Chapter 33: Chapter 33

The next day, at 9:48 AM.

Margarette strode into a disarrayed showroom of Citadel’s Jewelry company with a deep frown on her face. She humphed a deep sigh and slowly approached the sales assistants who were gathered in an obvious state of panic to ask what was going on.

As the CEO’s secretary and acting Chief Operations officer, she had a lot of work on her desk. As if that wasn't enough, she had to get to work as early as the attendants against her will just to meet the sight of them in this state right when the company was opening for business.

Although, she valued her mistress' trust in her to put her in such a vital position. With this thought in mind, everything was nothing too herculean for Maggie to handle. Besides, the sumptuous paycheck she received was enough to motivate her to work. However, the occasional attention from the one whom she loved was what mattered the most. She loved how it hurt when she made her do all the work only to shower her with lots and lots of love later. Maggie didn't hate it, if anything that was in the past. Now, she had come to realize that it was Courtney’s love language.

“What's going on over here?” she asked the bunch of attendants standing around in a group arguing. They all seemed to panic at the notice of her presence but Maggie was quick to notice what was wrong with the awkward silence. Seeing the mannequin standing in one of the spotlight vitrines without that priceless piece of jewelry hanging in there, Maggie's frown deepened.

“ T-the Laguna teardrop is nowhere to be found!” Roslyn blurted out. She was the most innocent and easily apprehensive of them all. And the dreadful expression on her face said everything about her feelings.

Ethan frowned at Roslyn. However, he couldn’t help but glance over at Margarette who in essence, was the one who currently runs the company. Whatever she says will determine their fate. And the frown on her face was currently not likely to be of friendly result.

Ollie on the other hand just lowered his head in silence. Nobody gave too much concern to him since he's always been like this.

Maggie stood aloof as she had conflicting thoughts. She very well understood what was going on, but on the other hand, she couldn’t help but think what if it’s but a coincidence.

What If this was a theft and she couldn't retrieve one of the rare gems ever produced by Citadel’s. Courtney would definitely lash out on her if that ever happens. Hence, the need to ascertain.

“ Alright, you all get to work and ignore the problem. If there's anything to do you'll be informed. We don’t want our clients knowing about our business." Maggie ordered and turned to leave.

However, she turned around after taking two steps " And remove signs of this ever happening. You know what to say if anyone asks.” She said pointing her gaze towards the empty glass frame. The attendants nodded and hurried about to take care of her orders.

Maggie proceeded towards the receptionist who acted as though she hadn’t any knowledge as to what was happening and greeted with a warm smile, though the corners of her lips were slightly wry.

“ Morning, miss”

“ Is Kaitlyn in yet?” Maggie asked.

“ Yes. She came in just a few momen”

“ tell her-“ Maggie stopped on her statement to think for a while before saying “ Don’t worry” She proceeded towards the elevator.

Kaitlyn had just checked the mails and was just getting prepared to start on the paperworks she was left to finish from the day before when she noticed the clicking sound of heels amidst the quietness and sounds of hands tapping on keyboards around in the office space. She could only help but furrow her brow at this.

However, she unfurrowed them when she saw who it was.

“ Miss Margarette?” Kaitlyn greeted when Maggie reached her space. Although, they might have had close interactions before, Maggie was without doubt her superior in all aspects within the company, and she had to be respectful towards her. The fact that she stopped by her office space when she could have called her in her office indicated well enough that something was definitely wrong.

“ Was it Mark?” Maggie leaned over her desk to ask, obviously not wanting the others to listen on their conversation.

Indeed, to them it seemed as though the Chief operating officer was only supervising the sales executive’s work. They took lesson from this and put more focus on their work, no one wanted to face the wrath of Maggie. She could be quite scary at times.

Kaitlyn baffled as to Maggie's question raised a brow to express her confusion.

“ The missing Laguna teardrop, was it him?” Maggie pressed.

Kaitlyn perplexed, frowned and moved her head to the side to reminisce on the question.

It was only now that the dots started to connect. Just this morning when she resumed to work, she’d noticed how the attendants grouped and discussed about something with obvious trepidation evident in their actions. Of course, she has realized something was off. She’d asked the receptionist and the receptionist had told her the Laguna teardrop diamond necklace, a rare exquisite piece of jewelry that was one of Citadel's most valued gems, was missing.

It was then that she remembered where she’d seen that necklace that Mark was tucking in his pocket last night.

She visibly shuddered in place when she realized what had happened and she slowly shook her gaze to meet Maggie's, before slowly nodding her head in affirmation.

“ Fine…” Maggie heaved in relief. Everything was still under control after all. She looked towards the office to the left with its door locked and said “ Tell him to come see me in my office as soon as he arrives”

Kaitlyn made a difficult face realizing where this was going. Although she fancied Mark, she knew what was between them was nothing but a farce and short-termed but still, she felt a sense of foreboding telling on him like this. She didn't know why Mark did what he did, but it wasn't her place to judge him either.

Maggie seeing the complex emotions that phased through Kaitlyn's face decided to not comment on it.

“ Be ready to make the rise at the right call” Maggie reached to caress Kaitlyn on the cheek with a finger and swiftly left her in a state of drifting thought with only a resonant note in mind,

' I have to rise, and if that meant Mark had to fall then so be it ...'

For reasons unknown to her, Maggie felt excited about manipulating Kaitlyn like this.

Well then, let's see how this all works out…