Chapter 36: He Did Not Believe Her

“Ah?” Janet looked at him surprisingly; she did not know what she did wrong.

Joshua glanced at her coldly. Janet was scared at the sight of his expression and left without saying another word.

He was annoyed and called Hazel, but as he expected, he could not get it through.

He assumed that she had blocked his number.

Joshua furrowed his eyebrows. He thought it through but was unable to figure out what had happened.

Hazel went to visit him yesterday though it was not on her own. However, she had stayed and eaten a meal with him.

Everything was fine at that time, so why would she do this to him the next day.

Joshua called Jaxson into his office.

“Jaxson,” Joshua said to him in a profound voice, “Was there something unusual when you escorted Hazel back to school yesterday?”

“Sorry, sir.” Jaxson apologized, “It was Janet who drove Hazel back yesterday.”

Jaxson told Joshua what had happened yesterday. He was a little nervous. Did something happen on the way back to the school?

Joshua was in a furious state. It seemed that it was because of Janet.

“Jaxson, go check to see where Hazel’s money came from. And more importantly, contact her roommates to see where she is now.” He commanded.

Jaxson left the office in a hurry. He contacted Hazel’s roommates to find out she was gone for a few days and wasn’t at school. They explained they could not reach her either.

Jaxson was so ashamed now. He realized that something must have happened to Hazel yesterday.

He should not have agreed to let Janet drive her back to school. He thought that being Joshua's secretary for years, she would know clearly what Joshua expects and would not do anything to make him angry. He never expected her to be so bold.

Janet was wondering what all of the commotions were when they received a call from Joshua. He ordered her to come to his office immediately.

She was surprised and very nervous, but she was not the least bit afraid.

Janet went into the office, she saw both Joshua and Jaxson there looking extremely irritated.

She smiled a professional smile and said, “Sir, how can I be of assistance?”

Joshua told her calmly, “Go to the finance department and get your salary. You are fired.”

Janet was completely caught off guard. She could not believe what she had just heard.

What did the President say? She was fired? No, it could not be true.

“Sir. I don’t know why,” Janet would not be treated like that, “Why would you do this? Have I done something wrong?”

Joshua said coldly, “Why did you give Hazel money yesterday?”

It was indeed what she had expected. She assumed he would ask her about it, but she had never thought that he would fire her because of such a small indiscretion.

A flash of hatred appeared in Janet’s eyes. Then she spoke to Joshua innocently, “Sir, you cannot blame me for that. Miss Hazel told me she had a dress and a pair of shoes to sell and she hoped that I would pay the original price. I was not willing to at first, but she kept begging me. I got the impression that there was an urgent reason she needed the money, so I bought them to help her.”

“They were bought by Mr. President.” Jaxson could not help but say, “Miss Janet, you just met her yesterday, why would she chose to sell them to you.?”

“How could I know?” She refuted, “Maybe she just loves money and wanted to sell them as quickly as possible.”

“If she really wanted money, why wouldn’t she ask our President directly for it? Are you wealthier than he is?”

“Maybe she wanted Mr. President to misinterpret my intentions. See, she was successful.”

She felt mistreated and looked at Joshua, “Sir, I’ve been working for you for five years. How many people have you known that long? Will you actually believe a girl you have only known for a few days over a secretary you have known for five years?

Joshua's expression became colder.

“Get out,” Joshua said to her emotionlessly. “Go to the finance department now. Jaxson will give you the money you paid for the clothes but remember to return the clothes.”

It was like a basin of cold water was pouring her from head to toe. She was in great agony. She had explained the situation to him, and as his secretary for the last five years, he did not believe her?

“Why, sir? You must explain to me.” She questioned him. “The reason you are firing me is that I bought Miss Hazel’s clothes? It does not make any sense. I am an experienced employee here. Don’t you think such a rash decision would sadden us?”

“Well, it seems that you realize that you are just an employee here.” He squinted at her. He was very impatient now, “You want a reason? You have been my secretary for five years, I did not fire you before because you knew your position. But, now…”

His words were like thunder, making her shake. Her face turned pale, and she staggered backward.

It turned out that Joshua knew all about her life, he knew about her thoughts and her endeavors. She was too naïve and had believed that he would not punish her.

However, she forgot she was just a secretary to Joshua. He was self-disciplined and did not think of her as any more than an employee.

She behaved herself before and did her job well. Now, she made this one mistake, and he ruthlessly dismissed her.

“I only need employees. That has always been the same and will remain that way for a long time to come.” Joshua looked at her coldly and showed no sign of emotion.

She was tormented even more now. She did not expect him to be so determined. She turned around and left the office.

“Sir…” Jaxson felt sympathy for her as he watched her leave.

“I don’t need a secretary that wants to be involved in my personal life,” Joshua said. “Go search for Hazel.”

Jaxson agreed and went to find her immediately. Though he sympathized with what happened to Janet, he also admired Joshua for being so decisive in dealing with this. Janet knew Joshua's character and still dared to challenge him. Jaxson believed she reaped what she sewed.

Hazel fell asleep while Ivan was driving. After a long while, she heard him calling her name.

“Have we arrived?” She asked in a dazed voice.

“Yes. You can get out now.” Ivan opened the door for her.