I watch Alice’s expression shift, a mix of anger and disbelief crossing her face. “Maybe you can use the time spent here to search for a new job,” I suggest, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “If anyone will be willing to hire you after I’m done,” I add, letting the implication hang in the air. I choose not to go into details about the public announcement I plan to make, keeping that card close to my chest for now. “So you expect me to remain at the reception for the next three months? Do you know how embarrassing it is for me as the managing director?” she states, her voice rising with indignation as she strides toward me, her heels clicking sharply against the floor. The intensity in her gaze is palpable, and I can feel the tension in the air thickening as she approaches, clearly ready to confront me head-on.One of the security personnel, sensing the escalating situation, notices her movements and immediately rushes to my side, his expression serious and alert. I raise my hand, a
At 2:30 pm, I make my way downstairs, nervousness bubbling inside me as I prepare to leave for the press conference slated for 3 pm. The air is thick with anticipation, and I can’t help but feel a wave of anxiety. “Hey Alice, you’re still here,” I chuckle, catching a glimpse of her as she lazily leans against the sofa, annoyance evident on her face. I shake my head as I walk past, stepping out of the building and into the waiting car, the engine humming softly as I buckle in.By 2:55 pm, I find myself seated among the media I invited, their eager faces and flashing cameras creating an electric atmosphere. Just as I’m settling in, a familiar figure catches my eye. A smile lights up my face as I see Becky walking towards me, her confident stride instantly putting me at ease. “What are you doing here?” I ask, rising to embrace her warmly, feeling the comfort of her presence wash over me.She smiles back, her eyes sparkling with kindness. “Mr. Clark was a bit worried about leaving you t
“An employee of mine, whose name I’ll keep under wraps until the court case is officially underway, came into my company with one sole purpose: to destroy my home. Now, before any of you start speculating about what she did, I urge you to listen closely as I lay out the details over the next few minutes,” I begin, my voice steady.“This individual was the managing director of my company, but she started as my personal assistant. About a month ago, she approached me with a troubling story, claiming that she was being stalked by her ex-boyfriend. Given how she had previously painted this man as a dangerous figure, I found myself concerned for her safety, especially considering the frantic way she was behaving. It was hard to dismiss her fears, and I felt compelled to take her seriously,” I continue.“As I listened to her recount her experiences, a wave of sympathy washed over me. She described late-night encounters where she felt watched, and unsettling messages that left her shaken. I
The office is filled with a low hum of whispers that come to an abrupt halt at the sight of me. I can feel the weight of their gazes, eyes darting between me and Alice, as if they’re trying to decipher the silent tension that crackles in the air. Every pair of eyes is glued to our faces, carefully surveying our expressions, eager to predict our next move.I flash everyone a bright smile, feigning nonchalance as if I’m completely unaware and unaffected by the swirling rumours and how they’re processing it all. “Back to work, everyone,” I announce with a lightness in my voice, striding confidently past them. Everyone scurries off into their offices, leaving the reception rather empty and echoing with the remnants of whispered conversations. Alice shoots me a look of pure disdain, her expression a mix of shock and irritation from the fallout of the press conference. It’s almost amusing how transparent she is, her emotions flaring like a beacon.“Do you have something to say to me, Ali
Alice expression shifts, a mixture of frustration and disbelief crossing her features as she grapples with my words. As I stand there, arms crossed, I can see the wheels turning in her mind, weighing her next words carefully.She shakes her head vehemently, her voice rising with each word. “You’ve basically ruined my life! No one would want to employ me after the stunt you pulled. And besides, I’m stuck here for the next three months.”“How am I going to face all the whispers and stares? You’re just trying to embarrass me!” Her eyes flash with a mix of anger and desperation, and I can see the weight of her words pressing down on her like a heavy shroud.I shake my head, refusing to let her emotional outburst sway me. “Correction,” I say, my tone steady and firm, “you’re not stuck here for the next three months. You have the option to leave of your own volition; you just wouldn’t be paid.” “And besides,” I continue, my voice steady, “you did all this to yourself. If you had just kept
“Are you ready for the first hearing in court today?” Clark asks, wrapping his arms around me as he draws me closer into his warmth. The familiar scent of his cologne envelops me, and I smile, turning to face him as I speak, “I’m as ready as I’ll ever be,” I say, trying to inject some confidence into my voice.“Are you sure?” He asks, his brow furrowing as he catches the flicker of anxiety in my eyes. I nod, attempting to mask my unease. “Yeah, I’m truly happy that the case is finally being heard in court,” I say, putting on a smile as I shift my gaze to the floor, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on me.“But?” He says, cupping my cheek gently with his hand, forcing me to look him in the eyes. “There’s something you’re worried about,” he concludes, his gaze piercing through my facade as if he can see the swirling thoughts in my mind. I chuckle, “you’re right. I can’t hide anything from you,” I say, shaking my head in defeat. There’s something about his unwavering gaze t
