Chapter 29
“So, Nash, tell me why I shouldn’t dock your bonus p>
Dorothea didn’t wait for an answer. She turned on her heel and marched straight back to her office. She couldn’t stand people who played dirty behind the scenes. Nash was just a deputy director. If he wasn’t cutting it, she’d replace him, simple as that.
After that little showdown, Dorothea noticed something funny. The people who were supposed to be out on leave were suddenly back at their desks, and even the three who’d gone out for fieldwork had returned to the office.
She let a small smile curl at her lips and clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention.
“Hey, everyone. I’m really happy to be part of this team. I just sent a little something in the group chat-think of it as afternoon tea on me. Go ahead and grab it p>
Everyone looked a little stunned. It was like getting scolded and then immediately handed a candy. The warning hadn’t really landed on them, but they still got to enjoy the reward.
“Thanks, Dorothea! I got fifty-five p>
“I got a hundred p>
“I grabbed one-ninety! That’ll cover my breakfast for a week. Thanks, Dorothea p>
The only one not celebrating was Nash, whose face was so dark it looked like he’d swallowed charcoal.
Five o’clock hit, and Dorothea left work right on time. She had just gotten into her car when she saw Nash hurrying after her, looking pretty defeated.
“Dorothea, I messed up today. Please don’t hold it against me p>
She rolled down the window and nodded. “Alright, I got your apology. But Nash, let’s keep things professional. Try to make up for it next month. Earn back what you lost this month p>
She put the car in drive and pulled out of the lot.
She was meeting Latham to shop for matching rings. She checked his location and headed over. When she got to the store, she found a whole row of rings already laid out on the glass counter, waiting for her to choose.
“So, which one catches your eye p>
Dorothea glanced over the options and finally pointed to a simple ring with a single diamond. It was understated, but still elegant. “This one p>
Latham’s eyes softened with a hint of a smile. “Alright, let’s do it.” He handed over his card, then slipped one of the rings onto his own left ring finger. Picking up the other I up the other, he
looked at her. “Want to wear yours now p>
Dorothea smiled. “Sure, let’s put them on p>
She couldn’t help but wonder for a split second if Latham’s boyfriend would get jealous seeing him wear a matching ring with her. Not that it was her problem.
The whole process took less than ten minutes from start to finish.
“Let’s go. My car’s on B2,” Latham said.
Dorothea pressed the elevator button. “Mine’s on B1. We’ll go separately p>
Latham looked at her, his gaze lingering, a little amused and a little mysterious. “Alright p>
Across from the elevator, about twenty meters away, Carola was walking arm-in-arm with Albert.
“Albert, the outdoor store is over here p>
Albert squinted. He thought he saw a familiar silhouette, a woman with long hair. For a second, he thought it might be Dorothea, but by the time heathed to look again she wa
already in the elevator.
“Albert, should we wear matching outfits when we go camping?” Carola asked.
He snapped out of it, nodding distractedly. “Sure, whatever you want p>
Suddenly, he smiled. “Carola, let’s find a chance to invite Dorothea to join us that day. Didn’t she give you a hard time before? I’ll get back at her for you. How does that sound?
Carola’s eyes lit up, but then she caught herself and tried to look a little less excited. She bit her lip. “Albert, is that really okay p>
Albert’s gaze grew thoughtful. He reached out and gently ruffled her hair. “It’s fine. She started it, didn’t she p>
Dorothea blocked him, huh? He was curious to see where she got the guts to do that.