The Billionaire's Mistake

MISTAKE 242

Chapter 242: A plot

Hazel strode back to the office to her desk, her face still flushed and lips pressed into a thin line. The vicious gossip she'd overheard in the bathroom had lit a fire within her. As she sat down at her desk, awards and accomplishments covering the walls around her, Hazel found herself pondering darkly on how to deal with this situation.

She didn't have long to think before her editor, Mrs. Levi, stuck her head through the door." Hazel, can you come to my office for a moment? Bring your current project files."

With a sigh, Hazel gathered up the stack of papers and followed Mrs. Levi down the hall. When she entered the small office, she was dismayed to see her office rival, Lucy Gruiel, already seated smugly before Mrs. Levi's desk.

"Have a seat, Hazel," Mrs. Levi said in a no-nonsense tone, gesturing to the empty chair. Once Hazel had settled in, Mrs. Levi fixed her with a stern look. "I've been instructed to reassign. your current workload to Lucy, effective immediately."

Hazel's mouth dropped open in shock. "W-What? But I'm almost done with the Kingsley exposé! You can't just hand that off to someone else."

"I'm afraid I can," Mrs. Levi replied flatly. "This comes direct from the top. You are being reassigned to Mr. Reeds' team. He needs you to join his team for an important assignment this evening."

The hairs on the back of Hazel's neck stood up as the rumor from the bathroom came flooding back. This had to be what those gossiping girls were talking about; some shady "assignment" that Mr. Reeds wanted her for.

Hazel shook her head vehemently. "No, absolutely not. I'm not just handing over my work to Lucy." She shot a disdainful glare at her smirking colleague. "And I refuse to go on any assignment' with Mr. Reed." Mrs. Levi's expression turned stony. "I'm afraid you don't have a choice, Hazel. This is an order directly from the top. I heard Mr Reeds specifically requested you for this..."

"For what, exactly?" Hazel challenged, leaning forward. "So he can peddle me off to some rich investor? Use me as a prop for whatever sick fantasies he's into? Mrs. Levi are you saying you do not know the rumors about him?"

Mrs. Levi looked taken aback for a moment before recovering. "Don't be ridiculous, Hazel. Whatever concerns you may have, I can assure you this is strictly professional. Besides, you can't accuse someone without evidence!" "Evidence? The entire office knows. Are you all going to gather and mock me after I have come back too? Is this how this company does business?"

slammed her palm on the desk, cutting-Hazel' off. She

you're instructed or I'll have you dismissed on

in her ears as her eyes flicked over to Lucy, who was watching the exchange with undisguised glee.

"I need your project files handed over to Lucy right

at her in victory, Hazel could have slapped the look right off the other woman's smug face. "And Mr. Reed's team will inform you

frustration had reached a new

with a cold smile. She rose abruptly from her chair. "If you'll excuse me, I

of the office, fists clenched at her sides. First, she needed to find out exactly who those gossiping harpies

to identify those gossiping harpies from the bathroom. Hazel marched to the security room and flashed her press badge. "I need footage from the third floor

her suspiciously. "We can't

ma'am."

see who those girls were!" Hazel pleaded. "They were there when I lost it, maybe they picked it up for me

head. "Still need proper authorization for that. Company

If I don't or get it, I am as good as fired. I'm afraid someone might have picked it up. That's why I need the footage,

at the lie. "All right, let me check that timeframe." He pulled up the video

restroom.

just need to get their faces so

I can follow up. Please, I'm

video file. "Fine, but this is a one-time thing, understand? Any

of course," Hazel agreed quickly, thanking him profusely as she

rumor-mongers by name. But Hazel had another motive too - to beg and plead her way