Chapter 5: The costly procedure.
Panic bled the color from Olivia’s face, her legs scraping back on the floor. "Mr. Reid! I-I..." she stammered. "It’s not what it looks like. It’s her..." She pointed her finger at Bella instantly. "She’s the troublemaker! She bullied me!"
Theodore, however, ignored her. He strode purposefully towards Bella, his gaze softening as he reached out to examine her reddened hands. Blisters marred her skin. His touch was gentle, and his tone was even gentler. "Does it hurt?"
Bella stared at him with surprise, momentarily forgetting the throbbing pain in her hands. This man didn’t seem as cold and heartless as the rumors said.
Theodore turned to Olivia, his eyes growing razor-sharp. "I wasn’t aware the employees here resorted to such dangerous tactics."
Olivia, flustered and desperate, sputtered out a defense. "No, no, I didn’t. S-She was talking behind my back, bad things! I just got mad. I didn’t mean to hurt her. It was an accident, I swear!" Her voice rose in a frantic plea.
Theodore’s expression remained unyielding. "Your actions, coupled with blatant lies – I would have fired you if you were in my company," He roared. He had zero tolerance for manipulation.
Just then, Zack, alerted by the commotion, arrived on the scene. "Mr. Reid, I thought you left already." he inquired, confusion etched on his face. "Is there a problem here?"
His surprised gaze darted between a tearful Olivia and Bella, whose hands were cradled protectively by Theodore.
Without missing a beat, Theodore nodded in Olivia’s direction "She bullied her."
Zack’s eyes widened in disbelief, a frown forming on his brow. He had never expected such behavior from Olivia. Then he noticed the blisters on Bella’s hands. The color of his face drained. He lunged forward, his hands instinctively wrapping around Bella’s, worry etching deep lines on his forehead.
Theodore watched the exchange, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. The unexpected display of protectiveness from Zack caught him off guard.
"Olivia! Did you do this to her?" Zack rumbled with barely contained anger. "If you did, I swear I’ll make you regret it!"