Dumped, I Became His Sister-in-law

MADDISON'S POV

I had barely taken a few steps into the hall when someone grabbed me.

"Wait, please... I need to see Christian," I said desperately as the guards shoved me backwards.

Christian Carrington, The man who was supposed to be my fiance was getting married right in front of my eyes without a word or a closure.

But I swallowed every bit of pride I had left to come see him because my whole life just turned upside down overnight, because of him.

"Yeah right," one of them snorted, "Miss Maddison Huston, you are not allowed in here.Mr. Carrington gave us specific instructions. Under no circumstances are you allowed inside."

My fingers curled into fists as the guard spoke. Christian had known I would come, and judging by the way everything had been arranged, he'd made sure I wouldn't get anywhere near him. The realization stung far more than I wanted to admit, sending a wave of humiliation and anger crashing through me, but I forced myself to swallow both.

"I'm not here to cause a scene," I said after taking a slow breath, determined to keep my voice steady despite the knot tightening in my chest.

Five minutes. I could accept any answer. I just needed to hear it from him face-to-face.

I refused to believe that after two years together, our relationship could end with nothing more than a cold text message.

I had to see him.

The two guards exchanged a glance but didn't move. "Sorry, Miss Houston. Those are Mr. Carrington's orders." They stepped forward and began forcing me backward.

Heads turned to see what was going on behind and subtle murmurs filled the room.

"Christian!" I shouted but he ignored me. I was carried out the hall and shoved away to the ground with my suitcase; the only thing I had left.

A familiar voice came behind me;

"Oh my God, Maddison?" It was Clarisse, my former co-worker, her eyes wide with fake horror. "How shameless of you to come here?" She turned to two of her friends. "Guys, look, it's the office whore."

Belle, another co-worker, giggled behind her. "Did she come to seduce the bride this time?"

My stomach twisted. "I didn't seduce anyone. I'm not a whore." I snapped, anger building in me as I picked myself up from the ground.

Apparently, Christian had provided photos of us in the hotel room and said I tried to seduce him a few days before his wedding.

His wife, Zara Hwathorne, who was the younger and spoiled sister of my boss, Aldric Hwathorne, the CEO of Throne group, got angry and got me fired from work immediately.

The news spread like wildfire and no one listened to my side of the story.

Clarisse stepped closer to me with a smirk on her face, "You really thought you could drag a man with Zara Hwathorne and get away with it? You classless whore."

My mouth opened to say something, but I was cut off by someone else. "This is what girls like you deserve, when you try to sleep your way to the top."

My stomach twisted as laughter rippled through the crowd, and for a moment the humiliation threatened to overwhelm me. But after everything I'd already lost, I wasn't about to stand there and let them tear me apart without fighting back.

"Finished?" I asked, lifting my head to meet Clarisse's gaze. Clarisse's smile faltered.

I looked her straight in the eye. "If making up stories is the most exciting thing happening in your life, by all means, keep going."

Belle scoffed. "Oh, look at that. Still pretending to be innocent?"

I curled my lips into a cold smile. "Innocent? At least I don't have to tear other women down just to feel relevant."

A few gasps rippled through the crowd. Belle's expression darkened instantly.

Clarisse stepped closer. "You really thought you could go after Miss Hawthorne's fiancé and walk away unscathed?"

I lifted my gaze.

"If I had actually wanted him..." I paused deliberately. "He wouldn't have spent two years without getting me into his bed."

Silence.

Complete silence.

Several people stared at me with wide eyes.

Clarisse's face drained of color. Because she knew exactly what that meant.

It meant the story behind those photos wasn't what everyone thought.

"You bitch!" she shrieked.

"Still better than some people," I said coolly. "Spending every day chasing rich men and still failing to get a second glance."

"You-"

"And another thing." I cut her off.

"Since you're so interested in other people's private lives, maybe you'd like to explain why you kept visiting the Finance Director's office last month."

Murmurs immediately swept through the crowd, and Belle let out a startled laugh.

"Wait," she said, staring at Clarisse. "She's not actually making that up, is she?"

Clarisse's face flushed a deep, furious red.

"Shut up!"

Before anyone could react, she lunged forward and slapped me hard across the face. The force of the blow sent my head snapping to the side, and for a second all I could hear was the sharp ringing in my ears. The entire lobby fell silent as if someone had suddenly cut the sound from the room.

