Chapter 8 The Fall of Moore

Moore was spiraling. Katie knew it the moment she stepped into the boardroom that morning. He sat at the far end of the massive glass table, his usual arrogance absent. Instead of his usual sharp navy suits and smug confidence, he looked disheveled. His tie was loose, the bags under his eyes deep, and his fingers tapped a relentless rhythm against the table.

The rest of the board members murmured among themselves, sensing blood in the water. Justin, standing at the head of the table, was the perfect contrast-calm, poised, and completely in control. Katie took her seat beside him, offering Moore a slow, knowing smile.

"Rough night?" she asked sweetly. Moore's eyes burned with barely contained fury.

"You," he hissed. Katie arched a brow. "Me?" Moore clenched his jaw, his grip tightening on the folder in front of him. "Don't play games, Valerie. I know what you did." Justin finally spoke, his tone relaxed but laced with authority. "I have no idea what you're talking about, Moore." He slammed the folder onto the table. "Don't insult my intelligence. Someone fed Peck information about my offshore accounts. Now, I have one of the most powerful men in the world breathing down my neck. That wasn't a coincidence."

Katie leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "You mean, Peck finally realized you've been stealing from him?" Moore's nostrils flared. "I was never stealing." Justin smirked. "Right. You were just borrowing millions from a man known for cutting out people's tongues when they disappoint him."

Moore's hand twitched. Katie tilted her head. "Tell me, how many times has Peck called you since last night?" Moore didn't answer. Justin's smirk widened. "Let me guess-too many to count?" Moore's silence spoke volumes. The other board members, who had been quietly observing, now exchanged uneasy glances.

They could smell weakness. And in this world, weakness was death.

The Power Play

Katie decided to twist the knife. She straightened in her seat, exhaling dramatically. "Well, Moore, I must admit I'm surprised." Moore narrowed his eyes. "By what?" Katie smiled. "That you're still here. I mean, considering your... precarious position, I would have assumed you'd be halfway to a country with no extradition by now." Moore went rigid. Bingo.

Justin leaned back in his chair, studying him. "You were planning to run, weren't you?"

Moore didn't deny it. The boardroom was dead silent. Katie turned to the other board members. "You all heard that, right?" Murmurs of agreement. Moore's face paled. He had just made a critical mistake. In a company as powerful as Clarke Enterprises, loyalty mattered. And Moore had just admitted-without meaning to-that he had been planning to abandon ship. Justin's voice was calm but deadly. "You embezzled funds. You put this company at risk. And now, you're being hunted by one of the most dangerous men in the world. If that's not grounds for immediate termination, I don't know what is."

Moore shot to his feet. "You can't-" Justin cut him off. "I just did." The board members nodded in agreement. Moore's lips curled in rage. "You think you've won?"

Katie smirked. "Oh, Moore. I don't think-I know." Security entered the room at that moment, as if on cue. Two men in black suits stepped forward. "Mr. Moore, please come with us." Moore's face twisted with rage. But he had no leverage left.

No power. No way out. As security escorted him from the room, he turned back to Justin and Katie, his eyes filled with pure hatred.

"This isn't over," he snarled. Katie only smiled. "It is for you." The doors closed behind him.

And just like that, Moore was gone.

A Celebration... Almost, The tension in the room vanished the second Moore left.

The board members erupted into discussion, some relieved, others wary. But none of them dared to challenge Justin's decision. Katie turned to Justin, tilting her head. "That was satisfying." Justin smirked. "I thought so."

She let out a slow breath, finally allowing herself to relax. "Petrov will handle the rest. Moore is a dead man walking." Justin's expression darkened slightly, but he nodded. "He made his bed."

Katie stood, stretching slightly. "So, now what? Do we pop champagne?" Justin chuckled. "Tempting. But we still have a mess to clean up." Katie sighed. "Right. The fallout." Even though Moore was gone, there were still financial records to fix, damage control to handle, and Petrov to keep at bay.

Justin watched her carefully. "You okay?". Katie blinked, surprised by the question. And by the fact that he genuinely seemed to care. She smirked. "You worried about me, Clark?"

Justin didn't answer right away.Then, quietly-"I always worry about you." Katie's breath caught. The air between them shifted. For months, their tension had been a slow-burning fire, always on the edge of something more.

But this?, This felt like an admission. A step closer to the edge. Katie swallowed. "Well... don't. I can handle myself." Justin's lips twitched. "I know. But that doesn't mean I have to like it." Her pulse pounded. Because, suddenly, she wasn't thinking about Moore. Or the board. Or anything except the way Justin was looking at her.nLike he was finally done pretending. Like he was ready to break the rules. And Katie?. She wasn't sure she wanted to stop him.

The Kiss

The office was silent. Too silent. Justin took a slow step forward. Katie didn't move. Didn't breathe. Then- He kissed her. It wasn't soft. It wasn't hesitant. It was a claim. His hands tangled in her hair, her back hit the desk, and suddenly she was drowning in him. The months of tension, of unsaid words, of stolen glances-it all exploded in that kiss.

Katie's fingers gripped his shirt, pulling him closer, devouring him the way she had wanted to for far too long. She wasn't supposed to want this.

But, God, she did. And for once, she didn't stop herself. Didn't overthink. She just let it happen.

A Dangerous Line:

When they finally pulled apart, their breathing was ragged. Justin's forehead rested against hers. Neither of them spoke. Because they both knew- This changed everything.

Katie exhaled slowly. "That was... unexpected." Justin smirked. "Liar." She laughed softly. "Maybe a little." He brushed a strand of hair from her face. "Do you regret it?" Katie's stomach twisted. Because she should. This was dangerous.

But instead of pulling away-She smirked. "Not even a little." Justin's grin was slow. Dangerous. "Good," he murmured. And just like that-Katie knew she was in too deep.