Chapter 27 A Rose with Thorns
Clara Bennett pressed her lips together, not in the mood to bicker.
She tried to sidestep Stacy Chen, but Stacy lunged forward, blocking her path.
"Don't think I'm clueless about your little tricks!" Stacy snapped, her voice dripping with arrogance. "Clara, you know damn well how you snagged that deal!"
Clara turned, her bright eyes flashing with a rare, icy fury. Normally, she was all soft smiles and patience, but now? She looked like a different person. Even Stacy faltered, stepping back.
"How'd I get it?" Clara said, each word sharp.
"I earned it. I pulled all-nighters for a week, revised that pitch a dozen times until it was perfect.
The CEO liked it, so he signed. You chased it for three months and flopped—that's on you.
Too lazy to look at your own screw-ups, so you blame me for outworking you? "
"Working?" Stacy sneered, doubling down. "Yeah, right—working your way into some guy's bed! You think the director's got your back, so you can do whatever you want?"
"Stacy Chen, watch your mouth!" Clara shot back, her face flushing with anger. "This has nothing to do with the director. I barely spoke to him before that deal was done!"
"Who knows what you're hiding?" Stacy taunted. "Maybe not at the office, but I bet you've had plenty of 'private meetings' after hours!"
"You—"
Clara's cheeks burned as their shouting drew a crowd. A few peacemakers tried to step in, but Stacy wouldn't budge, and Clara wasn't about to swallow that kind of slander. She demanded they hash it out with the director.
Just as the standoff hit a deadlock, Jason Ford rushed over.
"What the hell are you two doing?" Jason barked. "This is a workplace! Take your catfight outside—do your jobs!"
Stacy shot him a venomous glare and stormed off. Clara stood rooted, lips tight, cheeks still pink. Jason waved the onlookers away and pulled her aside.
"Don't stoop to her level," he said, his tone softening. "You know how she is—hotheaded, full of herself. Losing that deal to you? She's just licking her wounds."
"She doesn't get to trash me over it," Clara said flatly.
"Right, right, totally her fault!" Jason said, his eyes narrowing with a sly grin. "Clara, let me apologize for her."
He reached out to pat her shoulder, but Clara snapped back to reality and dodged. Meeting his gaze, a chill crept up her spine.
"No need," she muttered. "I get it—she's pissed about the deal. I won't hold it against her. But tell her if she pulls that crap again, I'm not letting it slide."
"Fair enough!" Jason said, his shifty eyes lingering on her.
She'd always seemed quiet, easy to push around—but standing up to Stacy like that? She was a rose with thorns, sharp and unexpected. That edge lit something in Jason, a itch he couldn't shake.
"It's almost lunch," he said, smiling. "Let me treat you, Clara—call it an apology. Don't say no!"
"No thanks," she replied coolly. "I brought my own food. I'm good."
"What, last night's leftovers?" Jason teased, leaning in with a smirk. "A pretty girl like you shouldn't be stuck with scraps..."
"I like my own cooking," Clara said, locking eyes with him. "Jason, if there's nothing else, I've got work to do. You should head back too—wouldn't want Stacy catching us chatting alone and flipping out again."
"Clara, you really don't want to talk to me?" Jason pressed, shamelessly fishing for more.
When charm didn't work, he switched gears, chuckling softly. "It's not just me for lunch—there's a client."
Clara paused, her gaze wary.
"He's French," Jason said. "I checked—you minored in French in college, right?"
Her eyes flickered, but she didn't answer.
"He was supposed to come tomorrow, but his flight changed," Jason went on. "The translator I booked is out today, so... Clara, could you bail me out here?"
She wanted to say no. Foreign clients were rare at Rainbow Trade Co., and if Jason cared, this one was a big fish. Skipping it could mean losing a goldmine. Plus, Jason was petty—cross him, and he'd make her life hell with extra work or worse.
It'd be at a restaurant, public enough. He wouldn't try anything shady there... right?
"Clara," Jason added, sensing her hesitation, "if this pans out, the commission's yours—solid cut. What do you say?"