\u201cIt\u2019s Charles,\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n
He answered, his voice suddenly soft and careful.<\/p>\n
\u201cCharles, hey\u2026 yeah. I\u2019m just in a meeting right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
I watched his face closely as he spoke. His expression shifted quickly from nervous to terrified.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? No, I haven\u2019t seen Elizabeth. Well, I\u2026 no\u2026 I didn\u2019t. Look, I can explain!\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/trendflare.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Screenshot-2024-08-29-at-09.00.37-780x470-1-300x181.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Richard suddenly pulled the phone away from his ear, his face drained of all color. He stared at it, then back at me, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did you do, Tessa?\u201d he demanded.<\/p>\n
I raised an eyebrow.<\/p>\n
\u201cMe? I didn\u2019t do anything, Richard. I\u2019ve been right in front of you the entire time. Sounds like your actions are catching up to you.\u201d<\/p>\n
It turns out that karma was quick to act that day. Charles had been trying to reach his wife all afternoon, eager to tell her about his reservations to a new restaurant for them that evening.<\/p>\n
And when she finally picked up, it was during my showdown with Richard. While Elizabeth lied about her whereabouts, Charles had overheard our entire argument. He didn\u2019t need a full explanation: he knew enough to understand what was going on.<\/p>\n
He had been suspecting Elizabeth of having an affair for a long time.<\/p>\n
Charles\u2019 reaction was swift. He ended their friendship on the spot and immediately pulled his investments from Richard\u2019s company. Without those funds, I could see Richard\u2019s life quickly spiraling away into bankruptcy.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, I got an unexpected call from Charles later that week.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll be back at the office tomorrow,\u201d he said. \u201cLet\u2019s meet in my office after lunch.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you for your discretion,\u201d he said, though we both knew I hadn\u2019t been discreet at all.<\/p>\n
But I did manage to get a photo of Richard and Elizabeth before Richard saw me. And after his confrontation, I sent that photo to Charles and my husband.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d like to offer you a promotion,\u201d he said. \u201cTo lead designer. More responsibility, more pay. You won\u2019t have to rely on Richard\u2019s money.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWow, thank you\u2026\u201d I said, stunned.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust keep up the good work, Tessa. And don\u2019t let people like Richard push you around.\u201d<\/p>\n
So, here I am now, sitting in my office with a view while Richard scrambles to pick up the pieces of his shattered empire. Daniel told his mother, who threw Richard out immediately.<\/p>\n
And me? I\u2019m just a happy girl who was in the right place at the right time and making sure that Richard got what he deserved.<\/p>\n
What would you have done?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"