Charles then stiffened his face and stared right back at her face. “Now, you just showed your true color. Don’t you dare try anything stupid as you should know more than anyone that I end up winning against my enemies. Now, please leave my office.” Charles said to her and moved back his focus on something else. Vera was grieved and even as he had warned her not to try anything stupid, it still didn’t mean that she wouldn’t get back at him the way she wanted to. Although, Charles was right about always winning against his enemies, but Vera was a different kind of enemy, if she decided to be his enemy. She was going to cause more damage than the others if she ended up being his enemy. She took in a deep breath, then turned away, heading towards the exit door, and walked out. When she got out, she met James, leaning against the wall next to the door, like he was unhappy. She gave him one last look, and left without saying a word. “Vera.” James called out to her softly, but even if she heard, she wasn’t going to answer him. After all, this was no longer her work place and there was no need for her to linger around. James let out a deep sigh. He knew both were hurt and there were no picking sides, but he hoped that Charles would be able to continue being the man he knows, without Vera. James didn’t bother going into Charles’ office because the initial reason he came was to know what judgement Charles was going to give to Vera, and since he fired her, there was no point going into the office as the deed had already been done. That night, Amelia came over to his house, and they both sat in the living room, with a dim light on. “So, Vera was the culprit.” “No. She was tricked into giving out Charles’ bank details, and Charles can’t seem to forgive that.” “Hmm. That’s understandable. But then, what is confidential is confidential. I know there are some things that would have happened in your company that you had to leave on trips for, but I know no detail about it, and that’s because it’s confidential. That’s the right attitude to work. And your partner should understand that.” Amelia spoke as she placed her hand on James’ arm. Then James looked at her. “So, in a nutshell, she isn’t the culprit, but she’s at a hundred percent fault for that, happening.” “Yes. If she was at a gun point, that’s understandable. She won’t have been at fault. But she was in her right mind when she did this, so she’s definitely her fault and has slacked in doing her duties the way she ought to.” Amelia added, and smoothened James’ hair. James let out a deep sigh. He knew Amelia was right, and he had decided that he would have to learn to get used to not seeing Vera around, even though he would miss her. The next day, Charles called James to the office, and both of them sat before each other, in a professional mood. “In the absence of Vera, we’ll start working vigorously. I want us to reach a target, and you might have more work to do, now that Vera is no longer with us. I hope you understand.” Charles uttered. “Yes, I do.” James responded, with a normal expression on. “Good. So, here is the plan. I want us to increase our publicity on our newly-founded company. Then we have to urge those workers to produce more mind-blowing innovations that would turn the market around. It’s time to earn some more money, James. Do you understand me?” James smiled, with his nice set of teeth, being revealed. “Yes. And we’ll certainly get to the height we want to attain.” He assured, trying to increase the morale in the air. Although, it was quite difficult to act happy as Vera wasn’t around, but he had to brush off the fact that he ever knew Vera, just to keep the work spirit up, and not make Charles feel like he’s taking sides with Vera. “Also, I’ll need someone who can also fill in the vacancy Vera left, so I need you to look and deeply investigate on any candidate you think is best.” Charles urged. “Yes, sure boss. This time around, there would be thorough questioning and series of interview, if need be. Just to be certain we’re employing efficient and passionate workers.” James assured, with a smile. “Yes, that’s exactly what I want. You can leave, now.” Charles uttered, then dropped his head as he focused on the documents before him. James then rose to his feet, and headed for the door, then he walked out, and headed back to his office. He opened up his laptop, and then let it out that a vacancy needs to be filled in. He got a list of potential candidates, and looked at them all with squinted eyes, trying to see the perfect match for the job. ~ It was late at night when Vera was coming back from a bar. Her car had broken down, and she couldn’t think of what to do at that moment. She felt messed up, and just wanted to go home.While dragging her feet on the way, hoping to see a cab which would take her home, hot tears streamed down her eyes. “Bastard.” She muttered under her breath. “Bastards!” She repeated sharply under her breath. She was referring to both Louis and Charles, but then, more than anything, she felt more hurt by Charles. “He couldn’t even give me a second chance.” She uttered, and but her lower lip as she continued walking. Then she fell to the ground, and had no desire to pick herself up, but burst into tears. As she continued crying, she noticed a sharp light directed at her. As she looked towards that sharp light, she noticed that it was a car, speeding towards her.