Chapter 27

Sophia's words cut like a knife, mercilessly tearing through Isabella's facade.

If Vivian had been there, she would've slapped Isabella twice by now.

This woman was the epitome of a Green Tea Bitch—playing the innocent victim while scheming behind everyone's backs.

Right on cue, the performance began.

Isabella's eyes instantly welled up with tears, her voice trembling. "I was just worried about you... Why are you treating me like this?"

Her pitiful act immediately won over their coworkers.

"Sophia, you're going too far!"

"She was being kind, and this is how you repay her?"

"Ungrateful wretch..."

"Enough!"

Zachary's sharp command silenced the accusations.

Ethan Roscente emerged from his office, his expression stormy.

Isabella threw herself into his arms, tears streaming down her face. "Ethan, it's all my fault..."

He frowned at the crowd. "What's going on?"

Someone eagerly stepped forward to spin a twisted version of events.

Sophia opened her mouth to speak but swallowed her words when she met Ethan's icy glare.

"Who gave you permission to cause a scene in my company?" His voice was frigid.

Sophia's heart ached as if pierced by needles.

He wouldn't even let her explain.

The moment Isabella cried, he took her side without question.

How pathetic.

Sophia suppressed the turmoil inside and let out a cold laugh.

"Nothing to say?" Ethan's gaze turned even colder.

"Nothing."

"Good." His lips curled into a humorless smile. "Five-thousand-word self-criticism. Due by this afternoon. And your salary for this month is forfeited."

Only two hours remained before the afternoon shift.

Sophia clenched her fists. "Understood."

"One more thing." He glanced at the spilled milk tea with disgust. "Clean this up."

"...Understood."

Ethan turned to Zachary. "Make sure she does it."

Without another word, he walked away with Isabella still clinging to him.

The coworkers shot Sophia contemptuous looks.

Biting her lip, she returned to her desk, her face as pale as paper.