A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 184

"Then call and ask him when he's coming back!" Xenia snapped, trying to force her anger down. Every time she thought about Herbert getting so close to Starla, and how Starla's audacity was fueled by his support, her resolve hardened. She had to win him over, no matter what.

Though the receptionist clearly disliked women like her, she couldn't dismiss the possibility that Xenia was telling the truth. Although no one at the company had ever heard of Mr. Farley having a fiancée, she knew she had to report it.

"May I have your name, please?"

"Xenia Yelchin!" she bit out, as if her name alone should have granted her access.

What was with the look this girl was giving her? The moment she and Herbert were official, the first thing she would do was have this insolent receptionist fired. The nerve!

The receptionist called Herbert's assistant, Rudolf. He answered quickly. "Hello?"

"Rudolf, there's a woman here claiming to be Mr. Farley's fiancée. She wants to go up to his office."

"What?" Rudolf exclaimed.

"A Ms. Yelchin. She says she's Mr. Farley's fiancée and brought him lunch. She's asking when he'll be back."

The receptionist put a heavy emphasis on the word "fiancée," her eyes darting toward Xenia as she spoke.

Xenia met her gaze, feeling her anger surge. Was this how Herbert managed his staff? Was this how they treated all visitors?

A ten-second silence followed on the other end of the line. The receptionist began to wonder if the call had been disconnected.

"Rudolf?" she asked cautiously.

"Mr. Farley says to throw her out."

"I'm sorry, miss, but I don't have that authority," the receptionist replied calmly.

Xenia froze. She didn't have the authority. Of course, a receptionist wouldn't. Which meant the order had come from... Herbert.

"He's not out at all, is he? He's been upstairs this whole time!" Xenia seethed. "He's refusing to see me?"

"Please don't make this difficult for me, I—"

“Smack!”

Before the receptionist could finish her sentence, Xenia slapped her hard across the face.

Just at that moment, Herbert and Rudolf walked in through the main entrance, witnessing the entire scene.