Chapter 4 Web of Deceits 2

❤️❤️❤️ Web of deceits 2❤️❤️❤️

Emily settled back into her workstation, her mind racing with questions.

Why had Mr. Ethan brought her back?

As she worked, Emily sensed subtle changes in the office atmosphere.

Colleagues cast curious glances her way.

Whispers circulated, like a gentle hum.

Sophia's absence was notable.

Emily wondered if Sophia was behind the plagiarism allegations.

But unease lingered.

A feeling of being watched.

Suddenly, Emily's phone buzzed.

An unknown number.

"Emily, you're playing with fire," a low voice whispered.

"Leave Thompson Innovations while you still can."

The line went dead.

Emily's heart skipped a beat.

Who was this?

Emily's phone buzzed again, snapping her back to reality.

This time, it was Mr. Ethan's assistant, Mrs. Rachel.

"Mr. Ethan wants to see you in his office, Emily."

Emily's heart sank.

What now?

As she entered Mr. Ethan's office, his expression was stern.

"Emily, I've received disturbing news," he began.

"The plagiarism allegations. If true, you'll face severe consequences."

Emily's palms grew sweaty.

"I assure you, sir, I didn't plagiarize."

Mr. Ethan's gaze hardened.

"I don't pay you to assure me, Emily. I pay you to deliver results."

His voice dropped to a chilling tone.

"If guilty, you'll face criminal charges. Jail time.

"And after you've rotted in prison, you'll be sacked."

Emily's eyes widened.

The cold calculation in his eyes sent shivers down her spine.

"Understand, Emily. I won't tolerate dishonesty."

Emily nodded, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I understand, sir."

Mr. Ethan's expression didn't soften.

"Good. Now, get back to work."

As Emily exited his office, her mind reeled.

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As the office closed, Mr. Ethan departed, flanked by Victor and Lucas.

The two special forces guards maintained a stoic silence, scanning the surroundings.

Ethan stepped into the sleek black car, Victor and Lucas following.

The drive to Ethan's estate was uneventful, tension hanging in the air.

Upon arrival, Victor and Lucas assumed their posts, guarding the perimeter.

Ethan exited the car, walking toward his mansion.

The estate sprawled across acres, surrounded by towering walls and lush gardens.

A crystal-clear pool glimmered in the fading light.

Ethan entered his mansion, greeted by the soft glow of chandeliers.

His maid, Maria, awaited him.

"Welcome, sir. Your bath is ready."

Ethan nodded, following Maria to the bathroom.

The warm water enveloped him, soothing his tense muscles.

As he soaked, his thoughts turned to Emily Lee.

The plagiarism allegations.

Her determined eyes.

Maria interrupted his reverie.

"Shall I prepare your dinner, sir?"

Ethan shook his head.

"I'll dine in my room. Thank you, Maria."

Maria departed, leaving Ethan to his thoughts.

He emerged from the bath, wrapping himself in a plush robe.

His bedroom beckoned, Emily's face lingering in his mind.

Ethan's phone remained silent, no messages disturbing his evening.

He lay in bed, lost in thought.

The darkness outside seemed to mirror his inner turmoil.

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Sophia's voice trembled as she dialed her father's number.

Montgomery, a billionaire with vast connections, answered calmly.

"Sophia, darling, what's wrong?"

"Emily Lee, Dad," Sophia spat. "She's a problem."

Montgomery's tone remained unruffled.

"Who is Emily Lee?"

Sophia's frustration grew.

"She works at Thompson Innovations."

"Mr. Ethan favors her."

Montgomery's response was immediate.

"I'll take care of her."

"Don't worry, Sophia."

"I'll make one call."

"Emily Lee will be gone."

Sophia's tension eased.

"Thank you, Dad."

Montgomery's assurance was absolute.

"I'll handle it as soon as I'm out of this meeting."

Sophia smiled, relief washing over her.

Mr. Ethan would soon be hers alone.

Montgomery ended the call, his expression cold.

Emily Lee, whoever she was, would soon be eliminated.

A single call would seal her fate.

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Emily woke up to the warmth of sunlight streaming through her small window.

It was the weekend, a welcome break from the office turmoil.

She stretched, yawned, and began her morning routine.

After a quick breakfast, Emily tackled the household chores.

Laundry, cleaning, and cooking for the day.

Her father, frail but cheerful, joined her outside.

"Hey, kiddo! How was work yesterday?"

Emily smiled.

"It was fine, Dad. Just the usual."

Her father's eyes sparkled with concern.

"You're doing great, Emily. Keep it up."

Emily's heart swelled with love.

"Dad, I'll always take care of you."

As they worked side by side, Emily felt a sense of peace.

A brief respite from the office stress.

She spent the rest of the day lost in her own thoughts.

Unaware of the storm brewing.

Unaware of Sophia's schemes.

Unaware of Montgomery's influence.

For now, Emily's world was simple.

Family, work, and survival.

But the calm wouldn't last.

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Saturday morning dawned bright and clear.

Sophia's resolve hardened.

She would visit Ethan, regardless of his indifference.

