Chapter 42
Jimson had the gall to furrow his brows in concern. “I hope she’s all right… that poor girl.”
I watched him carefully and decided to test him.
“She is,” I said flatly. “She was found an hour ago.”
A single blink. No twitch. No shift in weight. Just that same
damned smug confidence.
Jimson remained eerily calm.
Too calm.
And that told me everything I needed to know.
Then, suddenly, Jess exploded.
“Why are you acting like Olivia’s disappearance is the end of the
world? Are you that scared? Or is it that you care too much?”
Her voice was high–pitched and hysterical, a mix of rage and
confusion.
I didn’t raise my voice. “Do you even know what she was doing
here? What she found?”
Jess scoffed. “She’s a secretary. She’s been here forthree days.
Why would anything she says matter?”
I walked forward slowly, each word clipped and deliberate. “That secretary uncovered something you’ve failed to detect in two years. She was doingmyjob. She disappeared onmywatch.”
Jess clenched her fists, her face crumpling with disbelief.
“You’re insane. You’re–what, in love with that married woman
now?”
I looked at her, this woman I once thought might be useful. Now
I only felt disappointment. “If you’d focused less on appearances
and more on substance, maybe your brain wouldn’t be so dull.”
Her lips quivered. “I’m resigning.” Then, louder, “I’ve already
called Neil. I’m going to let him know how you’re humiliating
your own people over some outsider.””
I sighed and rubbed my forehead. Of course she called my
father. She always cried to him when she couldn’t win on her
own. “Let me guess. You told him I’m biased. That I’ve lost my
mind over Olivia.”
She nodded defiantly. “Yes. Because that’s exactly what this is.
Favoritism. Obsession.”
Behind her, Jimson chimed in. “I’m resigning too. I’ve given this
company everything. If loyalty means nothing anymore, then
I’m done.”
Chapter 42
A few other executives glanced at each other, looking uncertain
-some ready to follow Jimson’s lead just to survive the fallout.
Right then, my phone vibrated. A message from Gai. My father had just called him to ask for my response.
I took a slow breath, then turned on the speaker. “Father,” I said calmly, “the purpose of this inspection has been achieved. I’ve
staining it a deep rust–red.
I met dozens of eyes. Confused. Alarmed. Guilty.
Then I saw him.
Alexander moved first. His face twisted with disbelief, then
tightened with concern as he strode toward me. “Are you
alright?” he asked, his voice low but sharp, like he wasn’t sure if
he believed what he was seeing.
“I’m lucky I didn’t die,” I answered, my voice hoarse. “That’s the
best thing I can say right now!”
His hand reached out to steady me, eyes catching the makeshift
bandage on my thigh. “You’re bleeding. Let’s get you to the
Chapter 42
hospital first.”
“It’s okay. Hospital can wait,” I muttered. “I want to finish this
first.”
He didn’t argue. Instead, he wrapped an arm around my waist
and, without hesitation, lifted me off my feet. I wasn’t expecting
it–his arms were warm and strong, his scent familiar in a way
that made my chest ache. The room was dead quiet as he slowly
helped me forward.


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