Chapter 62: The harsh accusation
Bella’s heart sank. Denial rose in her throat. "What? No..."
Her mind raced, trying to comprehend how the pen drive had ended up there. She knew Olivia must have planted it, but proving that seemed impossible in the face of such blatant deceit.
Meanwhile, Amy reached for her phone. Her fingers flew across the screen, dialing a number sneakily.
"Hello? Bella is in trouble. Olivia accused her of stealing." After hearing something from the other end of the phone, she nodded and said reassuringly, "I understand. I know exactly what I should do. Don’t worry, Mr. Reid, I’ll handle this matter."
Ending the call, she sneaked away.
The accusation hung heavy in the air, a dark cloud threatening to engulf Bella. Coworkers murmured amongst themselves, their expressions ranging from shock to skepticism.
Bella felt their eyes on her, judging and condemning her without knowing the truth. Her hands trembled slightly as she tried to maintain her composure.
"I didn’t steal it," Bella exclaimed, desperate to prove her innocence. "I don’t know how it comes here. I didn’t do anything."
A fresh wave of panic crashed over her. How could she convince them that she had not stolen it when the pen drive, a damning piece of evidence, lay on her desk?
Olivia, seizing the advantage, pressed her attack. "Then how do you explain this, Bella?" she questioned sharply, her accusatory gaze pinning Bella in her place. "I told you about my task, and showed you the very pen drive you now claim to know nothing about. You were jealous of me, weren’t you? I can’t believe you’d stoop to such a level to sabotage me!"