Husband With Benefits
Chapter 354: Nepotism

Chapter 354: Nepotism

Isabella sat at her desk, her gaze occasionally drifting toward the closed door on the side. Unexpectedly, she found herself working for Ian Frost, despite lacking hands-on experience and possessing only minimal qualifications.

She’d seen the questions on the faces of the people in the office when Miss North had ’introduced’ her while announcing that her only credentials were that she’d been recommended by the ’boss’ himself.

"Miss Ruffalo, instead of daydreaming about the boss, it would be more productive if you graced us with your attention on sorting those invoices," Tiara North remarked snidely.

Isabella raised an eyebrow in response. It seemed Miss North had taken an instant disliking to her. And was now bent on picking up a fight. Tsk tsk. The woman did not know how thick skinned she was.

With a subtle but confident smile, she replied, "Certainly, Miss North. I’ll get right on those invoices, and maybe, in the process, I’ll uncover the secret to catching the boss’s attention as efficiently as you have." The hint of sarcasm lingered in her words, leaving a sly undertone as she redirected her focus to the task at hand.

Miss North’s face reddened with a mix of anger and speechlessness at Isabella’s retort. Clenching her jaw, she retorted, "You may want to focus on your work instead of trying to be clever, Miss Ruffalo. You may have been recommended but that does not give you the right to slack off. Whatever you did to get that recommendation from him, it won’t work again. He does not sleep with employees."

"Miss North. You’re mistaken. It wasn’t Ian Frost who recommended me. And... I don’t think I had to get on my knees..."

She let that statement hang in air as she,as she shamelessly revealed that she had witnessed the entire scene earlier. Isabella had not intended to reveal any claws to the woman, but really, this woman was getting on her nerves. And she did not believe in taking things lying down. It would be only detrimental in the long term. She started as she meant to go on. If anyone wanted to make jibes, they better be prepared to receive some too.

Miss North’s expression transformed from anger to sheer speechlessness as she marched forward," Miss Ruffalo, you..."

Just then, a cold voice cut through the tension, "What is going on here?"

Ian Frost stood at the doorway, his piercing gaze shifting between Isabella and Miss North.

Tiara North quickly whirled around and apologized," Its’ nothing Mr. Frost. Miss Ruffalo seemed to have a few questions after I have repeatedly explained these things to her. Its alright, I’ll explain it to her. She’s inexperienced after all."

Isabella’s eyes narrowed at the barb. The woman was something. She was already trying to undermine her. Just as she opened her mouth to respond, Ian answered, "Miss North, a student is only as smart as the teacher makes them. Make sure the lesson is clear. Miss Ruffalo, you will be following me for the post-Lunch meeting at the downtown hotel today. Miss North can explain the details to you."

"But sir, I was going to lead that meeting... I’ve been preparing for months..."

"Miss North. That meeting was a chance for you to prove yourself and advance within frost Industries. Since you are resigning, you can handover the work done to Miss Ruffalo."

"But..."

"You are smart enough to not argue, Miss North."

***

Isabella packed her things for the day, finally breathing a sigh of relief. She’d been worried for nothing about Ian pitying her and thus sending the job offer through Nora. Working for him could be considered a punishment, if anything.

The man was a slave driver. All day, he’d been sending work her way, demanding results with an unyielding intensity.

And then there were all those people who seemed ready to attack her just because she was ’recommended’. It was as if the mere mention of Ian Frost’s endorsement had painted a target on her back. Colleagues eyed her with skepticism, attributing her position to favoritism rather than merit. They did not even consider that she might be actually qualified even if she lacked the experience and treated her as if she had below average intelligence.

She couldn’t help but wonder if she had stepped into a battlefield rather than an office.

Still, Isabella refused to let the hostility deter her. She was determined to prove herself since she’d been given the chance. If nothing else, she’d learn and gain experience. Offices these days, they almost expected that a twenty something frish graduate should have as many years of work experience. Working experience for Ian Frost would definitely look good on her resume.

As she entered the elevator, Ian followed her inside. She’d not even realized that the man was behind her.

"Isabella? How was your first day? Did you have any more...adventures?", the teasing man had her sending him a second glance. The man had some kind of a split personality? All day he’d been barking orders at her, calling her formally,Miss Ruffalo this and that. She’d not been called Miss Ruffalo in all her life as many times as she’d been called that today.

And now he was teasing her... And then he tapped her nose and grinned even more," Isabella? Why are you looking dazed?"

"You’re not calling me Miss Ruffalo?"

Ian seemed taken aback as he shook his head," Of course not. This is outside of work hours. Come on, I’ll take you home."

Isabella shook her head at that," Uh. No need. I’ll go myself."

"Why? Your house is away from here and on my way. So it’s not much of a difference. Do you have other plans?"

Ian did not know why he was pushing but the thought of Isabella going back to see that abusive man had somehow been troubling him so he’d decided that the best option to take care of that would be to spend as much time of the day with her as possible. As long as she was in front of him, he wouldn’t have to worry about her.

Of course, he did not think behind the reason for his worry and ignored the little niggling that his heart seemed to be doing. As far as he was concerned, he was looking out for a friend.

This content is taken from (f)reewe(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