Chapter 5 Kind and Generous
Celia walked past the reception desk of Black Diamond Horizon. Her heels struck sharply against the floor, her face cold and tense.
Without sparing the receptionist a glance, she strode straight into the main work area. Her gaze locked onto the team assigned to the wedding season project.
The moment she stepped closer, several members glanced up instinctively. Conversations faltered. Laptops paused mid-typing.
Celia walked toward Yulia and reached for the seat next to her.
She didn’t even get the chance to pull it out.
“You are no longer a part of our team,” Yulia announced, her voice sharp enough to cut glass. “Find another project.”
Her chin lifted slightly, her gaze sliding past Celia as if she were nothing.
For a second, the entire office went silent.
Their eyes flicked nervously between Celia and Yulia. Instinctively, they took a small step back from Celia—yet, almostunconsciously, edged closer to Yulia, as if aligning themselves without daring to make it obvious.
Celia stared at Yulia, disbelief flashing across her face. Her hand froze in midair, still hovering above the chair she had been about to pull out.
“What? Why?” she asked sharply, her brows knitting together.
But Yulia didn’t even give her time to breathe.
“How dare you give access to our project to everyone in the office when I told you clearly there was no space left?” She finally looked up from her laptop, her eyes cold and hard.
“You ignored my words and disrupted the entire project. Now we’re at full capacity. We can’t handle more members—so you’re out.”
“You can’t do that!” Celia snapped immediately. Her face darkened, her lips trembling as anger surged through her. “I was part of that project. I was just trying to help people in our office.”
“And you’ve helped enough,” Yulia cut in sharply.
Her jaw was clenched so tightly that the muscles stood out. Her fingers trembled against the edge of the table as she struggled to hold back her temper.
“My decision is final. I already submitted the request to management, and it has been approved. You are no longer part of this team.”
She stared straight at Celia, her gaze merciless.
“We cannot keep someone who treats this project like a charity. This is the most important project this season. Management agreed with me. So you’re out.”
Celia stood frozen.
Her eyes slowly moved to the rest of the members at the table. No one met her gaze. Some lowered their heads. Others pretended to busy themselves with files.
“Let’s go,” Yulia said as she shut her laptop with a crisp snap. “We need to head to the meeting room.”
Chairs scraped loudly against the floor.
Without another glance at Celia, they all stood and walked out together.
Celia remained where she was.
Stiff.
Watching their backs disappear through the glass door.
Her fingers slowly curled into fists at her sides. Her nails dug into her palms, but she didn’t seem to feel it.
