THE BILLIONAIRE'S MERMAID

CHAPTER 7: Theft and Fury

Psyche's POV

Psyche sat behind her massive desk, her fingers tapping rhythmically against the sleek surface as she stared at her spotless office. Everything was in perfect order, just as she liked it—except for one glaring absence. Her favorite blanket.

She had searched every corner of the office, thinking maybe she had left it somewhere else. But no. It had been on the back of her chair, as always. Psyche wasn't just frustrated. She was furious. That blanket was a rare, expensive piece, a personal favorite she'd had for years. It wasn't just the luxury of it, though. It held a sentimental value she wouldn't admit to anyone.

 The very idea that it had gone missing left her seething.

Her jaw clenched as she replayed the events of the past few days. The only thing that had changed was Belle—the last applicant. Psyche had hired her out of irritation and curiosity, but something about that woman grated her nerves like no one else ever had. Determined to get to the bottom of it, she marched over to her desk and pulled up the CCTV footage of her office. She fast-forwarded through the recordings, scanning through clips of meetings, clients, and assistants walking in and out. Then, suddenly, there it was—the moment that made her blood boil.

Belle.

The camera captured Belle casually lifting the blanket from the back of her chair. No hesitation, no guilt. She had folded it, draped it over her bag that for her looks familiar, and walked out of the office as if it were hers. Psyche watched in disbelief as the woman exited her office, wearing that infuriating smirk of hers. It wasn't just theft—it was an audacious act of arrogance.

The fury bubbling in Psyche's chest doubled, and she clenched her fists. That blanket wasn't just an object; it was hers. The idea that Belle was now using it—maybe even sleeping with it—sent a surge of cold rage through her. No one, especially not some arrogant newcomer, had the right to take what belonged to her.

"I can't believe this woman," Psyche muttered under her breath.

 "She's going to regret this."

As much as she hated to admit it, part of the rage came from the fact that Belle had managed to worm her way into Psyche's thoughts even before this. Something about the way she had challenged her during the interview had stuck with Psyche in a way no one else had. And now, with this act of theft, it was clear—Belle wasn't going to be just another employee. She was going to be a problem.

Psyche's fingers tightened around the arms of her chair. This woman thought she could get away with stealing from her? Thought she could waltz into her office, take something so personal, and walk out like nothing had happened? Not a chance.

Psyche swore she would make Belle's first day a living hell. She would push her to the breaking point, make sure she understood that working for her wasn't a game. Belle would learn her place, and she'd return that blanket whether she wanted to or not. The thought of someone like Belle using something so personal, something so close to Psyche, was intolerable. This wasn't just about the job anymore. This was personal.

"You want a challenge, Belle?" Psyche whispered darkly to herself. "Let's see how long you last now."