When Regret Came, I Was Already Gone

Tamara's POV

The deal had been finalized a month ago, and Fowler Corporation’s first investment was a whopping 800 million.

What I didn’t expect was for Mr. Fowler to show up for a surprise inspection.

And even more unexpected? He brought Lindsay with him.

Somehow, she’d managed to become his assistant.

Since I was the lead on this project, it was my job to step up and manage the situation. When I faced Lindsay, I stayed calm and professional, not letting any emotion show.

Mr. Fowler was very impressed with our company.

During the lunch break, I went to the break room to get some water. Lindsay followed me in.

Seeing we were alone, she finally spoke, her tone slow and mocking. “Why’d you hang up on me that night? Wasn’t I moaning sweeter than you ever could?”

She looked at me, eyes gleaming with challenge.

But I smiled coldly. “I’m picky with my tastes. I don’t waste time on free adult films.”

I turned to leave, but she blocked the door, refusing to let me pass.

“I heard Louie dumped you,” she sneered. “Guess that baby of yours is just a bastard now. What are you planning to do with it?”

“Watch your mouth,” I warned, keeping my cool. I didn’t want to get dragged into her drama.

I tried to push past her. But out of nowhere, she yanked me by the arm and then threw boiling hot tea straight at my stomach.

The scalding liquid hit me hard. Then, before I could react, she let out a high-pitched scream.

“Tamara! What did I ever do to you for you to throw boiling water at me?!”

Her shriek drew attention immediately. People rushed toward the break room from all directions.

Standing in the middle of the crowd, she raised her now-red arm and put on her most pitiful expression, tears shimmering in her eyes.

“Miss Bishop, I swear there’s nothing going on between me and your boyfriend. If you’re upset, I get it. If throwing tea at me helps you feel better, go ahead and pour another cup. I can take it.”

I was stunned. The way she switched faces was almost a talent.

“Miss Bishop,” Mr. Fowler suddenly spoke up from the crowd, standing protectively behind Lindsay. “Do you have a personal issue with my assistant?”

My boss looked at me, panicked and furious. “Tamara, what’s going on here?” he demanded.

He was clearly worried the investment would fall apart if Mr. Fowler got angry.

Clutching my burning stomach, I frowned and said, “Boss, Mr. Fowler. There’s a security camera in the break room. Why don’t we just pull the footage and see exactly what happened?”

Both men nodded immediately.

“No, that’s too much trouble! It’s fine, really!” Lindsay quickly tried to intervene, her voice faltering. “I don’t want to cause any tension in the partnership.”

But her panic gave her away.

Clearly, this whole stunt had been spontaneous. She hadn’t counted on there being cameras.

Neither Mr. Fowler nor my boss paid her any attention. We all headed straight for the surveillance room.

On the way there, I saw her typing a message to Louie, along with a photo of her swollen, red arm.

[I ran into Tamara at the office, and she did this to me. Well, I deserved it. I really did.]

Once the footage played, Mr. Fowler’s face darkened immediately. He looked furious.

“Lindsay,” he said coldly, “don’t bother coming in tomorrow.”

Then he turned to the group. “As for the collaboration between our companies. I’ll be creating a new subsidiary to manage the partnership. From now on, Miss Bishop will be solely in charge.”

That officially put an end to the chaos.

But a sudden voice shouted through the crowd. “Enough! All of you, ganging up on one poor girl. Have you no shame?”

Louie had just arrived, and of course, he immediately rushed to shield Lindsay behind him.