The Billionaire's Pretend Wife (Isabella)
Chapter 64 Sixty Four

Arnold paled at the chairman's question. He hadn't expected that he would know about his girlfriend's involvement.

The only reason he had involved Naomi in the decision-making process at the company was to please her. He never would have expected that it would come back to bite him in the ass like this.

He couldn't even deny it. Not after all the attention Naomi had brought to herself and her relationship with him. If Jason Del Mundo had told the chairman about her and he dared deny it, he would land in even more trouble.

"It's true, sir," he replied, sounding as remorseful as he could.

"I'm so disappointed in you," the chairman spat. "Is that why you rejected the draft the Larson Group submitted to you in the beginning? I checked those drafts, and they were perfect for our project. I was waiting to hear that the project was underway, only to hear that the drafts had been replaced. The first draft was far better than the second one that you approved. Do you think this company is a joke?" "No sir, I'm sorry, sir."

"What were you thinking while delegating your responsibilities to your girlfriend? Is Green Leaf your family company that you can do with it what you please? Is she even qualified to be in that position you gave her? What business does she have telling Larson Group's vice president that we'll cancel the collaboration?"

Arnold muttered another apology and pressed his lips together. His free hand fisted at his side. He was at the mercy of the chairman, and it was in his best interest to act as repentant as possible.

The chairman sighed. "Do you know how rare the chance to collaborate with the Larson Group on a project is? Are you aware that our competitors would kill to be in our shoes right now?"

"I know, sir."

"Green Leaf cannot afford to lose this opportunity because of your stupidity. I have told Larson group's vice president that I'm demoting you for putting us in this situation. It's the least I can do to show him that we are serious about this project and regret the poor handling so far."

Arnold's heart dropped to his heart at the news that he was going to be demoted. "Sir, please, give me a chance to rectify my mistake. I'll not let the company down again. I'll apologise to the Larson Group and oversee the project personally. Please, sir."

"I'm not taking back my decision," the chairman told him. "You had such an important responsibility to the company, but you showed that you're not serious about your duties. You even dared to insult the quality of their designs. You should be grateful that you're getting demoted, not fired."

With those words, the Chairman hung up the phone.

Arnold cursed and threw the phone away. It hit the coffee table before cluttering to the carpeted floor, its screen sporting a web of cracks.

He was being demoted? From being the CEO of the company to what? All because he had wanted to please a woman!

From her position, Naomi had heard the Chairman's screaming voice and known right away that her boyfriend was in trouble. She also heard the Chairman telling him that he was demoted because he had let her handle the project.

"It's all your fault," Arnold accused, turning to her. His face was red with anger. "This is all your fault and your obsession with ruining things for that sister of yours. What now? Huh? I've been demoted because of your stupidity!"

Naomi jumped to her feet. "My fault? You are the one who put me in charge of the project! How is it my fault that you're not powerful enough to make decisions on your own? What kind of CEO are you?" "You are unbelievable! Aren't you the one who begged me to put you in charge in the first place? Do you even know how companies work? We are done, get out of my house!"

"What?"

"I'm breaking up with you," he snapped. "I don't want to see you ever again. Get the fuck out of my house."

"I'm not going anywhere," she shot back. "I did not do anything wrong."

Arnold growled in frustration and paced. "Oh my God, why did I ever think allowing you to meddle in my work was a good idea? You are the reason I'm losing my position, and yet you have the audacity to stand here and claim that you did nothing wrong? The vice president of the Larson Group reported your behaviour to the chairman! Do you think everyone else is deluded and you are the one who is right?"

"I don't care," she said. She scoffed. "Is this all because I refused her designs? Was I supposed to say they were good and accept them when they were obviously not? The Larson Group is just prideful and no willing to admit that they might not be the best as they like to claim!"

"You are jealous of your sister, that's all."

"Why would I be jealous of that skank?"

"I thought her design was brilliant, and so did the Larson Group, and so did the chairman. The only reason I rejected it is because you asked. If you want to work in this industry so badly, why don't you work hard like her and make a name for yourself? If you keep on like this, you'll only embarrass yourself!"

"Work hard? Oh, please! She is probably sleeping with that vice president of hers. She went crying to him after I rejected her offer, and that's why he tried to humiliate me. Why else would they go to such lengths to punish you for this?"

"Look, I don't care whether she is sleeping with him or not. But you can bet your ass you won't be sleeping with me anymore." He pointed towards the door. "Out!"

"Don't talk to me like that!"

"If you don't leave on your own, I'm not beyond throwing you out.”

Naomi sat back down on the couch. "Let's see you try."

Arnold couldn't believe what was happening. What did she intend to do? Stay in his house even after he had broken up with her? She must think he was still tolerant to her demands. He had let her lead him around a lot ever since they started dating, but not anymore. He was done with her drama.

Picking up her discarded dress, he threw it at her and then grabbed her arm. She looked at him in shock as he pulled her from her sitting position and dragged her towards the door.

"Let me go!" she demanded, trying to free her arm from his grip. "What do you think you are doing?"

Arnold reached for the door handle and twisted, pulling it open. "If you show your face here again, I'll call the police."

"What? You can't-"

He pushed her outside, in her underwear with her dress clutched in her hands. Then he slammed the door in her shocked face, rueing the day he had made her his girlfriend.