No Second Chances Ex-husband (Lauren and Ethan) novel Chapter 99

CHAPTER 099

LAUREN’S POV

The manager followed the direction of my gaze, her head tilting ever so slightly as her sharp eyes scanned the room. A moment later, recognition flickered across her face.

“Oh, Cassandra,” she said smoothly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “She’s my personal assistant. And…” the manager gestured with a subtle nod of her chin, “-she’s coming over here right now.”

My lips pressed into a thin line. Of course, she was. Just perfect.

—

my chance to demand an explanation for her Part of me felt relieved though. Finally, here was my chance attitude toward me the last time we crossed paths. Normally, I avoid unnecessary interactions. People are exhausting, and frankly, most of the time, they aren’t worth the energy it takes to engage them. But this Cassandra…

She got my attention with her attitude alone.

She broke my phone. She smacked my hand away when all I had done was try to help. And she did it without hesitation, without remorse. At first, I hadn’t even believed she worked at headquarters. After all, nearly everyone there knew who I was. And no, I’m not trying to sound overly proud, it’s simply the truth. My name carries weight in that company. My position demands a certain level of respect. Anyone aware of my importance would never dare to treat me so dismissively.

Even this manger knew that, she and I don’t exactly like each other either. I’m not blind to that fact. But at least she pretends, I am seeing her making efforts to be more nice and trying to maintain civility because she knows it’s necessary. Cassandra hadn’t even bothered with that.

So yes, I was going to get my answer tonight. She was going to tell me why she thought she could treat me that

way.

The silence between us stretched as we both waited for Cassandra to approach. My eyes followed her every step, my mind replaying what I was gonna say when she got here over and over.

Finally, she reached us.

“Here’s what you asked for, ma’am,” Cassandra said softly, handing the manager a neat brown bag.

Her voice caught me off guard. It was smooth, polite, almost pleasant, even. For a moment, I blinked in disbelief. So she could talk like a decent human being.

And not just to anyone the manager of all people. She could bow her head and speak with respect when it suited her. That meant it wasn’t about her being rude to everyone in general. No. It was specific. Personal,

Directed at me.

That thought churned in my chest like acid.

I studied her more closely now, narrowing my eyes. The manager accepted the bag with her usual professional smile, but Cassandra’s gaze flickered just briefly toward me.

1/3

And there it was. That look.

Her eyes, sharp and venomous, cut into me like knives. The same look she had given me at the office. Cold. Calculated. Almost murderous.

It was the kind of look that said she’d strangle me if she could get away with it.

I stiffened but kept my expression calm, neutral. Fine. If this was how she wanted to play it, then she needed to learn a very important lesson: you don’t get to look at me like that. Not me.

“Have you two met?” the manager’s voice broke through my thoughts, smooth and deliberate. She must have probably noticed the way Cassandra was glaring at me

Perfect. That was my opening.

“As a matter of fact,” I said, tilting my head slightly and letting a sarcastic grin spread across my lips, “we have.”

The manager raised a brow. “I’m guessing you met her yesterday at the office?”

“Yes.” I folded my arms, my voice cool, almost casual, though inside I relished the moment. “But she wasn’t exactly welcoming.”

The manager’s gaze sharpened. “What do you mean?”

I didn’t hesitate. My eyes stayed locked on Cassandra’s face, watching the tension build in her jaw. “She bumped into me,” I said evenly. “Which caused my phone to break. She didn’t say anything about it. And even when I tried helping her, she smacked my hand.”

I could almost hear the shift in the atmosphere, the way my words landed. The way Cassandra’s face flushed with restrained anger. Her lips parted, but she bit down on her lower lip before a word could escape. She looked like someone fighting to contain herself, to keep herself from saying something she’d regret.

Interesting.

“Is that so, Ms. Cassandra?” the manager asked, her tone deceptively calm but carrying a sharp edge.

I watched closely. Cassandra’s defiance didn’t vanish, but she quickly redirected her attention. Her head bowed, her gaze lowered to the floor like an obedient child caught misbehaving.

Oh, so she could show respect. Just not to me.

The contrast was infuriating. She could humble herself for the manager, yet when it came to me, her eyes burned with contempt.

The manager didn’t miss a beat. “I’m sure you’re well aware of who she is. Now apologize.”

There was a pause, a long one, Cassandra’s fists clenched at her sides, the knuckles whitening as though she had to force herself to obey. She clearly didn’t want to apologize, Her body screamed resistance, but the

command left her no choice.

At last, she lifted her gaze back to me. Anger simmered in her expression, but her words came out clipped,

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