Countdown to My Divorce

Chapter 9

William’s gaze fell on the necklace on Samantha’s neck, and his eyes grew cold for a moment.

“I don’t know him,” he said.

Samantha’s face tightened, clearly upset.

Rachel caught the subtle changes in both their expressions, and a small laugh escaped her.

“Funny, just earlier, Ms. Judd said she’d introduce us to her boyfriend. How about next week?”

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William’s gaze darkened, and before Samantha could speak, he cut in, “Other people’s boyfriends aren’t our concern. By the way, she’s new here. If she needs help, you can show her the ropes. Also, the data for the Oasis Project needs to be checked. Take a look at it for her.”

Rachel could barely hold back a laugh. He wasn’t giving her the project to manage, but now he wanted her to help Samantha look good in front of the team. How did he even have the nerve to say that out loud?

She swallowed her frustration, replying, “I have other work to do.

Samantha nervously bit her lip, glancing at Rachel before speaking in a soft voice: “William, please don’t make Rachel do it. It’s my fault that I can’t even handle something this simple.”

“It’s alright. You’ll get the hang of it. Rachel is very capable. If you follow her, you’ll learn a lot,” William replied, his voice calm and encouraging.

To anyone else, it would have sounded like a regular compliment. But Rachel knew better.

William never tolerated mistakes at work. If anyone messed up, they were out–no excuses. But with Samantha? He was incredibly patient, even going so far as to hand her off to Rachel for help.

Samantha lifted her eyes to look at Rachel.

“Rachel, is that okay?” she asked, her voice soft and uncertain.

Rachel shrugged. “Whatever Mr. Lewis says.”

William gave Rachel’s shoulder a small pat, his gaze full of quiet approval. “Show her the ropes. It’ll be good for you to have another pair of hands to help out.”

Rachel forced a tight smile.

make Samantha her assistant, or was she being groomed to replace

shook off the thought, focusing on Samantha who was standing there,

the data you worked

“Okay, Rachel.”

the data before following Rachel into her office. Rachel’s desk was buried under piles of paperwork; she couldn’t help but tiredly

data in front of Rachel, who scanned it quickly.

long fingers pointed to a number on the third line. “If the project starts based on your numbers, the company is going

the numbers with a panicked expression. “I’m so sorry, Rachel. I might have made a mistake because

heard from William that Rachel could read lips, so there was no real need to sign.

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Chapter 9

courtesy–nothing more.

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cold as she said, “Ms. Judd, this is work. Your personal matters have nothing to

direct, but Samantha acted like she had been terribly wronged. Her eyes were red–rimmed, and she looked

don’t be mad. I’ll fix it right now. If there’s anything else wrong,

waste on Samantha’s mistakes. But still, she took a closer look, marking every mistake with the data. Minutes passed, and soon,

to meet Samantha’s. Did you actually check the

was no way it could be this wrong.

tensed up even more. Her hands fidgeted nervously as she

I heard you could pull the data directly

couldn’t believe what she was

to know that data changes. Even yesterday’s numbers

turned red

redo it right now,” she

is on a tight schedule,” Rachel reminded, trying to stay calm. “Since

was trying her best to keep her temper in check. If Samantha had been professional and responsible, Rachel would have had no issue. But the fact that Samantha couldn’t get something

If Samantha was this careless, Rachel couldn’t

didn’t know about Samantha’s abilities. He was fully aware, yet he still pushed forward, and that was what disgusted her the

everything. I want it before lunch,” Rachel

Samantha, eyes red, grabbed the file and left the

walked through the office, their colleagues couldn’t help but gossip