As Rita convinced herself that she was merely overthinking, she reassured herself that Ben was keeping Ella only to use her. After all, she was managing his company.
"Well, how will I enjoy his money without doing anything?" Rita muttered, a sly smile curling her lips as she spoke to herself.
Confident and emboldened, Rita began to spread her wings, making herself completely comfortable in the house. Meanwhile, Ella remained silent, focused on her work, keeping her mind sharp and unyielding.
Rita's confidence soon morphed into audacity. One afternoon, she strolled into Ella's office, brazen and deliberate, not attempting to hide her arrogance. Her goal was clear: provoke Ella, humiliate her in front of the staff, and assert dominance.
"What are you doing here?" Ella asked calmly as she entered her office, her voice measured but edged with authority.
"Mmmm… I see you're enjoying your new position," Rita replied, her tone dripping with mockery, her gaze sharp and cruel. She wanted Ella to feel every ounce of the sting she delivered.
"Don't enjoy it too much," Rita continued, leaning forward, her voice teasing but threatening. "You'll be gone soon, once my darling Ben has finished with you."
"Get out!" Ella's voice remained calm, yet it carried the fire of controlled anger, the kind that demanded respect.
"I should get out? Who do you think you are?!" Rita shouted, her voice booming, drawing the attention of everyone in the office.
"Your boss here is a gold digger," she declared proudly, chest forward, eyes scanning the room for effect. "She wormed her way into my man's arms. I don't know what he even saw in her… but he has come back to his senses. He chose me and dumped her!"
The office fell silent. Every head turned toward Ella. She felt a wave of embarrassment and humiliation crash over her, freezing her for a heartbeat.
Unable to bear it, Ella shut her office door, but Rita continued her verbal assault. She tarnished Ella's image, encouraged the staff to disrespect her, and reveled in the chaos she had created.
Inside, Ella's body trembled, and bitter tears spilled down her cheeks.
"Oh, Ella of yesterday… I pity her," whispered one worker, while others exchanged gossipy glances and quiet laughter, fueling the sting of humiliation.
The weight of shame was unbearable. Ella couldn't linger another second as whispers and laughter filled her office. She left early, her heart heavy, and went straight to Ben's.
"Why would you allow Rita to disgrace me in my own office?" Ella demanded, her voice tight with hurt and disbelief as she confronted him.
Ben looked at her, confusion etched on his face. "I don't understand… what are you saying?"
Ella recounted every detail, describing Rita's arrogance, insults, and public humiliation, painting a picture of the storm she had endured.
Ben's hands clenched, his jaw tightening. Anger flared inside him, a storm threatening to break free. He longed to confront Rita, to show her the disgust he felt, but he restrained himself, unwilling to expose Ella to his raw fury.
"I'll talk to her," Ben finally said, his voice restrained and measured, though tension underlined every word.
Ella's disappointment was immediate and sharp. "Is that all you've got?" she asked, her tone cold and cutting, slicing through the quiet between them.
She shook her head, eyes blazing with frustration. "I don't know why I even came here in the first place. I should have known. I'm so disappointed in you," she added, turning and walking away, leaving Ben standing in the heavy silence of unspoken words.
Ben watched her leave, every part of him yearning to call her back, to confess everything he couldn't say, but he held his tongue. He watched her go, knowing that silence was the only way to keep her safe.