Chapter 10
Standing by the floor–to–ceiling windows on the West Coast, I stared at Whitmore Industries‘ latest financial reports and let out a soft laugh.
Nathaniel Ashworth slow–clapped behind me. []
A
“Just a few months to gut most of Whitmore Industries–damn, Miss Whitmore, you’re ruthless.”
I smiled faintly. “Couldn’t have done it without Damien and my dear family tearing each other apart. Perfect opportunity to buy up their stock.“[]
今
Nathaniel suddenly looked up, his intense eyes fixed on me. “You’ve been glued to that screen for thirty minutes. Aurelia, don you think you’re a little too obsessed with Damien Hawthorne?”
froze, realizing he was jealous.
Just as I was about to explain, he leaned in close, his fingers gripping my chin. “Don’t forget who’s standing beside you now.‘ “O
“Last month at Notre–Dame, who said yes to my proposal? Hm?”
“Damien’s ancient history. I’m your fiancé.“]]
The possessiveness in his eyes made my heart race. I tried to look away.
“What fiancé…“[
Nathaniel cut me off with a bruising kiss. “Oh really? Then who was begging to make this official last night in bed?“]
My face burned with embarrassment. I couldn’t say another word.
Nathaniel was my boss at the London company.[]
We worked together, pulled all–nighters together, conquered the business world together.[]
Somewhere along the way, feelings got complicated.[]
My past trauma made it impossible to trust anyone.[]
I kept running, but he kept chasing. Relentless bastard wouldn’t take no for an answer.
What finally broke down my walls was that he never pushed me about my past.[]
The Whitmores‘ coldness, Damien’s betrayal, Helena’s fake kindness… all those wounds festering in my heart–I never said a word, but he always showed up with exactly what I needed.]
He never claimed to understand me, but his actions said: no need to pretend, no need to be strong.[]
When morning came, I crawled out of the messy sheets and finally made up my mind. I made a phone call[]
The next day, the internet exploded with breaking news.[]
“Whitmore Heiress Helena Whitmore: School Bully“]]
The surveillance footage showed Helena in her school uniform, directing several girls to corner a skinny girl in the bathroom, yanking her hair and dousing her with cold water.]]
The investigative report was even more brutal. The victim had spiraled into severe depression, dropped out, and killed herself shortly after.
Helena’s fake kindness had never been bulletproof.]
ww
The evidence I’d dug up was more than enough to destroy the Whitmores.[]
Parents started boycotting every Whitmore company. The Department of Education launched an emergency investigation. Whitmore Industries stock went into complete freefall.[]
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