Chapter 500 - Orion Enterprise annual meeting (end)

The late afternoon became evening and events ended without further incidents. The events for the day moved to the last stage, which was the party.

More food was brought in, as well as beverages. Seating was swiftly rearranged to allow for a larger dancing area. Lights were dimmed and DJ was blasting music. It was a party for everyone to enjoy.

With food and drinks and music, many women calmed down their emotions toward hunky Director Martin, especially when they saw him dancing with their CEO Hill. They were holding each other, and they talked something between themselves while smiling and exchanging looks full of affection for each other.

No one can deny that CEO Hill is an impressive woman, and besides her great looks she has brains and power as well. Who can compete with that?

"No wonder she managed to get herself such a man…", one woman sighed over her cocktail.

Other three women who were seated with her at the table could only nod in agreement.

The zeal in regard to Director Martin which consumed female employees died up a bit, and their behavior normalized how the evening progressed.

Felix's unofficial fan club was still on, and many women (and few men) will still steal glances at him whenever possible, but their behavior will be much more subdued. No one will dare to make open passes on him now that they know that CEO Hill is Director Martin's fiancée.

Sophia was tired, it was a long day and she didn't enjoy the noise. She decided to head home early. Felix included, of course.

Leah assured her that she will stay until the end and take care of any issues that might come.

Stella and Edward also confirmed that they will stay until the end and help out Leah if necessary, so that Sophia does not need to worry about anything. She can go home and rest peacefully.

Sophia was grateful to know that she can rely on them and has their support. After greeting few partners who attended as VIPs she headed back home with Felix.

David left right after them. If his Boss is not there, he didn't want to stay.

JoAnna and Sarah didn't linger either, and two sisters left with Jeff and Aiden. They came to support Sophia and Felix, and if two of them are leaving that is a green light for others to leave as well. JoAnna and Jeff went to her apartment, and Sarah and Aiden went to Hill family villa.

Hill sisters agreed to meet for lunch next day as a last meat-up while all of them are still in Seattle.

Seeing that team events are over, and Sophia left, Isabella tried talking with Leah on few occasions, but every time Leah was busy with something and she told Isabella that she can't accompany her at that point.

Isabella noticed Leah's off-putting behavior, but she still made several attempts to approach her thinking that it might be due to stress or some other reason which is not related to her. But after some time, Isabella decided to give up and head back to her hotel. If Leah does not want to make time for her, what can she do? Also, it was obvious that at least two times Leah was not busy and was just making up an excuse. This hurt Isabella. She was not sure what happened for Leah to start pushing her away, but if Leah is not talking, how can she make her?

Isabella swallowed her hurt pride and found Leah before leaving the party. Leah was chatting with few other people. Isabella tapped Leah's shoulder to get her attention.

"I know you are busy…", Isabella immediately said before Leah could. "This will take just a minute."

Leah closed her mouth and waited to hear what Isabella has to say. Image of Isabella and that man was still vivid in her mind and she was not able to make even a polite expression.

"Here…", Isabella extended her hand with a silver pen recorder toward Leah. "I recorded member of team Venus from scavenger hunt. He was drunk and ended up telling me what they did and who is involved. I believe Sophia can use that… I would give her myself, but it seems she left, and I know you will meet with her first thing in the morning. Please make sure she gets this."

Leah didn't respond. She took the recorder.

"Have a good night." Isabella turned and left without waiting for Leah to respond.

Isabella exited HQ building and decided to walk to her hotel. It is only five blocks away and walk on a fresh summer night can help her clear her mind. She didn't want to think of what happened, but her mind was drifting toward Leah's cold behavior and obvious rejection.

Isabella remembered that she talked with Leah online on many occasions and thought that she is a friendly, smart and a nice person overall… and now they met in person and hit it off well. It took Isabella a lot of courage to approach Leah, and she was happy that she was not rejected… but how did it turn out like this? 'Maybe she changed her mind… I should just forget about it… that's the best. It's not like it's my first time to be rejected… but I wish to know what I did to offend her…'

…

Back at the Orion Enterprise HQ building, Leah was staring in the direction of the main door for some time before thought came to her mind. 'What if that man I saw her with was this team member she recorded? She was collecting evidence for Sophia, and I misunderstood…' Leah felt another knot in her chest forming. She snapped out of her daze and went upstairs with intention to listen to the recording. Leah needed to confirm if that man was the one who confessed their misdeeds and she made a huge mistake… and ended up hurting Isabella by avoiding her…

…

Leah is sitting in her office and holding her head in hands while scolding herself. She just finished listening to the recording. She didn't listen to everything recorded, there was no need because in first few minutes Leah confirmed her suspicion.

Right at the beginning of audio file, Isabella is offering a beer to someone and introduces herself. He is obviously happy that a cute redhead brought him beer and introduced himself as Bryan. Isabella asked him if he is an employee of Orion Enterprise and what he does, and he responded that he is a software developer…

Leah used PC in her office to find employee information on Bryan and confirmed based on his photo taken for employee ID that he is a young man, brown hair… and he is definitely the one Isabella was chatting with when Leah saw them.

Leah knows that she messed up. But she does not have time to feel sorry for herself now. She needs to go back downstairs and to make sure everything is in order until people disperse. She checked time. 'One hour and seventeen-minutes until party is over…' Leah stood up and headed to Sophia's office. She kept the pen recorder in the top drawer of Sophia's desk and then headed down where party is.