A burning ache spread across my cheek, but instead of crying, I slowly turned back to face her and held her gaze.

"That's the second time you've lost to me."

Clarisse froze.

"What?"

I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth before looking at her with a calmness that only seemed to infuriate her more.

"The first time, you lost to jealousy," I said evenly. "This time, you've lost badly enough to resort to violence."

Her entire body trembled with rage.

"If you know what's good for you," she hissed, "you'll get out of here right now."

I held her gaze for another second before bending down and picking up my suitcase.

"Don't worry." My voice was calm. "I won't stay at the bottom forever." I looked over my shoulder. "Let's hope you're still laughing when I climb back up."

They all walked into the hall and the door slammed in my face again.

With my back turned to the crowd, the cracks finally began to show. My chest burned and tears flowed down my face as I picked up my suitcase off the ground.

Just a week ago, I thought I was going to be the luckiest girl in the world.

FLASHBACK

ONE WEEK AGO

"Are you serious?" I whispered, staring at the ring on my finger. "Christian..." my mouth hung open.

He smiled at me gently. "Why would I joke about this, Maddie? I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. It's time everyone knows."

"You're finally going to tell your parents?" I asked, my voice shaking. "Will they approve it? What about your arranged marriage to Miss Zara?" I narrowed my eyes at him, waiting for his response.

He paused for a while, his jaw clenching, "I already told you, baby. I wasn't going to go through with that marriage. I've told them that I have a woman I love and that's you."

Christian and I had been dating secretly for two years. My life practically changed after I met him; He was my Knight in a shining armour.

Christian paid off all my debts, used his connection to the Hwathorne family to get me a job at Throne Group. He also got me a big apartment.

But he asked to keep the relationship hidden because he didn't want it to affect his business relations and partnership.

His parents also wanted him to get married for the benefits of their company. So, they arranged his marriage to Zara Hwathorne. But Christian assured me that he would fight for our relationship.

And now, he finally proposed to me. I was very overwhelmed and I didn't know how to react.

I hugged him tightly. "Christian...I love you so much."

He kissed the top of my head. "You don't have to be scared of anything. I'll always be beside you." He kissed my lips softly for a short moment

"You don't have to worry about your grandma's hospital bills, I have prepared everything. "

"What?" my eyes widened in shock.

"I'll pay for everything," he said simply. "The surgery, the bills. Whatever she needs."

My breath caught. "Oh my God....Christian," my eyes were glassy with tears, "I don't know what to say. Thank you so much." The dam broke and the tears flowed down my cheeks.

He kissed me again, slow at first. But it got deeper, hungrier and we ended up on the bed in the hotel room.

He was already taking my clothes off until I grabbed his wrist.

"Christian, wait," I whispered, "What are you doing? We agreed to wait until marriage."

His eyes darkened instantly, "Maddison. Seriously?"

"We've talked about this," I muttered. "I want my first time to be special. With my husband."

His expression shifted. "We are getting married aren't we?"

"Yes, but..."

He stood abruptly. "How long are you planning to keep this bullshit rule up?"

My heart dropped. "What?"

"I've done everything for you," he snapped. "I got you an apartment. Paid your debts. Got you a job at Throne Group. And I just proposed, Maddison. Isn't that enough proof?"

"Christian, You've done a lot for me and I'm...

"Shut the fuck up!" he shouted. "You were nothing before I met you, and now you want to dictate what I can or can't have?"

I stood, breath shaking. "Are you saying, I should use my virginity as some sort of... transaction?"

His jaw clenched. "If you want me to pay your grandmother's hospital bills, stop acting stupid and let's do this. I've been patient enough, keeping up with your stupid rule."

My heart shattered. "I can't believe you're saying this."

"Believe it," he said coldly. "You have until tomorrow night to decide."

Then he walked out and slammed the door.

END FLASHBACK

I thought we were going to recover from that night; i thought it was just a phase that would pass but I was wrong.

We haven't talked since then and he never called me. Reality hit me when I heard that he was getting married to Zara Hwathorne that weekend.

Yesterday, Zara Hwathorne made her brother fire me from work because she claimed that I tried to seduce her fiance with evidence.

The loan I applied for from my grandma's surgery was denied because I was now unemployed.