In her father's grand mansion, Sophia instructed her driver.

"Prepare the car. We're going to Mr. Ethan's estate."

Her driver nodded, accustomed to Sophia's impulsive decisions.

With her personal guard in tow, Sophia departed.

The sleek, black vehicle navigated the winding roads.

Sophia's thoughts whirled with calculated intentions.

She knew Ethan's vulnerability.

His fascination with Emily Lee.

Sophia's determination solidified.

She would exploit Ethan's weakness.

And eliminate Emily from the equation.

As they approached Ethan's estate, Sophia's confidence surged.

The grand gates swung open.

Sophia's car glided up the driveway.

Ethan's serene morning was about to be disrupted.

By the last person he wanted to see.

Victor and Lucas exchanged a knowing glance.

As they watched Sophia make her way to the driver.

Since she was the daughter of a top billionaire, they feared to stop her.

But summoned their courage.

As Sophia stepped out of the car, Ryder followed closely.

With three heavily-built men in black suits.

Victor and Lucas flanked the entrance.

"Good morning, Ms. Sophia," Victor said, his tone neutral.

"What brings you here today?"

Sophia's smile was saccharine.

"Get out of my way. Can't you see I'm here for Ethan?"

Lucas's eyes narrowed.

"Mr. Ethan isn't expecting you."

Sophia's laughter was dismissive.

"That's precisely why I'm here."

"Do you want to get fired? Now, get out."

Victor's expression reflected fear at the threat.

"I'll inform Mr. Ethan of your arrival," Victor relented.

He stepped aside, his eyes locked on Sophia.

Lucas remained positioned, a silent sentinel.

Sophia was about to push them aside.

But Sophia's confidence wavered for an instant.

Before she regained her composure.

Ethan's voice echoed from within.

"Send her in."

The doors swung open.

Sophia's eyes sparkled with triumph.

She glided into the mansion.

Sophia's protectors were desperate to follow her.

But she instructed them to stay at the gate.

"I need some privacy with Mr. Ethan."

Beside the serene pool, surrounded by vibrant flowers, beauty belied the ugliness unfolding.

A maid, trembling, approached Sophia with a tray of refreshments.

Accidentally, juice splashed onto Sophia's designer shoes.

Sophia's face contorted in rage.

She slapped the maid, sending her stumbling back.

Ethan's eyes widened in disgust.

"Sophia, that's unacceptable!" he thundered.

"Leave my house. Now."

Sophia's smile twisted.

"You can't afford to offend me, Ethan."

"My father won't appreciate your disrespect."

Ethan's jaw clenched.

He knew Montgomery's influence.

Their companies' partnership hung in the balance.

But Sophia's cruelty sickened him.

He turned his back on her.

And strode into his mansion.

The door slammed shut behind him.

The bolt clicked into place.

A clear message: Sophia was no longer welcome.

Ethan's eyes burned with anger.

Trapped between business obligations.

And his revulsion toward Sophia's behavior.

Sophia's insistent knocking echoed through the mansion, but Ethan remained resolute.

Frustrated and enraged, Sophia spun on her heel.

"Let's go," she snapped at her guards.

They swiftly flanked her, falling into step.

As they descended the mansion's driver way, Sophia's anger simmered.

She retrieved her phone from her purse.

Her fingers flew across the screen, dialing a familiar number.

It rang once before Mr. Montgomery's deep voice answered.

"Father," Sophia said, her tone sugary sweet.

"Ethan refused to see me. He slammed the door on me."

Mr. Montgomery's voice turned cold.

"I'll handle it."

"And that reminds me," Sophia continued.

"I don't want that girl, Emily, to continue working in Ethan's company."

Mr. Montgomery's assurance was immediate.

"I'll make the call now."

Sophia's smile was triumphant.

"I knew you would, Father."

Her eyes flashed with determination.

"This isn't over, Ethan," she whispered to herself.

The guards escorted her into the waiting car.

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Just as he thought the silence was palpable, his phone rang, shrill and demanding.

Ethan's pace was deliberate as he walked to answer it.

His eyes widened as he saw the caller ID: Mr. Montgomery.

With a sense of trepidation, Ethan picked up.

"Ah, Ethan, hope I'm not interrupting," Mr. Montgomery's booming voice filled the line.

"Sophia just called me, quite distraught," he continued.

"She's upset about the way you treated her at your mansion."

Ethan listened silently, his expression unreadable.

Mr. Montgomery paused, expecting a response.

But Ethan remained quiet.

Undeterred, Mr. Montgomery continued.

"Sophia has concerns about your new employee, Emily."

"She wants her out of your company."

Ethan's gaze narrowed, his thoughts racing.

But still, he said nothing.

Mr. Montgomery's tone turned stern.

"I expect Emily's termination. Today."

The weight of Montgomery's influence hung in the air.

Ethan's silence was a careful calculation.

A refusal to be swayed by Sophia's manipulation.

Or Montgomery's pressure.

The line remained silent for a moment.

Then Mr. Montgomery spoke again.

"I expect your confirmation, Ethan."

Ethan's response was a simple.

"I"

To be continued...