77 Missing File

Maggie waited patiently for Ella to arrive from work. All through the day, she had been preparing her new phase of attack on the couple. She wanted to stir enough trouble that would cause Leon to snap at Ella. If that happens, she would welcome the broken Ella into her arms and console her.

Earlier, Maggie placed a call across to Edna and Moses informing them of Ella’s mistreatment towards her. She even amplified Leon’s warnings, claiming that he almost slapped her and had threatened to deal with her.

As expected, the peace-loving Moses begged Maggie to return to Springchad. He warned her of the consequences of her meddling but she remained adamant.

Nevertheless, Edna encouraged Maggie to stand her ground. She told Maggie to use any means necessary to caution Ella and put Leon in his rightful place.

Feeling more determined than ever, Maggie feigned not feeling well and waited for Ella to return. However, when she realized that Ella was taking too long to return from work, she placed a call to her. When she observed that Ella wasn’t taking her call on purpose, she called out to Paul.

“Please, can you inform Ella that I am not feeling well, I think I’m having a heart palpitation,” she lied?

“Oh, sorry about that Mrs. Porter.” Paul scrutinized her and observed she was faking a sickness. He smiled within and tried to empathize with her. “I will do as you have instructed. Also, I will inform our private doctor to come down immediately and attend to you.”

“No no no...” Maggie quickly objected. “Just call my daughter. I need only her to take me to the hospital.”

“As you wish Mrs. Porter,” Paul bowed slightly and left.

.....

A few minutes later, Paul returned to Maggie and informed her of Ella’s instructions.

“Mrs. Porter, Madam Ella said that she is very busy and can’t come around. She instructed me to call the family doctor to come to check you out. She also said that if you refuse the doctor’s help, then you should take your drugs and sleep it out.”

“What!” Maggie’s eyes shone with bewilderment. “She wants me to sleep out a heart palpitation?”

“Not exactly Mrs. Porter,” Paul tried to reason with Maggie. “There is still the first option of allowing the family doctor to attend to you. I can put a call across right away and he will be here shortly.”

“Do not try to patronize me, Paul,” She scowled at him. “Isn’t it obvious that my daughter clearly wants me to die? First, she refuses to pick up my call. Then secondly, she suggested I sleep out a heart palpitation.” Maggie’s face reddened with fury. “Can you see how your worthless boss has negatively transformed my daughter?”

“Mrs. Porter,” Paul’s eyes glinted with anger at her choice of words. “You don’t have to call Mr. Leon names in my presence. Please!” Paul’s tone was slightly irked.

Maggie ignored Paul’s warning and kept calling Leon names. She wanted everyone in the house to fill the heat of her presence. She didn’t care if they hated her. However, she wanted them to transfer the same level of hatred toward Ella.

“My Ella was a gentle, obedient build your dream, someone will hire you to build theirs.’ loving daughter until she met that promiscuous devil incarnate you call a boss. She had never questioned my authority or insulted me in this manner. Like the devil that he is, he lured her with his wealth and turned her into a shameless lady. Now, my daughter would happily see me perish without rendering help.”

Paul was tempted to slap some senses into Maggie. He couldn’t take one more spiteful remark from her. He knew that informing Leon of her hateful words would stir up trouble. Hence, he decided not to.

How did the beautiful and respectful Ella ever come out of this hateful woman? Paul pondered. The mother and daughter are two opposite sides of a coin. If Ella was light Maggie was pitch black darkness. If Ella was sunshine, Maggie was a terrifying thunderstorm.

At some point in Maggie’s speech, Paul felt like weeping for Ella. Compared to Maggie’s animosity towards Ella, Marissa was a learner. Marissa would never go to this length to humiliate any of her children, no matter their crime.

“Mrs. Porter, kindly excuse me. I have other important matters to handle.” He turned around and left. Even when Maggie kept calling him to come back, he totally ignored her.

Maggie sat back fuming mumbling in anger. She waited for another hour before retiring to her room for the night.

———-

The next day, Ella arrived at work very early. She intended to create more time for her evening martial art classes. Before walking down to her office, she decided to check out the creative department.