This morning, I was kicked out of my apartment because Christian "no longer wished to sponsor the space." and I was only allowed to carry one suitcase because Christian claimed that everything in there was purchased by him; which was true.

I barely spent my salary on myself because I was gradually paying my grandma's outstanding medical bills.

Just like that, I lost everything I depended on.

I called Christian countless times but he ignored my calls and I had no choice but to come here. I didn't want anything else, I just wanted my job back.

The doors to the hall opened again and the wedding procession marched out. Music, and laughter filled the air

The moment Christian stepped out of the ballroom with Zara on his arm, surrounded by smiling guests and flashing cameras, my heart lurched painfully against my ribs.

This was probably my last chance to get answers.

Ignoring the guards stationed nearby, I tightened my grip on my suitcase and pushed through the crowd.

"Christian!" Dragging my suitcase behind me, I ran toward him.

The guards immediately lunged forward. I dodged one of them and finally managed to grab hold of Christian's sleeve.

Zara glared at me, clutching her bouquet. "How dare you come here, you shameless slut."

The guards yanked me back. I fell to the ground again, palms stinging against the rough pavement.

Christian whispered something in Zara's ear and helped her into the car before walking back to me with a cold gaze.

He crouched beside me, "You look miserable," he chuckled. "I had to remind you what you are without me, maddie." A victorious smirk plastered on his face.

I stared at him. "I'm not here to beg you to come back." My voice shook, but I held his gaze. "I just want to know one thing. What were the last two years supposed to mean?"

Christian... you deceived me. All this time... you just wanted..."

He chuckled. "Sex? Of course. You must be insane to think I'd ever marry someone like you."

"You were playing too hard, just to get a taste of you and I wasted a lot of money in the process. If you had let me fuck you to my heart content. I would have let you keep everything, but you were stubborn until the end."

I felt something inside me shatter. "I loved you," I whispered. "I believed you." The tears dropped on my laps.

"Well, that's your mistake," he said, standing up. "Try not to embarrass yourself further. It's pathetic."

"But..." A smirk tugged at his lips. "There's still a way to fix this."

My stomach turned. "What?"

"Be my mistress." He shrugged. "You can move back into the apartment. I can even get you another job."

I took a step back. Fury climbed my spine. I couldn't believe this was the man I'd loved for two years. The man I'd trusted with everything.

"You're a bastard, Christian." My voice came out low and deadly. I lifted my chin and met his eyes. "You're a coward."

His expression darkened. "Excuse me?"

"You lied. You twisted everything. And now you're trying to blame me for it." I shook my head. "I'm done."

He laughed. "You think you'll find someone better than me?" He stepped closer."You won't." His voice dripped with contempt.

"A woman who can't even afford her grandmother's medical bills? Tell me, Madison. Who's going to love you without expecting something in return?"

He leaned closer. "Before me, you were nothing."

For a second, I simply stared at him, struggling to recognize the man standing in front of me.

This was the same man who had once promised to spend the rest of his life with me, yet now he was looking at me as if I were something disposable.

The realization hurt far more than his insults ever could.

"Really?"My voice trembled with rage. "I earned every achievement at work myself. The only thing your connections ever brought me was harassment from all the women you flirted with and then claimed were obsessed with you."

His jaw tightened.

I pointed at him. "Mark my words, Christian. One day you'll be replaced. By someone better looking. Smarter. Stronger. And infinitely more of a man than you'll ever be."

I ripped the matching bracelet off my wrist and threw it at his feet. Then I grabbed my suitcase and walked away without another word.

The moment I reached the street, the tears finally broke free. I collapsed beside the building, clutching my chest as sobs tore through me.

It felt as if someone had ripped my heart out and shattered it into pieces. Every memory. Every promise. Every moment we'd shared. They came back one by one, cutting deeper each time.

A sleek black car rolled past me and mud water splashed on my body and my face"

I gasped and lifted my head just in time to see the man sitting in the back seat.

It was none other than Aldric Hwathorne. My former boss.

His deep brown eyes met mine through the rolled down window

The car slowed down and stopped a few feet away from me.

My heart pounded as the thought spun in my head. Maybe I could talk to him and explain the truth to him. Maybe I could get my job back.

