My Ruthless Ex Demands by Eva Blackwood Episode 326

Norris Group.
Elijah skimmed through the proposal with a glare sharp enough to cut glass. His voice, cold and clipped, sliced through the air. “Do you think I stayed late just to entertain this half-baked nonsense?”
Without so much as a second glance, he flicked the folder from his hand, sending its contents fluttering to the floor like fallen leaves in a storm.
The executive, composed just moments ago, felt his confidence evaporate like dew under a harsh sun. Beads of cold sweat dotted his forehead as panic began to bubble beneath the surface.
Dropping to his knees, he scrambled to gather the scattered papers. “Mr. Norris, I’ll redo it immediately and have it back on your desk for review,” he stammered, the desperation in his voice.
Elijah’s face became even sterner than before.
The executive, unsure which of his words had poured gasoline on the fire, clutched the disheveled folder to his chest and made a hasty retreat. As he opened the door, he nearly collided with Oliver, who was just entering.
The executive’s eyes lit up with a flicker of hope. He shut the door behind him and pulled Oliver aside as if holding onto a lifeline. “Oliver, has Mr. Norris been fighting with Ms. Elizabeth lately?”
There had been whispers around the office that Elijah, who had recently seemed almost human thanks to his improving relationship with Ms. Elizabeth, had reverted to his usual frosty demeanor. Naturally, tongues wagged, speculating about cracks in their marriage.
Oliver’s voice was calm, like a soothing balm. “Just keep an eye on the clock and make sure dinner isn’t delayed for Mr. and Ms. Norris. Trust me, their relationship is fine.”
The others, sent back to salvage their work, caught wind of this exchange. A wave of realization swept through them, and they quickly chimed in, voices full of forced cheer. “Thanks for the tip, Oliver. Please remind Mr. Norris to head home early and spend some time with Ms. Elizabeth. We’ll email the revisions to you directly. Take a look for us, would you? And tomorrow’s coffee is on us.”
With that, they scurried away, grateful to escape the blast radius.
Oliver shook his head, a wry smile tugging at his lips. Pushing open the door, he stepped into the empty meeting room.
Elijah, clearly aware of the chatter outside, looked up from his phone. “Have they cleared out?”
“Yes,” Oliver replied, tidying the papers left behind. “So, are you heading home for dinner with Ms. Elizabeth?”
Elijah’s tone was as flat as a calm sea before a storm. “She’s having dinner with her friend.”
Oliver’s eyes sparkled with mischief as he suggested, “Then why not surprise her and pick her up?”
Elijah didn’t object, glancing again at his phone to read the message from Elizabeth.
The mall she was at wasn’t far from the office.
At the mall.
Willow dropped to her knees before Elizabeth, her voice trembling with exaggerated grief. “Ms. Norris, I’ve worked my fingers to the bone taking care of you! My family’s survival depends on me, and this is how you repay me? Firing me without cause? You rich folk treat us like we’re invisible!”
Camille froze momentarily, her mind racing. Then, recovering her wits, she stepped in front of Elizabeth, her stance protective. “Enough of this theatrical performance. Your wages have been settled. It’s not our fault that—”
But before she could finish, Willow raised her voice, her words ringing out like a bell in a quiet hall. “This so-called big star doesn’t even treat people as human! She exploits the poor!”
Curious onlookers began to gather, their murmurs swelling like a rising tide.
Elizabeth, freshly off a film set and still clad in a mask and glasses, felt their stares sharpen with speculation. The crowd buzzed with guesses about her identity.
Seizing the moment, Willow shifted tactics, dramatically sitting on the ground as if the weight of the world had crushed her. “Wages? What wages? I haven’t seen a single coin! The richer they are, the colder their hearts!”
Camille and Elizabeth exchanged a glance, their unease growing. Leaning closer, Camille whispered, “Did her salary get paid?”
Elizabeth shook her head slightly, her expression clouded.
Willow’s wages were managed by Oliver, so Elizabeth wasn’t certain of the details.
After a moment’s thought, Elizabeth addressed the growing crowd, her voice steady but firm. “If there’s an issue with your salary, you’re welcome to contact the person in charge or file for labor arbitration. But spreading false accusations in public could land you in court for defamation.”
Initially planning to mention Oliver’s name, Elizabeth decided against it. With the way rumors spread like wildfire on social media, the situation could spiral out of control.
Taking Camille’s arm, she whispered, “Let’s head home for dinner.”