She pulled her lips into a frigid smile, her heart completely chilled by Austin's constant unfair treatment.

"You look awfully pale," Royce said, studying Ella's ghostly complexion with concern.

Ella kept her eyes downcast, her voice hoarse. "I'm fine, Mr. Castillo."

Though Royce didn't understand why Austin was targeting Ella,he offered reassurance. "Don't take it personally. We'll discuss your position after I finish my meeting with Mr. Raymond."

Ella nodded silenty before returning to organizing files on her desk.

The door closed.

Ella crouched down and expelled a heavy breath of frustration.

She stood to get herself a glass of water to clear her thoughts when she bumped into Hannah, who had returned to the office.

"Ella, did you see Mr. Raymond?" Hannah glanced around the office area.deliberately lowering her voice.

Ella swallowed her water and set down the glass, answering distractedly,"Yes, I did."

"Isn't he gorgeous? Looks like he stepped out of a magazine," Hannah whispered.

Though professional at work, she loved office gossip to break up the monotony of her administrative duties. "I heard from reception that Mr.

Raymond has something going on with that new girl from the design department. Do you think she might be his girlfriend?"

Ella leaned against her desk, saying nothing as she looked down.

"Some people have all the luck." Hannah continued philosophically. "I see Mr. Castillo every day and haven't sparked any romance, but she somehow managed to land one of the most eligible bachelors in Arcadia."

Caught up in her gossip, Hannah leaned closer to share more."Word is that Mr. Raymond is here to discuss the drone project funding with Mr.Castillo. Apparently, he's investing tens of millions to establish credibility for that new design girl, making her the lead on the entire drone project."

"Westfield Art Institute graduate with international experience comes back and immediately gets handed a multi-million dollar project? Is she some romance novel heroine or what?" Hannah said with dramatic flair.

Ella's gaze drifted toward the office door.

She had to admit that Austin truly loved Judith. Going to such lengths to pave her career path-if that wasn't love, what was?

Meanwhile, Ella had been relegated to playing the dutiful housewife.

No wonder his friends looked down on her.

How could a housewife compare to someone like Judith, who was being courted by prestigious companies?

"Ella." A voice suddenly called from inside the office.

Ella had to abandon her conversation with Hannah, who happily went back toher other tasks after satisfying her gossip craving.

Ella walked to the door and knocked.

"Come in," Royce called.

Only after receiving permission did she push the door open.

She entered to find Judith and Austin sitting close together on the leather sofa,their backs to her.

Royce sat on the opposite sofa and instructed, "Two iced Americanos, and...

Judith interrupted with a bright smile, completing Royce's sentence with an entitled tone, "And one hot cappuccino for me. I prefer sweet drinks."

Royce observed Judith's lack of workplace etiquette with disapproval.

As her boss, he found it presumptuous that a new employee would interrupt him so casually.

Was she already considering herself the Raymond Group's first lady?

Austin was, after all, CEO of Raymond Group.

"Iced Americano," Austin added with a cursory glance at Ella before returning his attention to his conversation with Royce.

Ella noticed that this brief look was merely to confirm she would bring the coffee.

She lifted the corner of her mouth in bitter amusement-she only warranted attention when Judith needed something.

With the tray of three coffees balanced carefully, Ella walked steadily back to the office.

At the door, she overheard the conversation inside.

"The Prometheus Project's early development phase requires substantial scientific talent. I'm hoping you might persuade Dr. Gonzalez to come out of retirement," Austin was saying.

Royce sounded apologetic. "Dr. Gonzalez retired many years ago. However.I know a scientific heavyweight called Phoenix. She's made groundbreaking advances in autonomous driving and AI intelligence-a truly exceptional talent. If we could get her involved, she might solve your urgent problem."

A knock interrupted their conversation.

"Come in," Royce called.

Ella entered carrying the three coffees.

She placed the two iced Americanos in front of Austin and Royce,respectively.

To distinguish between them, Ella had mentally noted their positions.

Only the cappuccino remained.

As Ella was about to set it on the table, a foot deliberately extended in her path-whether attempting tocross legs or hoping to see her stumble, Ella wasn't sure.

Rather than falling victim to the trap, Ella used the momentum of her stumble to accidentally spill the coffee directly onto Judith's legs.

Turning the tables.

The hot coffee cascaded over Judith's thighs, causing her to jump up with

a shrill scream.

"Ella, what are you doing?!" The friendly facade Judith maintained in public instantly evaporated, revealing her true vicious nature.

Realizing her inappropriate outburst, Judith quickly turned a pleading look toward Austin. "Austin, it hurts so much."

"Ella must have spilled the coffee on me because I took her position.I should leave if my presence bothers her so much," Judith said, masterfully painting herself as the victim.

"Don't be ridiculous," Austin rose quickly, draping his jacket over her shoulders and tenderly finding tissues to help her dry off.

His cold voice questioned Royce, "Is this how you select your staff,Mr.Castillo?"

The atmosphere instantly dropped to freezing.

Royce looked uncomfortably at Ella's expressionless face.

Austin was, after all, the CEO of Raymond Group, an established businessman with extensive connections in scientific research.

His assets were spread throughout the country, and his vast international network meant he could acquire any chip or component that might stump other companies.

To put it bluntly, crossing Austin while trying to succeed in scientific research would be like climbing Mount Everest.

The difficulty would increase exponentially.

But Ella was Phoenix, a formidable force in her own right within scientific

circles.

Firing this renowned scientific heavyweight to please Austin would feel like losing a billion-dollar opportunity.

Caught between these competing interests, Royce could only compromise."

Ella,apologize to Judith."

Apologize?

Ella didn't feel she had done anything wrong.

Her eyes cooled as she stared at the floor, saying nothing.

Royce, seeing her stubbornness, cleared his throat as a warning. "Ella, say something. Don't just stand there silent."

Judith sniffled theatrically, dabbing at her tears. "It's all my fault. If Ella doesn't want me at Quantum Tech, I should just give her my position in the design department."

A masterful retreat to advance.