I stood shakily, wiping the mud from my face, clutching my suitcase handle like it was my last lifeline.

I took one step forward and the car suddenly pulled away.

***********

After walking for a long time, I found myself seated at a bar counter, ordering my second drink.

The bartender hesitated, "Miss, that's pretty strong for girls like you. You could burn yourself out if you take more."

"That's none of your business," I snapped, "Give me the bottle."

I really wanted to burn myself out. I couldn't handle it anymore. My head was spinning with thoughts and memories of how my life turned miserable in a few days.

Every time I remembered Christian's words and how he looked at me outside the wedding hall like I was a trash he had been keeping up with; my heart clenched in pain and it felt like I was going to die.

"Miss," the bartender said gently, "are you sure you don't want something softer?" he asked with the bottle in hand.

I yanked the bottle away from him with a glare, poured it into the shot glass and drank it at once.

The alcohol burned through my throat once again but it did nothing to soothe the pain I was feeling.

I wanted to drink until I passed out, maybe everything will be back to normal when I wake up.

My vision swam as I took more shots.

The bartender frowned. "Do you have anyone to call? Someone to pick you up?"

I just shook my head and I could barely hold my head up.

My head dropped onto my folded arms on the table and my eyelids grew heavy.

"Miss? Hey...Miss, you can't sleep here," the bartender said, tapping the counter. "You need to sit up."

The sound gradually faded to silence.

I felt my body being laid down on a soft and comfortable bed, and a warm hand brushed my cheeks.

My eyes fluttered open, heavy and unfocused.

Where...where am I?

The dim light of the room was fuzzy but I knew I was no longer in the bar.

I blinked again, but all I saw was a silhouette seated beside, leaning closer. I couldn't see his face, only the outline. Broad shoulders and a well-shaped face.

"Hey..." the man's voice was low, almost a whisper. "You're safe."

His fingers slid along my cheek again, softer this time. My heart thudded in confusion.

I was too weak to move and I couldn't open my mouth to say anything.

He leaned closer, his breath brushed against my lips and before I could process what was going on;

His mouth captured mine in a kiss. A slow passionate kiss.

MADDISON'S POV

I didn't know if it was the alcohol in my system or the intoxicating scent of this man but a rush of adrenaline filled me and I kissed him back with the same intensity.

He pulled back for a moment and rubbed my burning and swollen lips with his thumb

The room was quiet and we could both hear our heavy breathing.

"Fuck it," he muttered before throwing the blanket off me and climbing on top of me.

He buried his face in my neck; I let out an involuntary moan as he sucked hard on my neck.

He gradually tore my clothes off my body and took off his own shirt.

My hand trailed his broad chest and shoulders and went around to wrap his neck. He lifted his head and captured my lips again and I didn't hesitate to give him access to my mouth.

Our tongues fought for domination but I ended up submitting to him.

He grabbed my boobs and kneaded them softly at first, then he pressed harder with his hands, earning a muffled moan from me.

He groaned softly into the kiss, before trailing kisses to my neck, collar bones and chest.

My fingers dug into his hair as I kept on moaning softly.

He captured one of my erect nipples in his mouth while he used his fingers to pinch on the other one.

"Ahh...yes..." my moans got louder as he feasted on it like a starved man.

I didn't know what I was doing but I didn't want this man to stop what he was doing to me.

My eyes rolled to the back of my head as he released the first nipple with a pop sound and captured the other aching one with his mouth,.

"Fuck!" I muttered, digging my fingers deeper into his hair.

His other hand trailed my body until it got into my already soaked panties. I didn't know who this man was, but I was fucking aroused by him.

He dipped his hand inside my clit to feel my arousal, "Damn! You're fucking wet and ready for me," he growled, while sucking my nipples, sending a vibration to my entire body.

He continued to rub on my wet clit while he sucked on my nipples. The pleasure was overwhelming and my clit kept dripping in his hand.

"You're fucking juicy," he whispered as he released my nipples and looked into my eyes, "I want to know how good you taste."

Before I could respond, his finger penetrated into me and I jerked up with a loud moan.

"Easy...easy," he murmured as he moved his finger into me and kissed me hungrily.

He kept finger fucking me but my moans were muffled into the kiss as his thrust became faster. I was a dripping wreck and my fingers dug in his back as the pleasure exploded all over my body.

