Elisa and Bella settled into the car together. Bella gracefully occupied the passenger seat while Elisa and Gareth took the back seats. The vehicle glided smoothly, making its way toward the Wickam's Manor.
Gareth noticed Elisa engrossed in her phone and gently snatched it from her grip. "Aren't you afraid of getting carsick?" he asked with concern.
Elisa shot him a displeased look, extending her hand expectantly to reclaim her phone. "Give it back to me. I have something important to attend to."
Refusing to budge, Gareth held the phone playfully, daring her to retrieve it from him. "Just a few of your employees are leaving. Is it really such a big deal to you, Ms. Benett?"
Elisa's brow furrowed at the mention of the incident. Meanwhile, Bella, seated in the front passenger seat, turned to face Gareth, intrigued. "Gareth, do you know who's behind it?"
Gareth met Elisa's gaze before replying, "Not only do I know, but I'm certain you do as well, Ms. Benett."
Bella looked curiously at Elisa, wondering why she hadn't shared this information.
Elisa sighed inwardly, realizing that evasion wouldn't work in this situation. She admitted, "Yes, I took action as soon as the incident occurred and found out who was responsible."
Bella's eyes lit up, eager to know the culprit. "Who is it?"
Gareth decided to add a hint of intrigue to the conversation. "Why don't you take a guess?"
Bella racked her brain but couldn't come up with a plausible answer. While Rochelle had held a grudge against her, she had already left the company and seemed unlikely to cause trouble now.
The only other person related to Rochelle was Paul, but would he resort to such tactics for a personal vendetta? It seemed unlikely, given his position within the company.
Shaking her head, Bella gave in, "I can't guess."
Bella's expression soured as the reality of the situation set in. "So, they intended to deceive us from the start? I was just a pawn for them to get closer to the company, wasn't I? I feel so foolish."
Regret overwhelmed Bella as she berated herself for not seeing through their deception.
Elisa intervened with comforting words, "It's not your fault. No one could have predicted their true motives. People's intentions are often difficult to decipher."
Overwhelmed by emotions, Bella questioned, "What should I do now?"
Elisa assured her, "Act as if you don't know anything. Continue with the negotiations and finalize the contract. But pay close attention while reviewing the terms. Refrain from impulsive decisions or attempting to make amends. Remember, this is not your fault."
Bella's cheeks flushed with gratitude. She couldn't hide anything from Elisa's insightful understanding. Nodding in agreement, she resolved to follow Elisa's guidance, though her mind remained preoccupied throughout the journey.
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