Ellison And Joycelyn: A Love Beyond The Rules Novel

Chapter 19 Chapter 19 C Fit4 / 0 +23 At half past nine , Joycelyn pulled into the parking lot in the office building and hurried out of the car .

This time , she didnt wait for Ellison behind her and headed straight to the elevator by herself .

Ellison sat in his Rolls Royce , looking at the back of Joycelyns figure .

He seemed to be reminiscing about their lovemaking session in the bathroom earlier before theyd left the house .

It hadnt been enough .

Although Joycelyn had tried to speed things up , she was still half an hour late .

Thankfully , all the departments on her floor had to attend a sudden general meeting in the conference room so she didnt bump into anyone on her way up , and she snuck into the meeting room through the back door .

Selene happened to be there , though , and she remarked , Why are you late again ? Did something happen ? Eh , kind of .

Were you late too ? Joycelyn said , her face a little flushed .

She had hurried the whole way here and she was also embarrassed by the question .

Yeah .

Luckily , attendance isnt being taken today so I can hold on to my perfect attendance record , Selene replied with a sly grin .

Yeah , we got lucky , Joycelyn replied .

It seems like Mr.

Grant decided to conduct a surprise inspection Fortunately , its targeted at the directors and not small fry like us .

Linda was called out because her report wasnt as satisfactory as it shouldve been , Selene explained the situation with a hint of mockery in her voice .

Joycelyn , on her part , only bit her lip sheepishly when she heard the mention of Ellison .

No wonder he had told her earlier that hed fix the problem of her being late .

Luckily , shed only been half an hour late .

If it were any longer , the company policy was that youd be considered absent for a day , and you wouldnt even need to show up then .

Shed only been asked to tie a tie and didnt expect that things would quickly spiral out of control and end up that way .

Thinking of it now , Joycelyn felt a new wave of embarrassment .

Selene hadnt noticed the change in Joycelyns demeanor .

She subtly took out a picture and showed it to Joycelyn .

You left in such a hurry yesterday that I didnt get a chance to talk to you Look here , this is my senior .

Hes a very eligible bachelor .

What do you think ? The picture was of a handsome young man dressed in hiking gear .

With the backdrop of steep mountain ranges , it was obvious that this man had a passion for life .

Oh .

He seems nice , Joycelyn answered flatly .

Selene offered , Do you want me to set you up with him ? Hes good looking , hes studied and traveled abroad , and hes the only son in a middle class family .

No , thats alright .

I dont think Id be comfortable with that , Joycelyn laughed softly and shook her head .

She was married , and shed already become familiar with a man of Ellisons caliber .

She felt she wouldnt be awed again even if she came up close with a celebrity .

12:56 Mon , Feb 10 O Chapter 19 Are you sure ? This guy is way better than those blind dates you go on .

Just go on one date .

Think of it as making a new friend , Selene encouraged her .

I dont think so … I … I already have someone that I like , Joycelyn stammered as she thought of an excuse to decline .

+23 Selene narrowed her eyes and answered triumphantly , I knew it I knew you must have your eye on someone , but still , you know , you shouldnt give up the whole forest for a single tree .

Oh , Lindas finished her report .

Looks like the meetings about to be over , Joycelyn said hurriedly as she gathered her notebook and pens and prepared to leave .

The both of them were filing out of the conference room behind the crowd when Aurelia held them back .

The two of you , try to keep a low profile today .

Our project is being scrutinized under a microscope now .

Joycelyn and Selene felt their breath hitch at that and immediately put their guards up .

Our largest project is way off schedule , while the other departments have already completed their tasks ahead of time , Aurelia explained .

At that moment , they saw Linda walk past them .

She was holding a file , and there was an ominous shadow across her face , Aurelia immediately snapped her mouth shut and signaled to the other two to be quiet .

Back at their desks , there was an eerie quiet hanging over the department .

Everyone seemed to be bracing themselves for the shitstorm that was about to happen .

True enough , after about ten minutes , Linda came storming out of her office with some documents in her hand and a stern look on her face .

Her eyes searched the employees , and she snapped , Joycelyn ! Youve already worked here for two years .

How could you still be making such low level mistakes ? She threw the documents in her hand onto Joycelyns desk .

Joycelyn picked them up calmly and looked through them , frowning slightly .

Didnt you give your approval for this proposal ? she asked .

She remembered it as clear as day .

Everything in the business plan , from the schedule and funding to the follow up investments , had been perused by Linda and subsequently given the go ahead .

Linda responded by raising her voice even louder .

Your proposal requires more than five times the allocated budget .

The other departments have managed to complete their projects without any issue at just a fraction of their budgets .

Are you treating the companys cash like toy money ? With the way things are , I wouldnt be surprised if I found out that you actually had some kind of vested interest with the investors and youre waiting for kickbacks .

Because of you , the whole department has been accused of being incompetent .

Are you trying to get all of us fired ? Joycelyn hadnt expected such a strong accusation from Linda , but she looked up calmly and stared back at her .

I arranged these joint ventures based on your suggestions and instructions .

looked for investors that required the lowest costs but offered the best quality .

You were the one who signed off in the end , but now youre trying to pin the blame on me ? The entire office was quiet except for Lindas vicious scoldings and Joycelyns calm but firm responses .

Come with me to my office , Linda commanded .

She realized that her accusations didnt hold any water and decided to continue their discussion in a less public setting .

Joycelyn had a clear conscience and the logic and evidence to back herself up , so she followed Linda .

2/3 12:56 Mon , Feb 10 O Chapter 19 4 / % +23 Aurelia then picked up the proposal and looked through it .

These investors all have a personal relationship with Linda .

Shed had a personal agenda when engaging them , and now shes trying to pin it all on Joycelyn , she declared angrily .

Damn right .

Joycelyns not going to do down like this , Selene agreed .

In Lindas office , Joycelyn entered after Linda , and the latter ordered , Close the door .

Joycelyn did as she was instructed .

After she closed the door , she continued to wear a look of quiet confidence and calm .

In her mind , she was focused on finding a solution to the problem at hand .

Linda started , Joycelyn , on the morning of the annual general meeting , I seem to recall you leaving Mr.

Grants office sneakily .

I wonder if I was mistaken .

Her tone was filled with sarcasm , and her eyes were full of jealousy as she looked at Joycelyns elegant features .

You were mistaken , Joycelyn replied .

* Fortunately , I took a picture of that persons back view .

I think anyone who knows this person would recognize them in an instant , Linda said ..

Joycelyns heart clenched .

She glanced at the picture on Lindas phone screen and realized it was indeed her .

During the annual meeting , all the rooms at the hotel near the conference center were booked by the company .

You cant say with absolute certainty that the person in that picture was me .

Would you like to venture a guess as to whether Ive seen the hotels surveillance tapes ? Lindas retorted haughtily .

Her eyes burned with jealousy .

The man she had a crush on for years had never even glanced at her .

A cold look crossed Joycelyns delicate features as she weighed the situation inwardly .

Linda continued without waiting for a response .

I suppose its inevitable that some men are attracted to women like you with delicate features .

Unfortunately , looks alone are not enough I went to the same school as Mr.

Grant , and I know all about his romantic history .

Youre nothing but a plaything to him .

If you dont want to be known as a woman who exchanges sex for favors , then youd better come with me to renegotiate these contracts .

If you do , Ill do you a favor and pretend all this never happened .

Linda toyed with the fountain pen on her table , and her tone softened .

If youre looking for a man , I can introduce you to plenty of rich ones .

Mr.

Grant is not someone you will ever be worthy of .

12:56 Mon , Feb 10 O