Chapter 143: Facing The Blackmailer Head On

“Oh, don’t stop on my account.”

Nicole walked fully into the office, her voice laced with subtle sarcasm and mockery.

I refused to give her the pleasure of my attention. Instead, I zeroed in on Adrian–the cause of this mess, the reason I was now stuck in this unpleasant moment with her.

And knowing Nicole, she would never let me hear the end of it.

Meanwhile, Adrian stumbled back, the smugness in his expression fading into regret. His hands lifted in surrender. “Claire, I-”

“Have you lost your fucking mind?” My voice trembled with fury. “How dare you kiss me after I explicitly told you to leave me alone?”

Adrian stepped closer, reaching out as if to touch me–but I lifted my hands, stopping him in his tracks.

“Don’t you ever come near me again or pull another stupid stunt like that!”

Nicole scoffed. “Oh, quit pretending. I caught you both kissing passionately, and now that you have an audience, you want to act like Miss Innocent?”

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I clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to lash out at her, to tear into her with every ounce of anger burning inside me. But I reminded myself–this was my office, and the last thing I needed was to make an even bigger

scene.

firmer.

Just as I opened my mouth to put Nicole in her place, Adrian’s voice cut through the tension–louder,

“Nicole, mind your business and stay the fuck out of this.”

Nicole turned to him, disbelief flashing in her eyes. “Adrian, you’re pathetic. She treats you like garbage, and you just take it. She literally just slapped you for a kiss I’m sure she wanted–but of course, here she is, playing the righteous act. Acting like she doesn’t crave the attention, just so you’ll keep chasing her like a damn fool.”

“Shut up, Nicole! You have no idea what you’re talking about,” Adrian snapped. “I crossed the line by kissing Clairessa without her consent, and I’m trying to own up to it–trying to make things right. So why don’t you do us all a favor and leave?”

I shot him a glare. “Adrian, I don’t need you to speak for me,” I bit out, rejecting his hypocritical defense- especially when he was the one who had started this entire mess. Did he really think telling off the woman he had dragged into our lives would somehow erase what he’d done?

again.”

“Claire, I’m sorry,” he pleaded. “None of this should have happened. Please, forgive me. It will never happen

Nicole rolled her eyes. “Why are you begging her to forgive you?” she sneered. “Adrian, she broke up with you, and now she’s playing you–acting all innocent. Why can’t you see through this act?”

“Nicole,” Adrian growled, his voice dark with warning. “Stay out of this. I won’t tell you again.”

But Nicole wasn’t done.

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you. Despite how you dumped me for her, I still care!” Her voice rose with emotion. “Those

your information–those months were nothing but a mistake. One

the drama unfolded, disgusted by how shameless

the Gemia project, I’d let bygones be bygones, hoping her apology meant she had changed. But now, I saw the truth. It had all been an act–a

He called their affair a mistake, but he hadn’t denied their secret meetings–after lying,

and rehearsed regret, as if a

forth. His chapter in my life was over, and I no longer had

firm, drawing both

Let them listen closely.

here“-I gestured to Nicole-“and

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office.”

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The

with shame. “I’m sorry,

cut him off, my voice cold. “Because you’re just a rich, entitled boy who thinks he can have whatever he wants whenever he

than a side piece, and you damn well know it,” she

wave of satisfaction through

she hissed. “Treating me like this because of her? You have

never want to find out.” Then his gaze darted to mine, a faint, almost resigned smile tugging at his lips. “Have a good day, Clairessa.” And

rid of

But Nicole remained.

to her, crossing my arms. “Well? What are you waiting for? Go run after him like the pathetic little

wire.

of leaving, she marched straight to my desk, her fury burning like a live

are. And I will make you pay for speaking to me this

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111

The Blackmailer

my shoulders. “I don’t take

threat.

dropping to a whisper. “Does Adrian know?” she purred. “That you’re

My stomach dropped.

Mr. Storm know you’re fucking his

insane, and you need to stay out of my personal life. After all, no one is

to sense my

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