Even though Ella was the CEO of her company, Ella never stopped creating masterpiece designs. She would work tirelessly with her creative director and together, they always came up with unique ideas.

“Good morning, Mrs. Treshvire,” a soft and pleasant voice greeted when Ella stepped into the fashion creative department.

Ella turned around sharply and was met by a freckled face beauty. She quickly remember her as the new newly employed staff of the company.

“Good morning,” Ella replied smiling. “We were briefly introduced yesterday, right?”

“Yes, ma’am. I am Jane White.” Jane extended her hands for a handshake.

“So nice to have you, Jane.” Ella shook her hands smiling. “You’re such a beautiful girl!”

“Not as beautiful as you Mrs. Treshvire,” Jane smiled bewitchingly. You are my role model. I know it may sound creepy but I idolize you.”

“Thank you,” Ella smiled. “By the way, why are you so early? You are supposed to resume by 8:00 AM and this is...” Ella looked at her wristwatch. “This is just 6:50 AM.”

“Oh, I love coming to work very early ma’am. It gives me a head start. It also prepares me physically and mentally for the day’s work”

“Hmm... That’s a good one! Keep it up!” Ella smiled and was about to walk away when Jane said something that caught her attention.

“Mrs. Treshvire, just a quick question. During my research about this amazing company, I discovered you attended the same fashion school as I did. What was your driving force?”

“Hmm... before I answer your question, I would like to know the name of your fashion school.”

Ella couldn’t stop smiling at Jane’s cuteness. She behaved and spoke cutely, almost like a baby. Her deep blue eyes had so much determination and fire in them. It reminded Ella of the time she started working in the F&K fashion home.

“Oh, the name of my fashion school is Albina university in Demmer,” Jane said proudly. Inwardly, she was happy that Ella had taken a liking to her. This would make her mission very easy to accomplish.

“Wow, good for you. Anyway, this quote had always been my driving force. Every morning, before I go to work, I say this to myself; ‘Ella, if you don’t build your dreams, someone will hire you to build theirs.'”

“Wow!” Jane cooed in the most enchanting voice. That is so awesome! I am going to a make poster of this quote and paste it boldly on the wall of my bedroom.” Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. “Thank you so much for sharing this with me, Mrs. Treshvire. Today is the best day of my life because I finally got the rare opportunity to talk to my idol.”

“You’re welcome,” Ella smiled. “you can get back to what you were doing, I’ll just take a walk around.” Ella turned around and walked away.

Jane sat back on her chair and breathed out forced air. Her heart was thumping loudly as she quickly cleared the file she hid behind her computer. Thanks to her charm, swiftness, and smartness, she has been able to divert Ella’s attention from noticing the file behind her computer.

Jane intentionally resumed work earlier precisely to lay hands on this particular file. She didn’t want anyone snooping around her desk or looking at her suspiciously.

Before Ella arrived, she was busy taking pictures of the department’s latest design, and forwarding them to Frost. she hadn’t expected Ella to come this early or even come to her department.

At the moment, Jane was slightly apprehensive as she couldn’t wait for Ella to leave. She needed to return the file before the creative director resumes work.

Ella moved around for a while, then went into the creative director’s office and sat down. She took out a folder and started flipping through it. Unable to lay her hands on a particular file, she picked up another folder. After searching through four different folders without success, she stood up and left the office.

Before leaving the creative department, Ella instructed Jane to inform the creative director to see her first thing, when she resumes.

“Okay, ma’am!” Jane replied enthusiastically.

Immediately after Ella left the creative department, Jane quickly concluded her mission and returned the missing file to its rightful place. This was the same file Ella had been looking for.

After forwarding all the images to Frost, Jane deleted them from her phone gallery. Her phone beeped once and she quickly check the message sent. She smiled as she read the message.

historical

[Frost: Hello cupcake, I got all thirty-two images. These are really amazing designs. Thank you so much. Please be discreet and very careful. We would meet at Fertown one week before the winter runway show. Lots of love, kisses, and hugs]

Jane smiled and replied to Frost’s message. She informed him that she will be sending more designs within the week. Afterward, she deleted both messages.