When She Ended It With Divorce (Chiara and Titus) novel Chapter 58

**TITLE: Silent Roads Remember by Sawyer**

**Chapter 58**

Noreen maintained a composed demeanor, her expression carefully neutral as she absorbed the revelation of Chiara’s identity. It was no surprise; anyone who ascended to a leadership role was bound to be extraordinary in some way.

“Chiara, here’s your desk. If anything feels amiss, please don’t hesitate to let me know,” Noreen instructed, her tone measured—neither overly friendly nor cold, but strictly professional.

“Thank you, Noreen,” Chiara replied, her smile genuine yet tinged with the nerves of her new role.

“Alright, everyone, let’s get back to work,” Noreen declared, her voice cutting through the low hum of office chatter.

Paul shot a brief glance at Chiara before turning away, the weight of his curiosity evident but unspoken.

Having already spent a few days acclimating to her role as a secretary at the Lynch Group, Chiara felt prepared to dive into her responsibilities. The tasks ahead seemed manageable, a welcome challenge she was ready to tackle.

The woman seated next to her leaned in slightly, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Hi, I’m Queenie. If you need any assistance, just give me a shout,” she offered, her demeanor warm and inviting.

As Chiara noticed the two adorable dimples that appeared on Queenie’s cheeks when she smiled, a wave of comfort washed over her. “Thanks, Queenie,” Chiara replied, returning the smile.

Queenie waved her hand dismissively, still grinning. “Happy to help!”

Chiara scanned her surroundings. The office layout was open, with desks arranged just outside Titus’s door, designed for easy access to the team he relied on. With her addition, the team still consisted of only four members.

Catching Chiara’s eye, Queenie leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “That woman across from you is Lena. If you don’t have to talk to her, try to avoid it.”

Chiara raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Why’s that?”

Queenie leaned in even closer, her tone conspiratorial. “She’s a tough one to get along with. Just give it a day, and you’ll see what I mean.”

At that moment, Lena glanced over, her gaze piercing through the office air. “Queenie, what are you two whispering about during work hours? Don’t lead Chiara astray,” she teased, her tone laced with sarcasm.

Queenie and Chiara exchanged a brief, understanding look, a silent pact formed in that moment.

Unfazed, Queenie replied, “Of course, I’m just showing Chiara the ropes. We’re desk buddies; who else should she ask? Or would you prefer to take on that role?”

Lena’s expression darkened, her eyes lingering on Chiara’s striking features. A fleeting shadow crossed her face, and she scoffed before returning to her work, leaving a chill in the air.

Queenie leaned closer again, her voice a mere whisper. “See what I mean? She’s got a real nasty edge, doesn’t she?”

Chiara simply shook her head, a soft smile playing on her lips. The morning flew by in a blur of activity, her mind racing as she juggled her new responsibilities. Fortunately, Queenie proved to be a steadfast ally, guiding her through the intricacies of the secretarial routine.

Before they knew it, the clock struck noon. Queenie stretched her arms lazily above her head. “Cafeteria time! I hope today’s special is something delicious. Chiara, want to join me for lunch?”

Chiara glanced at the clock, noting the time—it was already 11:30. Lunch was scheduled from 11:30 to 1:30, but Queenie had previously mentioned that someone always needed to stay behind to cover the front desk.

“So, is Lena supposed to cover the desk this time?” Chiara inquired, her tone curious.

“Yep, it’s her turn. Once we’re back, we’ll let her go grab something to eat,” Queenie confirmed.

With that, Chiara stood from her chair, her excitement bubbling as she prepared to step out. Just as she was about to leave, Lena shot her a quick, scrutinizing look.

Chiara hesitated for a brief moment, then nodded slightly. “Lena, we’re heading downstairs for lunch. We’ll switch out with you when we return.”

Lena held her gaze steady, her voice cold as ice. “Save it. I’ll just order my meal.”

Queenie couldn’t suppress a roll of her eyes, quickly grabbing Chiara’s arm and guiding her away. As they stepped into the elevator, Chiara finally voiced her concern. “What’s her deal?”

Queenie looked at her thoughtfully for a moment before whispering, “Whenever Lena has a shift, she never leaves her desk.”

“Why? Does she skip meals or something?” Chiara asked, genuinely puzzled.

“Pretty much. She always orders delivery right to her desk. And believe me, she’s perpetually on a diet,” Queenie replied, her tone light and teasing.

Chiara frowned, trying to process this information. “Isn’t she supposed to switch out with someone?”

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