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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to protect you because I care about you. Despite how you dumped me for her, I still care!” Her voice rose with emotion. “Those months we spent together–the passionate nights, the secret meetings, everything–we were happy! It

expression hardened. “Shut the fuck up, Nicole, or I swear to God… I’ll make you.” His tone was deadly. “And for your information–those

silence as the drama unfolded, disgusted by how shameless

no shame–none at all. During 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 calculated move to get ahead. She was just as conniving as ever, proud of being the other

but he hadn’t denied their secret meetings–after lying, over and over, that it had only happened once. Though I had always known the truth.

his empty words and rehearsed regret, as if a few insincere apologies could undo the damage he had

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

My voice was firm, drawing both their

Let them listen

side piece over here“-I gestured to Nicole-“and get the

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Facing The

His face twisted with shame. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have-

a rich, entitled boy who thinks he can

chest. “I was more than a side piece, and you

glare so vicious it sent a wave of satisfaction through me. “You were a mistake I’ll

me like this because of her? You have no idea how good we could have been

faint, almost resigned smile

rid

But Nicole remained.

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

wire.

she marched straight to my desk, her

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

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The

my shoulders. “I don’t

this isn’t a threat. It’s a

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

My stomach dropped.

smirk widened. “And does Mr. Storm know

stay out of my personal life. After all, no one is going to believe

wanted was for her to sense my fear–to know she

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