From Rags to God of War

Fired

Isabella looked at Nicholas, her heart pounding. There was a lot she needed to process. A sudden marriage, Nicholas's mysterious identity, and now this house.

"Nicholas," Isabella said, "How about tonight we sleep in different rooms? I need some time."

Nicholas looked at Isabella, his expression unreadable. Isabella braced herself for an argument, or at least questions. However, Nicholas just nodded.

"Of course," Nicholas replied, without much questioning. "The master bedroom is over there." Nicholas pointed towards the corridor upstairs. "I'll sleep in the guest room."

Isabella was surprised by Nicholas's easy response. Nicholas was indeed strange, but he also respected her.

Isabella entered the master bedroom. Tired, she intended to sleep immediately. She took off her gown, and one by one, the accessories clinging to her body.

While she was busy, a message came in on her phone. From Elsa. Isabella opened the message.

'Gilbert says he's going to settle the score!'

Isabella sighed. Gilbert still wouldn't give up.

...

Morning approached. A delicious aroma of cooking suddenly wafted through the air, filling Isabella's nostrils. Who was cooking?

She knew that in a house this large, there must be housekeepers, but it was still very early.

Isabella decided to get up. After washing up and putting on a silk blouse and pencil skirt, she left the room.

Isabella found Nicholas in the kitchen. He was busy at the stove, flipping pancakes.

Nicholas turned when he sensed Isabella's presence. A faint smile touched his face.

"Morning," Nicholas greeted. "I made breakfast."

Isabella was surprised. Nicholas was willing to prepare breakfast for them.

"Morning," Isabella replied.

As he set down the pancakes, Nicholas asked, "Why are you already dressed up? Where are you going?"

"I'm going to the office," Isabella replied.

"The office?" Nicholas raised an eyebrow. "Aren't we just married? You should be resting."

"I can't. There's something I need to take care of," Isabella said.

Nicholas merely gave a faint smile, returning his focus to his cooking. "Sit down. Have breakfast first. I'll drive you later."

Isabella sat, but her eyebrows were still furrowed as if she was contemplating something.

"Eat," Nicholas said. Then, he sat opposite Isabella.

Isabella took a fork, slowly piercing her pancake. It tasted delicious, far exceeding her expectations.

"It turns out, you can cook," Isabella murmured, trying to lighten the mood.

Nicholas smiled faintly. "There are many things you don't know about me." His eyes looked at Isabella, full of mystery.

Isabella averted her gaze, continuing her breakfast. After finishing a few pieces, she put down her fork.

"You don't have to drive me."

Nicholas raised an eyebrow. "Why? I promised I'd drive you. Besides, this is your first day working as a wife, isn't it?"

Isabella sighed. She knew Nicholas didn't mean any harm. However, she also knew what her family was like.

"It's better if you don't," Isabella said.

Nicholas's face hardened slightly, but he remained calm. "Why? Are you worried they'll cause more trouble?"

Isabella nodded. "Last night's chaos was enough. I don't want things to get even more complicated."

She knew her family must have already planned new drama. Nicholas's arrival at the Weber Group office would only complicate the situation and trap her further in the middle. She wanted to work in peace, at least for today.

"I understand," Nicholas said. "You're afraid I'll cause another scene."

"It's not that I'm afraid *you'll* cause a scene," Isabella quickly retorted, feeling a little embarrassed. "I just don't want them to provoke you again, and for you to get drawn in."

"Alright," Nicholas finally said, a decision made. "In that case, I won't drive you."

"Thank you."

"But I will still drive you to the gates of Weber Group," Nicholas added firmly. "And if anyone dares to bother you on the way, they will face the consequences."

"Okay," Isabella conceded, finally giving in. "But please, don't make any trouble, okay?"

Nicholas just nodded, a small smile playing on the corner of his lips.

Nicholas dropped Isabella off at the main gates of Weber Group. His car stopped a bit away from the main entrance, as Isabella had requested.

"Be careful," Nicholas said as Isabella was about to get out. "If anything happens, call me."

Isabella nodded. "Yes, I know."

After making sure Isabella was inside the building, Nicholas left.

...

Isabella entered the lobby of Weber Group. The atmosphere there felt different. There were whispers, strange glances directed at her. Employees who usually greeted her now pretended to be busy. Something was amiss.

She quickened her pace towards the elevator, pressing the button for her office floor.

The elevator doors opened. Isabella stepped out, then walked down the corridor. A jolt of surprise hit her when she saw her office door slightly ajar. Her office should have been empty this early in the morning.

With a frown, Isabella stepped inside. Inside, Elsa was comfortably seated in Isabella's office chair, her legs crossed on the desk, playing on her phone. A steaming cup of coffee sat beside her.

"Elsa?!" Isabella exclaimed. Anger immediately surged within her. "What are you doing in my office?!"

Elsa looked up, giving her a mocking smile. "Oh my, Isabella. Or should I say Mrs. Nicholas Krause now?" She put down her phone, then looked Isabella up and down.

"Get out of my office right now!" Isabella ordered, her hands clenched into fists.

Elsa chuckled. "Your office? It's not your office anymore." She rose from the chair, then leaned against the desk, still with that annoying smile. "Congratulations, you managed to create quite a drama last night. But as a result, you have to lose this." She waved her hand around the room.

Isabella felt her blood boil. "What do you mean? Don't talk nonsense!"

"Nonsense?" Elsa snorted. "You think Gilbert will stay silent after you and Nicholas humiliated him in public? He called Dad and said that if you still held a position at Weber Group, his father would withdraw all his investments!"

Isabella's eyes widened. "What?!" Gilbert was truly ruthless. And her father? Why would he let this happen?

"Yes, 'what'!" Elsa retorted. "The Thompson family's investment in Weber Group is no joke, Isabella! Hundreds of millions of dollars! If it's withdrawn, Dad could go bankrupt! So, Dad had no choice. You have to be removed from your position."

Isabella had worked hard for years to achieve her position. She built her career at Weber Group from the bottom up. And now, just because of Gilbert, she had to lose everything?

"This is unacceptable!" Isabella fumed. "I'm going to see Dad right now! I'm going to confront Gilbert! He can't just do this!"

Elsa gave a disdainful look. "Confront Gilbert? Who do you think you are? He has bigger connections than you can imagine. And if you go to Dad, he won't be able to do anything. Do you think Dad will sacrifice his company for you and that beggar Nicholas?"

"Nicholas is not a beggar!" Isabella cried out. "And Dad and Mom can't do this to me!"

Elsa laughed cynically. "Your own fault for defending Nicholas. So, just be prepared for the consequences."