"I want you, Maddison. I want you so bad."

He knows my name. But I wasn't thinking straight enough to ask him for his name.

He continued to thrust deeper and faster with his finger and I was a moaning mess underneath him.

He planted kisses on my body and trailed them down until he settled between my thighs.

He pulled out his finger and licked it. "You taste fucking heavenly." he groaned "We don't want all this juice to go to waste, do we?"

Before I could respond, my hips jerked up with force as I felt his mouth capture my pussy lips.

He held my hips in place and sucked hard on my pussy like a starved maniac.

"Ahh... fuck...please," I tried to push his head away while my other hand gripped the sheet, but he didn't budge.

I didn't know if I wanted him to stop either but the pleasure was too much for me to handle. I've never felt this way before.

He continued to eat my pussy, his mouth and tongue worked in perfect rhythm and I practically screamed my lungs out in pleasure.

After a long moment, my legs began to tremble and I couldn't scream anymore. My voice was hoarse and my moans came out breathless.

But this man was so dedicated to sucking me dry as I continued to drip for him.

Before I knew it, darkness took over me again as I came undone in his mouth.

***************

I woke up to an empty bed the next morning and I realised that I was alone in a hotel room.

I groaned softly as I sat up, my clothes were neatly folded on a chair, pressed and dry-cleaned and my suitcase was sitting at a corner of the room. I wore a hotel robe with nothing underneath.

My body felt heavy and sore, especially my nipples and vagina.

"What happened to me? How did I get here?" My questions were returned with silence.

I shivered from panic as the memories came flooding back and a cold knot twisted in my stomach.

Did I...?

I pressed my thighs together instinctively, and a shiver of realization ran through me. The tingling sensation between my legs confirmed my worst fear.

"Did I lose my virginity to a stranger last night?" my heart pounded with fear.

A soft knock interrupted my spiraling thoughts.

"Breakfast, Miss," the hotel attendant came in carefully with a tray in hand.

I steadied my breathing as she walked in and placed the tray on the bedstand. "Thank you...um, do you know...who brought me here?" I asked her.

The attendant shook her head. "I'm sorry, Miss. The guest who requested your stay didn't want their name disclosed. Everything you need has been covered for the next 24 hours." She left and closed the door behind her.

My hands clenched the sheet, and my knuckles turned white.

Was it Christian?

My chest tightened. He found me drunk and helpless and he took advantage of me.

The anger and betrayal clawed at my chest as I slammed my fists against my laps.

"How could you let this happen, Maddison? How could I be so stupid," I scolded myself and cried until I couldn't cry anymore.

I soon realized that wallowing in shame and regret wouldn't solve anything. I picked myself up and took a shower; all my sensitive spots burned as the cold water hit my body and I tried not to cry all over again.

I got dressed and left the hotel room with my suitcase with one place in mind: Throne Group.

I had to see Aldric Hwathorne. It was going to be difficult to get an audience with him but I couldn't give up without a fight.

Standing in front of the towering building, I smoothed my hair nervously. My long brown waves framed my pale, tear-streaked face, my green eyes swollen from crying. My petite figure felt small under the shadow of the glass-and-steel giant,

but my chin lifted, determination flaring despite the fear. I couldn't give up. I had to prove my innocence, reclaim my job, and regain some shred of dignity.

My heart raced as soon as I spotted the familiar sleek black car gliding to a stop at the entrance.

I sprinted towards it. "Mr. Hwathorne!" I called, waving my arms.

The bodyguards stepped forward immediately, blocking me.

"Miss Huston, please step back," one warned with a firm voice.

I ignored him, keeping my eyes on the man stepping out of the car;

Aldric Hwathorne. His face was cold and unreadable, as always. He had a perfectly sculpted face and deep brown eyes that seemed to look straight through people, and a lean, muscular frame.

He wore a black tailored suit. Every inch of him screamed authority, charisma, dominance.

He didn't look at me. He just walked in, utterly unbothered.

Ignoring the guards, I pushed past them and rushed into the building.

"Mr. Hawthorne, I'm innocent! Please-you have to hear me out!" I shouted, my voice cracking under the weight of desperation.

The guards immediately moved to drag me back, but before they could touch me, Aldric stopped and turned around. Raising one hand, he silenced them with a single gesture.

