8.I can’t believe her audacity!

'Send me a message once you're going home. I'll accompany you to get your things from the apartment, okay?" President Braun gently said as his car stopped not far from Star Agency. She nodded, and he grabbed her arm as she was about to open the car door. When she looked back, she felt his lips press against her forehead. 'Take care, and please don't let anyone hurt you. I don't want to see any bruises once you get home," he softly said. 'Okay, you take care too. I'll call you later when I'm done here," she responded, trying to act unaffected by his gesture. But inside, her heart felt like it was going wild, and she felt butterflies in her stomach. Exiting the car, she walked straight to the building without looking back, so passersby wouldn't suspect anything. She had barely reached the building's entrance when she was immediately greeted by her Manager/PA/best friend. 'Your wonderful ex— I mean, fiancé, wants to see you," her friend said. She nodded and proceeded to Xander's office, with Chelsey accompanying her. She could feel the sharp stares of the staff they passed. Some even murmured, but she ignored them. 'They're so shameless, acting like they know everything," Chelsey fumed as they approached Xander's office door. 'Don't mind them. Their days are numbered anyway. I'll make sure they fall with me— or better yet, they'll lose their jobs because of what I'm about to do," she hinted to her friend and entered Xander's office without knocking. Chelsey gasped at the scene but kept a neutral face and followed inside. 'Don't you know how to knock, Briella?!" Xander snapped, quickly removing his hand from around Matilda's waist. Had she entered a second later, she would've caught them kissing. She could feel her friend's intense anger, but she gave her a subtle glance to calm down. Today wasn't the day for retribution. 'I didn't know Matilda was here," she said with a smirk, glancing at her traitorous friend. 'Xander called me for advice because of the stupid thing you did yesterday," Matilda replied, folding her arms. She raised an eyebrow and shrugged. 'My stupidity? Is it worse than you stealing someone's fiancé?" 'I did nothing wrong yesterday. My friend invited me to the show because the model who was supposed to walk didn't show up," she explained. 'Do you think anyone will believe you? You're just making things worse for yourself, Briella. Why don't you admit you did it out of jealousy for my fame? You saw how fans adore me and how many more models know me than you," Matilda sneered. She felt her ears burn, but she kept her composure. 'I have nothing to prove to you or anyone else, and I certainly don't owe you an explanation. My friend organized that fashion show and asked me nicely. I owed that person a favor. I'm not like others who betray and backstab after all the help they've received," she retorted. She saw Matilda halt, anger evident in her eyes. 'Chelsey, you can go. I need to talk to Briella," Xander interjected. 'Shouldn't Matilda be the one to leave if you want to talk to me? I need her here because I also have something to say," she countered. Xander looked taken aback. He glanced at Matilda, and she could see the woman's face crumple further. 'Don't tell me you'll listen to her?" Matilda exclaimed. 'Excuse me?" she responded, pointing to herself. 'I'm Xander's fiancée. Shouldn't he listen to me more than you? What are you to him?" she sarcastically asked. 'Briella!" Xander growled. 'Yes, honey?" she replied sweetly. She saw Xander's face lose color, and his eyes dart away. He turned to Matilda, struggling to find words. 'Please leave us. I'll call you later, along with your PA, to discuss this mess," he said, glaring at her. Matilda stormed to the door. When she reached her, she didn't budge, blocking her way. 'Move, you're blocking the way," Matilda snapped. She smiled sweetly. 'The room is spacious, Matty. I'm surely not cramping your style?" They locked eyes, neither backing down. She didn't move to give way. If it had been before, she would have moved and let herself be bossed around. But not today! She wasn't going to be bullied by them any longer! 'Matilda..." Xander called the woman, and she detected a hint of a smirk on Matilda's lips as the latter scowled and finally moved to leave. Matilda slammed the door hard but ignored it, walking to the long sofa to sit down. Chelsey followed, quietly observing everything. 'Do we need her here? How can we discuss—" 'Yes," she interrupted. Xander stared at her for a long time before speaking. 'What happened yesterday, Briella? You told me you had something important to attend to, but you never mentioned getting into trouble. Do you realize the consequences of your actions?" he said. 'I did nothing wrong. I was helping a friend," she replied. 'Don't you realize? Your so-called friend put you in danger. If you had just followed my advice and worked on some reports in the office, you wouldn't have been caught up in that scandal!" he exclaimed. She tilted her head and couldn't help but smirk. 'Why? What did you do yesterday that you had to pass your work to me? Shouldn't you be the one doing it? Also, I need to rest and have fun occasionally." She saw him freeze for a moment, but he quickly adjusted. This guy has some nerve. Why am I only seeing this rotten side of him now? She remembered the night she caught them in the act right before her. She clenched her fists, trying to calm herself, thinking of when she would explode and slap her ex-fiancé. 