One Night

Chapter 121

Edwin

“Those humans are all problematic,” Leo said, leaning back in his chair with an air of superiority about him. “This is why I don’t like to hire them. Nothing but trouble, if you ask me.”

I bit back a sharp retort, reminding myself to stay calm. I wanted them both here before I said anything. I wanted to see the looks on both of their faces when they realized that they had been found out.

Finally, the door opened with a soft click, and Linda sauntered in. Her usual haughty demeanor was on full display, like a fox in a hen house. The scent of her expensive perfume filled the air, almost cloying in its intensity. She strode into the center of the room, clearly trying not to smirk.

“You wanted to see me, Mr. Brooks?” she asked, her voice sickeningly sweet. Her eyes darted between Leo and me, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her face for the briefest of moments before she quickly masked it with a smile.

“Sit down, Linda,” I said, gesturing to the empty chair beside Leg. My voice was level, betraying none of the anger that was simmering just beneath the surface.

As she took her seat, crossing her legs primly, 1 leaned forward and folded my hands on the glass top of my desk.

“I’ve called you l both here because we need to discuss some recent events.”

Leo’s smile widened, his eyes glinting with something I could only assume was barely contained malice. “Right. Audrey’s… disgraceful behavior.”

“Actually,” I said, my voice hardening as I fixed him with a steely gaze, “it’s about your disgraceful behavior,”

Their faces fell almost simultaneously, the change so dramatic it might have been comical under different circumstances. Linda’s confident smile faltered, her perfectly manicured nails digging into the armrests of her chair. Leo’s brow furrowed in confusion, that infuriatingly smug expression sliding off his face like melting wax.

“I’m… I’m not sure I understand,” Leo said slowly, “Our disgraceful behavior? The girl painted slurs all over her-

“Let me be clear,” I interrupted, holding up my hand to stop him. “I know about your arrangement with Mr. Black. I know about your plans to harass and frame Miss Thatcher. Every detail, every manipulated piece of evidence, every ‘accident you orchestrated. So let’s not waste any time on your meaningless drivel.”

Linda’s face paled, her usual composure cracking. “Mr. Brooks, I don’t know what you’re talking about-

“Save it,” I cut her off, my patience wearing thin. “I have proof. Emails, financial records, everything. Did you really think you could get away with tormenting a human intern and I wouldn’t find out? What did you even seek to gain from this other than embarrassing yourself?”

Leo’s confusion had morphed into anger, his face flushing red. “Now wait just a minute-”

“Enough,” I snapped, rising from my chair. The sudden movement made them both flinch Leo looked like he might vomit, and Linda’s knuckles had whitened around the arms of her chair

I bared my fangs for a moment, my calm facade momentarily slipping-but I wanted it to slip. I wanted them to see my fury. They could have harmed me all they wanted, but Audrey… I’d had enough of this

I was tired of seeing the girl I cared for being tra**led all over by people who couldn’t hold a candle to her presence.

“You’re both fired, effective immediately.” I finally said, straightening and snapping my calm mask back into place. “And you’re banned from this building. I’ve already called security to escort you out.”

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Chapter 121

Linda jumped to her feet, the legs of her chair scraping loudly against the floor. “You… You can’t do this! My father.. He’s rich. Very rich. He’ll pay anything:

“Your father can’t help you here.” I said coldly, adjusting my tic. This is my company, and I will not tolerate this kind of behavior. Not from anyone, no matter who their parents are.”

The door opened then, and two burly security guards entered. Leo, seeing where this was headed, stood up so quickly that his chair toppled backwards onto the floor.

“No. I’ll go,” he said, his voice trembling even as he tried to appear calm by smoothing down his shirt, “I don’t want any trouble.”

With that, he strode up to the security guards. I nodded to one of them, who stepped aside and followed Leo out.

Linda, however, wasn’t going so quietly. As one of the guards took her arm, she suddenly cried out, her voice shrill, “I know you two had sext”

The room fell silent. I froze for a moment, my heart rate s***ng, then turned to the guard. “Wait outside, please. I’ll handle.

this.”

Once we were alone again, I turned back to Linda, fighting to keep my expression neutral. “What exactly are you implying?” She smirked, clearly thinking she had the upper hand. Her posture straightened, confidence returning to her stance. “Max saw you and Audrey together on New Year’s Eve. It’s obvious you slept with her. That could ruin your career if anyone found out. But if you let me keep my job, I won’t tell a soul. Your secret will be safe with me.”

Π

Ifolded my arms across my chest, studying her. I had expected something like this-expected her to try to find something to use against me.

“Max?” I chewed the name like a piece of sour candy and c**ed my head, quirking an eyebrow. “You mean the boy who you conspired with to physically injure a student at the masquerade?”

Linda’s smug expression faltered, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. “I. I did no such thing. You can’t prove anything.”

“Really?” I circled around my desk, my voice dangerously calm. Because I was there the night Max put tear gas in the vents And I know you were the gray wolf who chased Audrey. Did you think I wouldn’t find out about that, too?”

Her face went white, all of her earlier confidence evaporating. She almost seemed to shrink in my shadow as I towered over her.

“You can’t prove anything,” she repeated, her voice hardly more than a whisper now. “It’s just your word against mine.” “Can’t “I leaned forward, gesturing to her pant leg. “Show me your leg, Linda.”

Her eyes widened into saucers. “What? No! You p***rt!” she sputtered, taking a step back.

“Show me your leg,” I repeated calmly, leaning back on my desk. The one with the scar from that night. If you didn’t do anything, then you should have nothing to worry about, right?”

Linda’s mouth opened and closed several times like a fish out of water. I could practically hear the gears turning in her head. her snakelike eyes darting around as if to search for a way out of this. But there was no getting out of it-we both knew that.

Finally, slowly, reluctantly, she lifted her pant leg.. And revealed a long, jagged scar that ran from her knee to her ankle.

“Now, let’s be clear,” I said, satisfied. “Your crimes could be punishable with prison time-attacking a fellow student, conspiring to place tear gas in the vents, and let’s not forget the day you assaulted her and cut up her clothes.”

“How did you

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Chapter 121

“I’m sure your father would be extremely embarrassed if that happened,” I continued before she could finish. “His precious daughter, behind bars. Imagine the scandal.”

Linda’s fa

face twisted. “You can’t do this to me,” she growled. “I’ll tell everyone about you and Audrey. You’ll get in trouble for sleeping with a student.”

“You can try,” I said firmly, my voice low and dangerous. “But who do you think they’ll believe? The CEO who has donated millions to this city, or the spoiled brat, who has been caught harassing her peers? You have no proof, Linda. Just baseless

accusations.

The girl was silent, her shoulders trembling.

“So here’s what’s going to happen.” I said. “You’re going to leave this building, and you’re never going to come back. You’re not going to breathe a word about Audrey or anyone else at this company. Because if you do, I’ll make sure every last detail of your criminal activities comes to light. Do we understand each other?”

Linda glared at me, her fists clenched at her sides. For a moment I thought she might try to attack me. But then her shoulders slumped in defeat, the fight draining out of her.

“Fine,” she spat, turning on her heel.

I walked to the door and opened it, gesturing for the security guard to come back in. “Please escort Miss O’Malley out of the building. She is no longer welcome here.”

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