Chapter 7: Confrontation with Margaret Grey and Farewell–2


    Instead, she had departed with indifference, as if I were the one being dismissed!


    “The nerve!” I muttered, rising from the chair with as much dignity as I could muster.


    Martha appeared in the doorway, her expression carefully neutral. “Will you be staying for dinner, Luna Grey?”


    “Certainly not,” I snapped, striding past her toward the front door.


    My driver opened the car door as I approached, and I slid into the plush leather seat with a


    huff of frustration. As soon as the door closed, I pulled out my phone, already nning how to convey my displeasure to Ethan.


    Before I could dial, the phone rang in my hand. Cassandra’s name shed on the screen.


    “Cassandra, dear,” I answered, my voice instantly transforming from irritation to maternal


    warmth.


    “Luna Grey, how did it go?” Cassandra asked, her voice sweet with concern.


    I sighed dramatically. “Cassandra, did you know that Ethan’s girlfriend has no respect at all? A


    real shrew, proves the saying ‘bad backgrounds breed bad manners.”


    “Oh <i>no</i>,” Cassandra responded, her tone sympathetic. “That must have been awful for you.”


    I couldn’t see her face, but I could imagine the secret delight my words brought her. Cassandra


    had always been transparent in her ambitions, but at least she understood proper respect.


    “Don’t get upset,” she continued soothingly. “Don’t lower yourself to argue with someone like


    that.”


    “You’re still the sweetest girl,” I replied, settling back against the seat as my driver pulled away


    from Moonlight Manor. “That girl said she’s leaving in a few days and won’te back. At


    least she knows her ce.”


    “Really?” Cassandra’s voice perked up with poorly disguised eagerness. “So she’s breaking up


    with Ethan?”


    I smiled confidently, though no one could see it. “Even if she doesn’t, I’ll force them apart. After


    her attitude today, she has no chance.”


    “Are you going back home now?” Cassandra asked quickly. “I cane keep youpany.”


    “That would be lovely, dear,” I replied, pleased by her attentiveness. “I’ll tell you all about it


    < Chapter 7 Confrontation with…


    when you arrive.”


    <b>25 </b>Puntos >


    As I ended the call, satisfaction began to rece my earlier frustration. The girl was leaving,


    and Cassandra would soon take her rightful ce beside Ethan. Everything was proceeding ording to n, even if not exactly as I had envisioned.


    (Olivia’s POV)


    The familiar ss doors of thew center slid open as I approached. I had worked here for over three years, growing from an apprentice to a fully licensedwyer. This modest building had witnessed my entire professional journey.


    The receptionist looked up with a smile. “Good afternoon, Ms. Winters.”


    I nodded in greeting, making my way to the director’s office. Mr. Wilson was expecting me, having received my call earlier.


    “Olivia,” he greeted me, rising from behind his desk. His bespectacled face showed genuine regret. “I was hoping you might reconsider.”


    I shook my head gently. “My decision is final, Mr. Wilson. I appreciate all the opportunities


    you’ve given me.”


    He sighed, epting the envelope containing my formal resignation. “You’ve been an asset to


    this center. If <i>you </i>ever wish <i>to </i>return, there will always be a ce for you here.”


    Afterpleting the necessary paperwork, I headed to my small office to collect my personal


    belongings. Emma Thompson, my young assistant, was waiting for me, her expression


    anxious.


    “Is it true?” she asked as soon as I entered. “Are you really leaving?”


    I nodded, cing my resignation copy on the desk. “Yes, Emma. I’m returning to Riverdale.”


    Emma’s eyes instantly reddened, tears welling up. “Liv, why are you suddenly resigning?”


    I hadn’t expected to feel sad about leaving. Thew center had been just a job, a means to support myself while I figured out my life in Harbor City. But facing Emma’s tearful reluctance,


    a pang of sorrow struck my heart.


    Our bond had grown beyond mere workce camaraderie into something closer to sisterhood. Emma had joined me fresh out of Riverdale University, three years my junior and


    eager to learn. I had taken her under my wing, teaching her everything I knew aboutw


    practice.


    “I have family matters to attend to,” I exined gently, reaching out to squeeze her hand.


    < Chapter 7: Confrontation with.


    “But will youe back?” she asked, her voice small and hopeful.


    +25 Puntos <b>> </b>


    I hesitated, unwilling to lie to her. “I don’t think so, Emma. But this isn’t goodbye forever. We’ll


    stay in touch.”


    Emma wiped at her tears with the back of her hand. “It won’t be the same without you. You’ve


    taught me so much.”


    “And you’ve learned well,” I assured her, smiling despite the lump forming in my throat. “You’re


    going to be an excellentwyer, Emma. Better than me.”


    She shook her head vigorously. “That’s not possible.”


    I began gathering my few personal items–a small potted nt, a framed photo of my mother,


    a few reference books I’d purchased myself. Emma watched silently, asionally sniffling.


    “What about Alpha Grey?” she asked suddenly. “Does he know you’re leaving?”


    The question caught me off guard. Emma was one of the few people who knew about my


    rtionship with Ethan, though even she didn’t know the full extent of itsplications.


    “He will,” I replied simply.


    As I packed thest of my belongings into a small box, I reflected on the unexpected turn my


    day had taken. I hadn’t nned to leave quite so abruptly, but Margaret Grey’s deliberate


    humiliation had forced my hand.


    Yet perhaps this was the only way to protect my dignity, and to reim the courage to start


    anew<i>. </i>