Chapter 8
At work, I struggled to focus.
Nolan had my address. Given his vindictive nature, I was worried that he might retaliate if I pushed back too hard.
These concerns led to careless errors in my paperwork.
Christian Webb, my supervisor and the company president’s son, summoned me to his office. “Care to explain these elementary mistakes?” he asked.
Despite his youth, he’d earned a reputation for his ruthless efficiency. Everyone walked on eggshells around him.
“I apologize, Mr. Webb. I’ll correct them immediately,” I said, keeping my eyes down.
“Fine.” He cleared his throat. “I heard about your divorce.”
I looked up, surprised. “Yes, that’s right.”
His gaze shifted slightly. “Don’t let personal matters interfere with work,” he said evenly.
That evening, despite the forecast for clear skies, it started pouring.
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As I stood searching for a taxi in the downpour, Christian’s car
Chapter 8
pulled up beside me. “Need a ride?” he offered through the lowered window.
Given the late hour and lack of taxis, I accepted.
The drive passed in comfortable silence after I gave his driver my address.
The rain had stopped by the time we arrived.
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I was exchanging polite goodbyes with Christian when Nolan suddenly lunged from behind some bushes, grabbing my wrist.
Christian, startled, reacted instantly, knocking Nolan down with a single punch before positioning himself protectively in front of me. “Who are you?” he demanded icily.
“You whore!” Nolan ranted, pointing between Christian and me. “You dragged me through court, took everything, and now I find out why.
“You’ve got yourself a boy toy! You were cheating all along!”
“Has the cancer spread to your brain?” I snapped. “This is my boss, not some lover. Just because you’re trash doesn’t mean everyone else is!”
Nolan’s eyes darted between us suspiciously.
Noting my composed demeanor, he hesitated before saying, “Even if he’s not your lover, something’s going on. I can see it in the way he looks at you.”
Chapter 8
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I turned to Christian, stunned, but he’d already averted his gaze.
Before I could process this, several bright camera flashes blinded me.
Nolan waved his phone triumphantly. “Got the evidence right here!
“There’s definitely something between you two. Give me half of that 350 thousand dollars, or I’ll take you to court. I’ve got proof!”
He was completely unreasonable. I had never encountered anyone so shameless before.
I could only laugh at his audacity.
“Sue if you want,” Christian said coolly. “My company’s legal department will be happy to counter–sue for violation of privacy, defamation, and slander. Your choice.”
Christian’s commanding presence in his tailored suit, combined with his cold demeanor, visibly deflated Nolan’s bravado.
“I… I was just kidding,” Nolan stammered. “Besides, is it necessary for a woman?”
Christian looked at me and replied seriously, “Yes.”
With Christian backing me, Nolan’s attitude shifted dramatically.
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He bowed, attempting to appeal to my sympathy. “I’m dying of cancer and need money for treatment. For old times‘ sake, you don’t want me to die, do you? Please help me!”
Far from stirring my emotions, his display almost made me laugh.
When I’d urged him to reclaim his money before, he’d called me selfish and petty.
Now here I was.
“I can’t help you,” I said with a smile. “But I’ll visit your grave.”
“How can you be so heartless!” he gasped, his gaunt face a mask of disbelief.
Taking pity, I offered practical advice. “Why not sell the house you bought for Andrea?”
His face fell. “It’s… it’s in her name. I can’t sell it.”
“Then I can’t help you,” I said, throwing him a cold glance. “Find someone else.”
“I’m your ex–husband!” he spat, glaring. “How can you be so cruel? Do you need to watch me die to be happy?”
There he went with the guilt trips again. Where did he get the idea I was so soft–hearted?
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“Remember when I warned you to get your money back?” I sneered. “You refused, saying Andrea needed it as a single mother.
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“Well, maybe someone will take pity on you now. Good luck with
that.”
B
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