Chapter 5 You Will Pay For It

Alexander's face hardened instantly. "Are you out of your mind? Apologize to her right now!"

At first, he had believed Florrie's calm acceptance meant she was genuinely willing to give Suzanne the project. Now he realized she was still being difficult.

Instead of answering, Florrie crouched down and began gathering the broken shards with steady hands.

That only darkened Alexander's expression further. He stepped in, grabbed her wrist, and snapped, "Did you not hear me?"

Pain shot through her arm so sharply that it felt as if her bones might splinter.

Florrie lifted her head at last, meeting his gaze with cold detachment. "And why should I apologize?"

His fist curled tight at her defiance.

In the past, the smallest sign of anger from him had always been enough to make her retreat. But today she actually stood her ground.

"You made a mistake. Shouldn't you apologize for it?" Alexander asked sharply. "Do you think the Jenkins Group has no rules and will just let you behave so recklessly?"

The weight of his authority pressed over the room, and it felt as though the air itself had turned colder.

Yet Florrie only gave a thin smile. "Then pull the footage, and bring in the police."

A twitch ran across his brow. "What are you trying to say, Florrie?"

Her eyes never wavered as she answered, "Mr. Jenkins, I'm here as an employee, not as someone who owes you obedience. If you want to stand up for your girl, then do it by the rules. If the police say I'm guilty, I'll apologize. If not, I won't."

Her defiance had struck him harder than he expected and ignited his temper. "Fine. If that's how you want it, I'll take you at your word!"

Turning sharply, he yelled to his secretary, "Aidan, check the cameras. Call the police. Charge her with intentional assault!"

That was when Suzanne's composure finally cracked.

If the surveillance footage was pulled, everyone would know she'd intentionally smashed Florrie's cup and her carefully crafted image would be tarnished.

When Aidan Marsh reached for his phone, Suzanne quickly interjected, "Alex, let's just drop it. Florrie has been an loyal employee by your side for years, so why turn this into something bigger than it is?"

Instead of easing, Alexander's expression hardened further. "She crossed the line. Mistakes deserve consequences."

The room remained heavy with tension as Aidan hesitated, and then reluctantly pulled out his phone.

Suzanne's face shifted, panic flashing across her features.

Right before he could place the call, she grabbed her head and let out a pained cry, collapsing to the floor with a thud.

"Suzanne!" Alexander's eyes narrowed in shock.

He shoved Florrie aside and bent down to scoop Suzanne into his arms.

Thrown off balance, Florrie crashed onto the broken pieces, sharp edges cutting deep and blood spreading quickly across the pale tiles.

Still, Alexander didn't so much as glance at her. Holding Suzanne protectively, he strode out of the office.

On his way out, he cast a frigid look in Florrie's direction. "If Suzanne suffers because of this, Florrie, you'll pay for it."

His cutting words echoed in her ears, but Florrie gave no reaction. Instead, she quietly gathered the blood-streaked fragments from the floor.

Once, she had naively believed that because Alexander carried Alexis' heart, he might come to resemble the man she loved. Maybe they could have lived side by side, even if not as lovers. But standing there, she understood just how misguided that hope had been.

Alexander and Alexis were worlds apart, and she should never have expected otherwise.

One by one, she set the bloodied pieces aside, and then returned to her desk. On the screen, she began typing two words-"Resignation Letter."

"Florrie, wait..." Adalyn's voice came from behind. She had caught sight of the words on the screen, and her face tightened with alarm. "I know you're innocent. You've given everything to this company-walking away now would be throwing it all away."