"Let her go."

His voice wasn't loud, yet it carried enough authority to bring everyone to a halt.

For a moment, I simply stared at him. After everything that had happened in the past twenty-four hours, I hadn't expected anyone to give me the benefit of the doubt, and the small act of mercy sent a rush of hope through my chest.

"Follow me," he added before turning away, clearly expecting me to obey.

Relief washed over me so suddenly that my knees nearly gave out. Gripping the handle of my suitcase, I hurried after him, terrified that if I hesitated for even a second, this opportunity would disappear.

When we reached the executive elevator, one of his personal bodyguards stepped in front of me and blocked my path.

"Use the general elevator."

I nodded quickly and did as instructed.

By the time I stepped onto the executive floor a few minutes later, my palms were damp with sweat and my legs felt unsteady beneath me. Every step toward Aldric Hawthorne's office seemed heavier than the last, and yet I forced myself forward until I finally reached the large double doors.

Taking a steadying breath, I knocked softly.

"Come in," his deep voice called from inside.

I opened the door slowly, and my breath hitched. He was taking off his jacket, revealing a fitted white shirt stretched across broad shoulders.

His chest and arms were strong, toned, disciplined. I swallowed hard, heart thudding uncontrollably.

"You have five minutes," his deep and commanding voice brought me back to reality. "I'm sure you didn't cause all that ruckus just to stare at me."

My cheeks flushed with embarrassment and I blinked, trying to steady myself and breathe properly.

I stepped further into the room and shut the door behind me.

The familiar scent of his cologne hit me instantly, and my mind betrayed me; memories of the stranger from last night, the moans, the kisses, the pleasure, rushed back in full force.

My pulse raced as I looked at him with a sense of familiarity. The bodybuild, the face, the voice....

My mouth opened before my mind could stop it;

"It was you..." I blurted out, "You were the man who slept with me last night."

MADDISON'S POV

His silence hit me harder than the shock on his face.

Aldric didn't react or say anything at first, he just narrowed his eyes at me like he couldn't believe I just said that.

"So that's why you're here?" His voice came out smoothly and unbothered.

I froze. My pulse spiked when the realization of his response hit me.

He didn't deny it. It was really him.

"How could you..." My voice trembled slightly.

Aldric let out a soft, humorless chuckle.

My chest tightened with anger. "How dare you? Why would you... why would you take advantage of me when I was drunk? Why do men always..."

He pushed back from his desk and stood, the sudden movement making my pulse jump. The calm, unreadable expression he'd worn all morning hardened into something dangerous as he circled the table and stalked toward me with deliberate slowness, leaving me feeling less like a visitor in his office and more like prey trapped in a predator's sights.

"That's how you show appreciation?" he asked quietly. "To someone who saved you from danger? Protected you because you were careless enough to drink yourself unconscious in a bar?"

I blinked in confusion. "Protected... me?"

"Yes. And you dare accuse me of taking advantage of you? Seriously, Miss Huston?" He stopped in front of me and trailed his eyes from my legs up to my face.

I felt cornered, stupid and confused.

"No, I remember everything." I tried to keep my voice steady but my shaking breaths betrayed me. "You kissed me, you touched me, you even..." I trailed off my last words because I couldn't bring myself to say it.

His eyes glinted with something I couldn't read.

"You don't seem to have recovered from the alcohol," he said with a smirk on his face, stepping closer while I backed away until my back hit the wall.

His arm braced beside my head, and my breath caught as he leaned in, heat radiating from his body like fire contained in a man.

"You must be so delusional to have imagined me having sex with you," he murmured, his lips brushing so close to my ear that my knees weakened.

My breath caught in my throat.

"I didn't imagine-"

The protest died on my lips when he reached out and tilted my chin upward, forcing me to meet his gaze. He was standing so close that I could feel the warmth radiating from his body, and the sight of his mouth hovering inches from mine sent my pulse racing in a way that made me instantly resent myself. There was something unsettling in his eyes, something dark and unreadable that made me feel as though he could see straight through every defense I had left.

Then he leaned closer, lowering his head until his lips were near my ear.

"I don't fuck virgins."

The words landed like a physical blow.

A shiver ran through me as his breath brushed the sensitive skin of my neck, and a fresh wave of confusion swept through my mind.

