Joycelyn’s blood ran cold as Linda’s words lingered in the air. The insinuation, the veiled threats, were a sharp contrast to the calm demeanor Joycelyn had worked hard to cultivate. But inside, her thoughts were racing. Linda’s jealousy was blinding her, and the power dynamic in this office—especially with Linda’s personal connections to Ellison—was becoming more apparent by the minute.
For a moment, Joycelyn felt like she might lose her composure, but she forced herself to stay calm. The last thing she wanted was for Linda to think she could be manipulated or intimidated.
Taking a deep breath, she leveled her gaze at Linda. “You’ve got it all wrong,” Joycelyn said evenly, her voice steady despite the tension building. “I’m not here for favors, and I’m certainly not someone you can control with your petty threats. If you want to keep this professional, we can discuss the business at hand. If not, I’ll make sure the right people hear about this.”
Linda’s eyes flashed with anger, but there was a flicker of uncertainty too, as though she hadn’t expected Joycelyn to push back. She leaned back in her chair, her fingers still playing with the pen, but her eyes now narrowed, studying Joycelyn carefully. “You think you can just walk into my office and talk to me like that? You really think you’re in a position to stand up to me?”
“I do,” Joycelyn replied firmly. “And I’ve done nothing wrong. This proposal you’re accusing me of is based on your suggestions. You approved it. And now, you’re trying to shift the blame to me because of your own mismanagement. If you want to blame someone, blame yourself for making decisions without looking at the bigger picture.”
Linda’s face darkened, her pride wounded by Joycelyn’s words. “You’re not going to get away with this. I’ll make sure your career here is over before you even know it. You think you’re special just because you’re married to Mr. Grant? That won’t save you.”
Joycelyn’s eyes flashed with quiet intensity. “You can’t manipulate me with your threats, Linda. I’m not afraid of you, and I won’t let you use my personal life against me. If you try, I’ll make sure the truth comes out. About everything.”
There was a long pause, the silence between them thick with the weight of unspoken threats. Linda stared at Joycelyn, a mixture of resentment and disbelief in her gaze.
Finally, Linda spoke, her voice laced with venom, “You’ll regret this. You’ll see. This is your last warning.”
Joycelyn’s lips tightened into a thin line, but she didn’t respond. Instead, she turned and walked toward the door, her back straight and her heart racing. As she closed the door behind her, she didn’t look back.
She had no intention of letting Linda’s manipulations dictate her future, but now, more than ever, she realized how high the stakes were. Her mind was already racing, planning her next moves. The game was far from over, but she would make sure she was the one in control from now on.
Back outside, Selene was waiting for her. Her expression softened when she saw Joycelyn’s tense posture.
“What happened?” Selene asked quietly.
Joycelyn took a deep breath, forcing herself to relax. “I’m fine,” she said, her voice low but calm. “But Linda… she won’t be a problem anymore.”
Selene eyed her warily, sensing the undercurrent of tension. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely,” Joycelyn replied, meeting Selene’s gaze with a quiet confidence that seemed to settle into her bones. “But she’s not done yet. So, we need to be ready.”
Selene didn’t press further, but she gave Joycelyn a nod of understanding. “Just be careful. If she comes after you again, I’ll back you up.”
Joycelyn smiled briefly, grateful for the support. “I know. Thanks, Selene.”
With that, the two of them walked back to their desks, but the quiet weight of the situation lingered. Joycelyn couldn’t help but feel the tightrope she was walking, but for the first time, she felt like she had the power to take control of her own destiny.
