Chapter 43: Hidden feelings for Aubrey.
The sharp crack of the slap echoed through the room, the impact so fierce that Charles’s ear immediately began to ring.
A piercing, bell-like sound filled his head, drowning out everything else.
For several moments, the world around him blurred into silence, his mind struggling to process what had just happened.
And just in that moment of utter bewilderment, a distant footstep approached.
The distant steps belonged to a young, handsome man, his presence commanding attention before he had even stepped inside the designers departmental room.
The footsteps of the young man echoed through the room, each step carrying an undeniable aura of authority.
It was the kind of presence that demanded attention without a single word, compelling every gaze to shift toward him.
The young man wore long black trousers, tailored to perfection, and a crisp white long-sleeved shirt, neatly ironed and tucked flawlessly beneath his waistband.
On the young man’s wrist rested an expensive Rolex, its polished surface catching the light with every subtle movement.
His feet were clad in custom-made black shoes, crafted to perfection, complementing his sophisticated appearance.
The amber eyes of the young man radiated authority, their piercing gaze alone enough to command respect.
His neatly trimmed black crew-cut hair was arranged with precision, not a strand out of place.
Even from a distance, the scent of his cologne lingered in the air—rich, refined, and unmistakably unique.
It was the kind of fragrance that hinted at exclusivity, as if it had been crafted just for him, adding to the undeniable presence he carried into the room.
"Good afternoon CEO Augustine," the entire workers present all bow their heads slightly as they greet Augustine in respect.
He gave a slight nod, ignoring their greetings as his cold gaze remained fixed on Aubrey, Charles, and the young lady beside him.
As he approached, he slid his right hand deep into his trouser pocket, his brows slightly arched. "What the hell is going on?" he questioned, his voice demanding an answer.
Augustine’s piercing gaze remained locked on Charles and Freda, making it clear that the question was meant for them.
Freda drew in a deep breath, steadying herself before exhaling slowly.
She could feel the weight of Augustine’s intense gaze pressing down on her, demanding an explanation. "My colleague and I accidentally bumped into Miss Aubrey, which resulted in her becoming furious with us." Freda explained.
Her explanation rolled off her tongue smoothly, her fingers curled slightly at her sides as she recalled the heated exchange.
Though Freda doesn’t feel the need to get into full detail about what had transpired, because deep down, she knew that her own story would be different from that of Aubrey.
Hearing the words of Freda, Augustine averted his gaze over to Aubrey, his brows still arched upwards.
Augustine remained silent, but his piercing gaze alone made Aubrey realize he expected her to explain herself.
Aubrey pouted her lips, crossed her arms over her chest, fluttered her eyelashes and her gaze became soft as she locked eyes with Augustine.
"Your cleaners have no respect, and they need to be fired," she spat coldly, her voice laced with disdain.
She let out a dramatic sigh before continuing. "They both bumped into me, and before I could even get a word out, they started hurling insults—almost like they had been waiting for the perfect opportunity to do so."
Aubrey words were a well-crafted lie that sounded too true, and with her lips pouted, she seemed so innocent in the eyes.
She had twisted the story, skillfully painting herself as the one who had been wronged.
The designer team workers, along with Charles and Freda, were stunned by Aubrey’s blatant lie.
Augustine draws in a long deep breath. "What are your names?" He inquired, his question directed at Charles and Freda.
Charles felt a sting in his heart but forced himself to respond to Augustine’s question. "My name is Charles Donald," he mumbled, his voice barely a whisper.
"And I’m Freda Logan," Freda added, her tone steady as she spoke up.
Augustine gave a brief nod, his lips barely parting as he whispered, "Alright then."
He took a slow, deliberate sweep of the room, his cold gaze landing on the designer team, who had all been staring at him in stunned silence.
"Why are you all just staring at me?" He questioned with seethed rage. "Focus on your work this instant!"
At once, the entire team stiffened, their chairs creaking as they hastily turned back to their desks, immersing themselves in their tasks, clearly aware of the consequences of even a moment’s hesitation.
With a shake of his head, Augustine turned away, his disappointment clear in the sharp movements of his body.
"For disrupting the peace and quiet of my company, you three will submit a formal apology to me by tomorrow noon or face termination from your positions," Augustine stated, his tone cold and authoritative.
A smirk played on Aubrey’s lips as she challenged Augustine. "I don’t work for this company, so why would I write an apology to you?" she asked with a haughty arrogance
"If you don’t write an apology letter, then you’ll be banned from setting foot in any of my company’s buildings," Augustine warned, his voice low and glacial. "This is a place of business, and I won’t tolerate noise from anyone. Not even my close friends."
His words were firm, leaving no room for negotiation.
With his statement hanging in the air, Augustine turned and took a few steps away before halting. "You three are dismissed," he stated, his voice cold and final. "If I don’t see any apology letter by noon tomorrow, don’t bother stepping foot in any building owned by me."
Charles stood frozen, his eyes locked on Augustine’s retreating figure, his mind racing with questions.
’Why is Augustine protecting Aubrey?’ he wondered, a knot tightening in his stomach. ’Is Augustine blind to the humiliation I’ve suffered from the hands of Aubrey?’
The thoughts swirled in his head, each one more unsettling than the last. ’Or could it be that Augustine has a hidden feeling for her?’