How could he possibly know that?

"How..." I swallowed hard before forcing the words out. "How do you even know that?"

For a moment, I thought he might answer.

Instead, he simply stepped back and pushed away from the wall, leaving me standing there breathless and disoriented, as though he hadn't just unraveled every coherent thought in my head.

I swallowed again and tried to steady myself.

"Mr. Hawthorne... did you really not..."

He glanced back over his shoulder, his expression unreadable except for the faint trace of boredom in his eyes.

"Were you hoping I did? So you could blackmail me into hiring you back?"

My jaw dropped. "No, No! That's not..."

"Good," he said coldly. "Because nothing happened. I only helped you because you used to work here. Don't count on that happening again."

Humiliation burned through me;

Of course. He would never want me like that. I was not his type.

My throat tightened. I didn't know what to say after embarrassing myself like that. "Mr Hwathorne, I..."

"You've used up your five minutes." His tone sliced through every ounce of courage I had left.

"Leave."

"I'm really sorry for accusing you like that. Please, just give me a chance to explain."

"I said leave."

The sharp command cracked through the room, and the authority in his voice made me instinctively flinch.

The last shred of hope I'd been clinging to vanished. Whatever opportunity I might have had to clear my name had been destroyed the moment I let my emotions take over.

Muttering another apology that he clearly had no interest in hearing, I backed toward the door and slipped out of his office, closing it quietly behind me.

By the time I reached the lobby, humiliation had settled heavily in my chest. The memory of everything I'd said replayed over and over in my mind, making me cringe with every step.

What was I thinking?

I had come here to convince Aldric Hawthorne of my innocence, yet somehow I'd ended up accusing him of sleeping with me.

Unable to leave, I crossed the street to a small café beside Throne Group and took a seat near the window, convincing myself that if I waited until the end of the workday, I might get another chance to speak to him.

The afternoon dragged by painfully slowly. I spent most of it staring at my phone without really reading anything, alternating between rehearsing what I wanted to say and wondering whether there was any point in staying at all.

I was still sitting there hours later when a familiar voice sliced through the quiet atmosphere of the café.

"Well, well. Look who it is."

A knot immediately formed in my stomach.

I looked up to find Clarisse and Belle walking through the entrance, and the moment their eyes landed on me, their expressions lit up with the unmistakable excitement of people who had just found a new target.

Their eyes lit up when they saw me.

"Oh wow," Clarisse smirked. "The office whore survived? Thought you'd evaporated from shame."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not doing this with you."

Belle snickered. "Did you come to seduce the CEO too? I heard he threw you out. Must've been humiliating."

They both burst into annoying laughter.

I clenched my jaw but I refused to react because I didn't want to cause a scene.

When they walked away to order, I grabbed my bag and suitcase, and walked out. It would be better to avoid them.

I'd barely walked a few meters when I heard a commotion behind me.

"Hey! Stop! Stop her!"

I jerked around, baffled, as people rushed toward me.

Clarisse pointed at me dramatically. "She stole my wallet!"

"What...?!" My heart dropped. "No I didn't! You're lying!"

"Search her bag!" she yelled.

"There are security cameras everywhere." I pointed toward the ceiling. "If you're accusing me, then prove it. Show me the evidence."

But they weren't interested in reason. Someone grabbed my bag forcefully and the contents spilled on the floor.

She gasped as she bent down to pick her wallet amongst my stuff.

"See?! It's with her!" she held it up to show them.

Gasps and murmurs erupted.

I was stunned and confused. "How did that get there?! I didn't take your wallet. You know I didn't do it, Clarisse."

"You shameless thief," someone spat

"I swear, I didn't..." A drink splashed on my hair and my face before I could complete my sentence.

People threw cups of drinks and food at me, their voices turned into an ugly roar.

I stopped trying to keep the peace. Squaring my shoulders, I turned to face the crowd. If they wanted a fight, I was done running from one.

Tears streamed down my face, my body shook under the humiliation, the noise and the shame.

Everything suddenly went quiet and I felt a coat cover me and spin me around;

My face hit a hard chest, and the familiar intoxicating cologne filled my nostrils.

I heard some people gasping behind me and my breath hitched as the deep voice rumbled above my head.

It was Aldric.

"Do you always get in trouble to get my attention?"