Chapter 279
Madison
“That’s assault, Ms. Caldwell,” Anthony said quietly. “Sexual assault.”
“It wasn’t like that!” she protested. “I just wanted to remind you of what we had!”
“We had nothing,” Alexander repeated coldly. “And now you’ve committed a felony based on a delusion.”
“You can’t prove anything,” she said, suddenly defiant. “It’s your word against mine.”
Alexander’s smile was chilling. “Actually, we have quite a bit of proof. Selena Johnson gave us a full confession. We have the bartender’s statement, the money trail from your account to hers, and now…” He gestured around the room. “We have this conversation on video.”
For the first time, real fear flickered across Vanessa’s face. “You’re bluffing,” she whispered.
Leo pulled out his phone and played a video of Selena Johnson’s confession from London. The color drained from Vanessa’s face as she watched.
“That bitch,” she hissed. “She promised she’d never tell anyone.”
“She was quite forthcoming once we explained the potential prison sentence,” Alexander said mildly.
“My father-”
“Can’t help you with this,” Alexander cut her off. “Charles Caldwell may have influence, but even he can’t make a drugging charge disappear. Especially when the victim is the CEO of Knight Industries.”
Vanessa’s shoulders slumped. “What do you want?”
“Originally? Just confirmation. Now that I have it, I’m considering my options.”
“Please,” her voice cracked. “It was a mistake. I wasn’t thinking clearly.”
“Clearly,” Alexander agreed dryly. “Here’s what’s going to happen. You’re going to sign a confession admitting exactly what you did. This confession will be sealed and placed in a secure location. If anything happens to me— anything at all–it goes straight to the police.”
“You can’t-”
“I can and I will,” Alexander interrupted. “You’ll also sign an NDA regarding our interaction. Break it, and not only does the confession go public, but I’ll personally ensure Charles Caldwell knows exactly what his daughter has been up to.”
Vanessa blanched. “He’ll disown me.”
“That’s not my problem.”
“What about the recording?” she asked, nodding toward the pen camera.
“Insurance,” Alexander said simply. “It stays with me as long as you behave yourself.”
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“And if I don’t sign?”
+25 BONUS
Alexander checked his watch casually. “Then Leo drives you to the police station right now, and you can explain to them why you drugged me. I’m sure the press will have a field day with that story.”
The room fell silent except for Vanessa’s ragged breathing. Finally, she nodded.
“I’ll sign whatever you want. Just… don’t tell my father.”
Alexander nodded to Leo, who produced a document and placed it in front of her. Anthony untied one of her hands so she could sign.
I watched as Vanessa scrawled her signature, her hand trembling slightly. A part of me almost felt sorry for her. Then I remembered how she’d dumped water on me, how she’d tried to drug Alexander, and my sympathy evaporated.
“One more thing,” Alexander said as Leo collected the signed papers. “You come near me, my building, or any of my employees again, and all bets are off. This stays between us as long as you stay away. Are we clear?”
Vanessa nodded mutely.
“Say it,” Alexander demanded.
“We’re clear,” she whispered.
I spotted two water bottles sitting on the metal table, untouched. A thought sparked in my mind, impulsive, childish perhaps, but deeply satisfying.
“One more thing,” I said, striding toward the table. Alexander and Leo exchanged curious glances as I grabbed
both water bottles.
I unscrewed the caps and approached Vanessa, who was still bound to the chair. Her eyes widened as she realized my intention.
“Don’t you dare-” she started.
I upended both bottles over her head, watching with immense satisfaction as water cascaded down her perfectly styled hair, drenching her designer outfit. The expensive makeup she’d so carefully applied began to streak down her face in dark rivulets.
“Now we’re even,” I said calmly. “Consider us clean.”
Leo burst out laughing while Anthony covered his mouth, shoulders shaking with barely contained amusement. Even Alexander’s lips twitched upward in that rare genuine smile that made my heart skip.
Vanessa sputtered and gasped, looking like a drowned rat. “You little bitch! Do you have any idea how much this dress costs?”
“Probably about as much as the blouse you ruined when you dumped water on me,” I replied, feeling a surge of confidence I rarely experienced. “The difference is, you deserved this.”
“Alexander!” she shrieked. “Are you going to let her treat me this way?”
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+25 BONUS
Alexander stepped forward, his expression deceptively casual. “Ms. Harper works for me, not the other way around. I don’t control her actions.”
“Besides,” I added, “it’s just water. It’ll dry.”
Leo snorted. “Unlike your dignity, which is permanently soaked.”
Vanessa thrashed against her restraints. “Untie me right now! I’m going to sue all of you!”
“With what evidence?” Alexander asked coolly. “The security cameras in this building mysteriously malfunction. And somehow, I doubt you want to explain to the police why you were here in the first place.”
“You’re all insane!” Vanessa spat, mascara running down her cheeks in black streaks.
I placed the empty bottles on the table with a satisfied smile. “Consider us even, Ms. Caldwell. Next time you think about dumping water on someone, remember this moment.”
Vanessa stared at me, her eyes narrowing into venomous slits. The mascara streaking down her face made her look like a deranged raccoon caught in a downpour.
“You little bitch,” she hissed, straining against her restraints. “Do you have any idea who I am?”
I smiled sweetly. “Someone who looks significantly worse wet than I did. At least I didn’t have raccoon eyes.‘
“Untie me right now!” Vanessa shrieked, thrashing wildly in her chair. “My father will destroy all of you!”
“Your father,” Alexander said coolly, stepping forward, “will be extremely disappointed to learn his daughter attempted to drug a CEO. I wonder how Charles Caldwell would react to that particular headline?”
Vanessa’s face paled beneath her smeared makeup.
“This isn’t over,” Vanessa spat, glaring directly at me.
I raised an eyebrow. “Actually, it is. Consider this your first and final warning. Stay away from Alexander Knight, stay away from Knight Industries, and definitely stay away from me.”
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Chapter 280
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
