“N. . . nothing,” Olivia stammered.
“If you had a question regarding Ms. Talwar’s qualifications, then you should have asked. I’m not saying you deserve an answer, but it would have been better than gossiping about her. It certainly wouldhave been a damn sight better than leaving her stranded in a storage room.”
“I. . . I. . .”
“One would think that’s all you’ve been up to, but you’ve been actively sabotaging Ms. Talwar’s work, haven’t you?”
Vera felt the hair on her forearms rise at this revelation.
“Did you forget there are cameras on every stairwell, and that you could be caught standing outside the storage room while someone was yelling from within? Did you not think I would look into the origin of each one of the errors that came to my desk, especially when it pertains to a project I am involved in? It was easy enough to get IT to sweep for every file and check the log for changes. You left quite the trail, Ms. Singh. How clumsy. I wouldn’t suggest a career in crime though you seem to be failing spectacularly at your current profession as well.”
Olivia’s cheeks reddened at the insult.
“Sorry, sir.”
“You’re only sorry you got caught. Perhaps you forgot in your zeal to ruin Ms. Talwar’s credibility that you were using company time and resources in a way that is detrimental to Ethos,” Vihaan icily pointed out.
It seemed to finally dawn on Olivia how deeply she’d fucked up because her mouth dropped open in a soundless plea, her eyes blinking rapidly as panic set in.
“Who do you report to?” he asked, making it clear that he expected an answer despite knowing it himself.
Olivia’s voice was barely a decibel above a whisper.
“Vera.”
“That makes her your boss. Your behaviour towards your direct supervisor and your team member has been less than exemplary. Worse, you put her safety in jeopardy. You’re fired.”
“You can’t!” she cried.
He raised a haughty brow, wordlessly taunting her.Can’t I?
“Do you want to press charges against this woman? There is enough reason to file a police complaint.”
Vera shook her head, still refusing to look at him.
“Wait, Mr. Oberoi. Please. Vera, tell him. Do something,” Olivia pleaded, reaching out towards her when Vihaan stepped forward, physically dividing the two women. He glared at Olivia’s extended hand like it had personally offended him.
“I have a business to run, and the quality of my employees is something I take seriously. See yourself out the door. If I find you on the premises again, you’ll be charged with trespassing,” he informed her, barrelling over her attempt to speak. “My patience is at an end, Ms. Singh. Do not provoke me into doing something that will leave you picking up pieces of your life for the next fifty years.”
Without sparing her another glance, he spun on his heels, coming face to face with Vera.
“You,” he huffed, tipping his chin towards her. “In my office. Now,” he barked, when she didn’t move fast enough for his liking.
Vera followed a visibly agitated Vihaan back to his cabin, standing across his desk while he seated himself and glared at her. “Did you know Olivia had ill intentions towards you?”
Her fingers clamped over the handle of the mug she held, letting it form an anchor for all her emotions. She would not break down in tears in front of him, not when he could use that against her. “She didn’t like me. I didn’t think she’d do this.”
“All the errors I have been finding in your. . .her work—did you know that she wasn’t performing as she should have been?”
“She’s had issues adjusting to my leadership.”
“Why did you put up with her horrible behaviour?” he demanded, an angry palm slamming on his desk. “Find someone to take over her work. Or—”
“Let me guess,” she interrupted, her tone laden with sarcasm. “Or, all her tasks will be reassigned to my position to increase my workload, right? Maybe you think that little scene outside is yoursafeguard in case I complain against you. No one will believe me because you’re thegoodboss who took a stand for his employee. Do your worst. I still won’t quit.”
He looked stunned for a moment, his features twisting as rage returned.
“You’re so fucking annoying. I meant one of the juniors on your team, not you. You breathe fire every time you talk to me, so why the hell didn’t you stand up for yourself in front of that bitch?”