Chapter 459

A cold arc flashed in the corner of Ishara's eye as she blinked innocently. "Just three more days, I remember. I'll do my best for yourmother."

"Thank you," said Lawrence.

After having breakfast in ST's staff cafeteria and almost back to their duties, Ishara caught a glimpse of Winnie and Melanie sitting together, chatting and laughing while discussing work.

Ishara's expression shifted. She realized Melanie was trying to get in Winnie's good graces.

Since childhood, Melanie had been stubborn, not fawning over her like Angela did.

Ishara could barely stand the sight of Melanie, never missing an opportunity to mistreat this illegitimate daughter. Of course, in the eyes of the Blanchet family, it was never Ishara's fault-it was always Melanie's.

The thought of Melanie trying to break free from her control, cozying up to Winnie, possibly even spilling Ishara's secrets.

Narrowing her eyes, Ishara walked up the stairs, appearing aloof.

Back in his office, Lawrence was immersed in his work.

Ishara followed and, seeing him open a file, offered thoughtfully, "Lawrence, it's my first day on the job and I'm not sure what to do. Can I go make you a cup of coffee?"

"Sure, take some time to get acclimated to the environment. No pressure, you're just here to get a feel for things. Remember, health comes first," Lawrence reassured her, then returned to his tasks.

Ishara responded with a smile and headed out toward the break room.

With two steaming cups of coffee ready, Ishara stood by the window, surveying the office. She saw Melanie return to her desk and Winnie step back into her office.

Ishara added a bit more water, diluting the coffee just so.

Carefully balancing the two brimming cups, she made her way out, eyeing the path back to Lawrence's office.

However, she chose the route that would take her past Melanie.

As Melanie was bending down to sort through her drawer files, Ishara approached from behind, the cold glint in her eyes flashing momentarily.

She paused deliberately, sidling up to Melanie and whispering with a vindictive sneer, "Melanie, cozying up to Winnie because you think she can take me on?"

The sudden sound of Ishara's voice caused Melanie to flinch, the shadows of her childhood flickering past.

Startled, she turned, her hand not yet outstretched.

With an abrupt cry, Ishara stumbled backward, spilling two cups of coffee--most of it dousing Melanie's neck, while a small portion, deliberately, splattered on her own ankle.

She collapsed to the floor, screaming in pain.

Melanie's face was so scorched it turned ashen. She leaped up, the chair clattering loudly, teeth clenched with fury. "What the hell are you doing?!"

"I-I'm sorry, it was an accident..." Ishara cowered on the floor, her eyes brimming red with forced tears and humiliation at being yelled at.

The commotion quickly disturbed the other colleagues in the office, and all eyes turned toward them.

"What's going on?"

Melanie's assistant was the first to rush over. "Are you okay, Mel?"

"Ms. Nelson's ankle is burned!" declared Ishara's new assistant, calling out loudly.

Lawrence, hearing of Ishara's injury, frowned and emerged from his office. His tall, imposing presence commanded silence in the office like a sudden drop in temperature.

"Lawrence, I-I..." Ishara was on the floor, coughing violently, unable to stand.

As her skirt hitched up, her swollen red ankle was glaringly visible. Lawrence. strode over, bending down to inspect the injury. "What happened?"

Then he looked up, his gaze heavy, scrutinizing everyone. "What exactly happened here?"

Confronted by Lawrence's intimidating aura, Melanie didn't dare speak. In the Blanchet family, she knew all too well that Lawrence was Ishara's boyfriend.

The severe burn under her neck shook Melanie with pain, turning her complexion a sickly pale.

"Mr. Rodriguez, it seems Ms. Nelson had been carrying coffee and bumped into Melanie by her desk," Ishara's assistant explained.

"I did not!" Melanie's voice was defiant, her fists clenched as she mustered the courage to contradict, "She yelled at me on purpose..."

"Lawrence, don't be hard on her. I was carrying two coffees and got a bit excited when I saw my cousin. I just called out to her, and she reacted so strongly, pushing me..."

Though she urged not to blame her cousin, the mention of the two cups of coffee implied a deliberate shove.

Inside, Melanie felt both loathing and fear. Ishara's tactics were insidiously dark.

After enduring so much pain and torment since childhood, she was still trapped in Ishara's snare.

"Why did you push her? As her cousin, you should know she's not well. Was it on purpose?" Lawrence demanded coldly from Melanie.

He had seen Ishara's skin quickly blister. These next three days were crucial; she couldn't be injured.

Irritated, he steadied Ishara, helping her to carefully stand. "Is it bad?"

"Lawrence, it hurts so much!" Ishara's tears fell as she spoke, her voice full of pain, "But I can't put medicine on it, can I? It's okay, I can bear it.  Don't be mad at Melanie. It wasn't intentional, I'm sure..."

Her tears began to flow even more, her face turning a bright red as she struggled to hold them back.

Lawrence frowned, knowing his mother needed a blood transfusion soon and that treating Ishara for tetanus wasn't an option. She was in a lot of pain.

He turned, his handsome face steely. "You owe Ms. Nelson an apology."

Melanie felt humiliated, her eyes rimmed red as she looked at Ishara's delicate, pitiable face. "Mr. Rodriguez, I've been burned too. I didn't push her..."

Lawrence didn't see any burn on her. He just wanted Ishara to stop crying.

"Are you going to apologize or not?" His towering presence felt menacing.

Melanie's tears escaped, her body trembling, refusing to apologize.

"Enough!" Lawrence's patience snapped. "Fire this woman!"

"No!" Melanie's face went pale, anger flashing in her eyes as she caught the hint of gloating in Ishara's.

In the Blanchet family hierarchy, she was constantly oppressed, and it had taken her great effort to secure this job at ST. She couldn't let Ishara ruin her career. No one would help her.

Melanie's heart sunk as she bit her lip...

"Mr. Rodriguez, has my subordinate Melanie made such a grave professional mistake that she deserves immediate dismissal?" Suddenly, Winnie's voice broke through.

Melanie turned, hope flickering in her eyes.

Winnie walked out of her office, heels clicking, a slight figure against Lawrence's dominant authority.

Yet, she walked straight up to Lawrence and Ishara.

Observing the protective way he held Ishara almost in his embrace, a flicker of coldness crossed Winnie's eyes.

Her presence shifted something in Ishara, whose sly purpose wasn't just to get Melanie fired. Her endgame involved Winnie.

Protecting Melanie was sure to strike a nerve with Lawrence.

"Lawrence, I need to apply some cold water first; it hurts so bad..." Ishara, tears choking her voice, clutched at Lawrence's shirt and practically collapsed into his arms.

Normally, Lawrence would have instinctively pushed her away.

However, Winnie was watching him icily, with anger and scorn. Her unappealing demeanor from that morning still stoked his ire. Lawrence felt conflicted.

With one arm supporting Ishara, he shot Winnie a disdainful look. "Do I need permission from an assistant manager to fire someone?"

"Are you blind? Your little favorite pushed Ishara, scalding her ankle on purpose."

"She's indispensable to me, so I will punish Melanie! Terminate her!"

"Hold on!" Winnie snapped back, her voice razor-sharp. "So, just because Ishara can't be harmed, she's allowed to falsely accuse Melanie and get her fired?"