'Honey..." Xander began sweetly, about to approach her, but she stopped him. 'I want to tell you something... Would you like me to speak first, or do you want to?" she asked. She wouldn't let him get close; otherwise, she might push him away and drench him in a gallon of alcohol. 'Go on," he said, sitting on the other sofa before her. 'I want Chelsey to be my manager. I want to walk the runway again and be a model," she stated confidently. 'What?!" He almost shouted in disbelief, staring at her intensely. 'I want to model again," she repeated. 'No! I—I mean... didn't we discuss this? I need you here in the company, and you promised to help—" 'Then marry me as soon as possible," she bluntly replied, keeping eye contact. She said it boldly, knowing he would disagree. Given the current situation, there's no way he'd focus on something he'd consider trivial. 'Honey, we can wait, right? I'm sorry if I stood you up—" 'Did you forget that was your promise to me, which is why I stopped modeling? If the wedding isn't going to happen, it's fine with me, but I won't be in your office doing anything. I can still help in other ways. I was one of the top models globally; I need a comeback," she explained. Xander looked stunned, clearly disliking her declaration, but she didn't care. Even if he disagreed, her decision was final. 'Okay, if that's what you want. But I'll find you a manager first—" 'No need, I have Chelsey. I trust her more than anyone else. You don't need to worry about her salary; I'll handle it. Just give me the contract, and I'll sign it," she interjected. 'Why do you suddenly want to model again? Do you think anyone will hire you after the scene you caused yesterday?" he said with a dark expression. There you go… She secretly smirked, seeing his true colors showing. She smiled sweetly. 'Honey, I told you why I want a comeback. Think whatever you want, but my decision is final." 'Then we'll do as you wish. I'll have the contract ready within a week..." he said. 'No, I want it now," she responded. Xander seemed taken aback by Briella's sudden change in demeanor. She had never spoken to him like this before and had never been dismissive of him. Could she have known about that night? Xander wondered. But that seemed impossible, as he had seen her completely drunk and passed out. 'I don't need a press conference or anything to sign the contract. Just give me the contract, and we're done," Briella stated. He stared at her, trying to decipher her thoughts, but her face revealed no emotion. He had no choice but to agree, calling his secretary to prepare the contract. Meanwhile, Chelsey couldn't believe the exchange between her friend and the others. And she especially couldn't believe they caught the two traitors being intimate! How long have they been deceiving Briella? Why didn't we know? If Briella hadn't caught them, she would still unthinkingly follow them! She shot Xander a cold look, boiling with anger at him. He acted so well, showing no hint of guilt. 'Chelsey, be ready. As soon as I sign the contract, we'll handle and decide on the job offers ourselves," Briella whispered to her. She discreetly nodded, keeping her gaze on Xander. 'I still can't believe how he can be so nonchalant after all he's done." 'Lower your voice; he might hear you," Briella cautioned. 'Sorry," she apologized, sealing her lips. 'Let's wait for my secretary; she's preparing the contract. Can I—" Xander was cut off as the door swung open, revealing an enraged Matilda. 'What the hell, Xander? You're letting Briella sign a contract, especially after the huge scandal she caused?!" Matilda shouted, leaving the door open. She seethed, wanting to rush at the woman trying to humiliate Briella in front of the passing staff. 'Matilda, calm down. Briella and I are discussing the damages from that day," Xander tried to appease her, clearly startled by her abrupt entrance. 'You're discussing? Why did I hear differently from your secretary? Are you letting her sign a contract? Ha! Do you want this agency to become a joke?" Matilda ranted, shooting Briella a nasty glare. Yet Briella remained calm, her gaze fixed on Xander, who looked flustered by Matilda's hysterics. 'Matty, please let us talk. I know what I'm doing, okay?" Xander pleaded. 'Exactly, leave us alone. We have more important things to discuss, and I don't think you're concerned," Briella shot back at Matilda, further infuriating her. She smirked, waiting for Matilda's reaction. 'You're shameless, Bri! You probably planned this scandal long ago to return to modeling! Are you that desperate and envious of me that you'd resort to such a dirty tactic?!" Matilda spat. I can't believe her audacity! She had to restrain herself from lunging at Matilda and dragging her face across the floor! She glanced at Briella, who seemed unaffected, merely watching Xander, who looked lost amidst Matilda's fit. 'Matilda, please let us discuss this. I know what I'm doing, okay?" Xander tried to appease her. 'Right, leave us alone. We have something more important to discuss, and I don't think you'd care about it," Briella retorted, further infuriating Matilda. Finally, Matilda left, slamming the door behind her. Briella and Chelsey continued their discussion with Xander.