, they heard people whispering.

"I heard Dr. Lawrence suddenly collapsed."

"Ugh, her husband just passed away and she's being forced to come to work. The poor thing."

His eyes were frantic, filled with a raw, agonizing desperation. While waiting for the elevator doors to close, he looked down at the unconscious woman in his arms.

That raw, instinctual display of protectiveness and panic rooted Kaia to the spot. She couldn't take a single step.

It all happened in a matter of seconds.

As the elevator doors sealed shut and began to descend, countless pairs of eyes turned in unison to look at Kaia, who was standing frozen in the middle of the hallway.

Kaia stood there for a moment before turning around and calmly walking back to her office.

She sat at her desk. The data on the screen that had been crystal clear just moments ago was now just a blur.

The looks of pity, mockery, and curiosity from the crowd outside felt like thousands of tiny needles pricking her skin.

She closed her eyes, trying to force herself to calm down.

But the image of Finnian desperately carrying Noelle away refused to leave her mind.