“It’s time. Are you ready?” Clark asks, turning to face me as we sit parked in front of the courthouse, the imposing structure looming ahead like a fortress of justice. I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment settle on my shoulders. “As ready as I’ll ever be,” I reply, trying to sound more confident than I feel, before stepping out of the car and into the crisp air.The chill bites at my skin, but it’s nothing compared to the anxiety swirling inside me. Just then, Alice strides towards me, her expression a mix of concern and determination. It’s clear she’s been waiting here for my arrival, and the tension in her posture suggests she’s been wrestling with her own thoughts. “Hi, Lara,” she says softly, her gaze darting between Clark and me, a hint of uncertainty shadowing her expression. I can sense the tension in the air, and it’s clear that she wants to have a private conversation. “I’ll meet you inside,” I say to Clark, my tone firm but gentle, hoping he understands
“Wait!” Alice calls out, her footsteps quickening as she runs after me. I pause and turn to face her, a mix of annoyance and curiosity brewing inside me. “Yeah, is there something else you want to say?” I ask, my tone sharp. “The trial starts in 10 minutes, so you need to make it quick,” I add, glancing down at my watch, the ticking seconds amplifying the urgency of the moment.She takes a breath, her chest rising and falling as she gathers her thoughts. “I just need you to understand,” she begins, her voice trembling slightly. “This isn’t just about the case for me. It’s about everything that’s happened between us.” I watch her, intrigued despite myself, as her eyes flicker with a mix of vulnerability and determination. “Look,” I reply, trying to maintain my composure, “we don’t have time for a heart-to-heart right now. You had your chance to explain before all this.” I can feel the weight of her gaze, and for a moment, the noise of the bustling court f
As I step out of the office, my attention is immediately drawn to Rita, who is just settling into her desk. "Good afternoon," I say, offering a tight smile that barely masks my curiosity. I gently knock on the doorframe to catch her attention, the sound echoing slightly in the quiet of the afternoon.Rita looks up, her eyes widening in surprise. "Oh, good afternoon, Lara! You’re here!" she exclaims, her voice filled with shock as she rises to her feet.I nod, a smirk dancing on my lips. “I work here, remember?” I say, letting a subtle hint of sarcasm slip into my tone. She looks up at me, her cheeks flushing slightly as she nods, “Of course, sorry ma’am,” her voice dropping as she glances down.That action instantly transports me back to memories of Alice, who would always adopt that same piteous look whenever she was called out for something. A wave of annoyance washes over me as I watch Rita mimic that behaviour. “Anyway,” I say, shifting my gaze away from her and scanning her clut
“Where are you heading to?” Clark asks, a confused look on his face as he rises to his feet, his brow furrowing slightly. “To the office,” I state, my tone laced with surprise at his question. It’s almost as if he can’t believe I’d choose to dive straight into the investigation on a day like today.“Today?” He asks, his voice tinged with disbelief. “Yeah, the sooner I get started with the investigation and communication approval, the sooner the lies made by Alice can be revealed.” I can feel the urgency in my words, the determination to clear the air and gather sufficient and compelling evidence.He nods, a spark of understanding igniting in his eyes. “Alright, I’ll come with you. Thank you so much for your time and dedication,” he says, his voice steady and sincere as he exchanges handshakes with both Becky and Elvis.“Yeah, thank you. I’ll contact you as soon as I can,” I say, exchanging firm handshakes with Elvis. Then, I turn to Becky, pulling her into a warm goodbye hug, “Take ca
“And what is the conversation with the HR team meant to achieve?” I ask, slightly leaning in as I wait for Becky’s response. Her face scrunches up a bit, which is a very common trait that she shows when she is thinking, and I can’t help but find it endearing. “Speaking with the HR unit helped us understand the hiring process and if there was any bias involved,” she explains, her tone growing more animated as she continues. “This could help us prove to the court that Alice brought Rita into the firm for ill intentions. If we can show that there was favouritism or a lack of proper procedure in Rita’s hiring, it’ll cast doubt on her credibility. We need to establish that her testimony is tainted by her connection to Alice, which means her words can’t be trusted by the court since she’s not independent from any of the parties involved in the case.”I nod, absorbing her words, feeling the gears in my mind turning. “So, if we can uncover any discrepancies in the hiring process, it not onl
“Good afternoon, Mr. Clark,” Elvis says, his voice warm and inviting as he stretches out his hand for a handshake.“Good afternoon, Elvis,” Clark responds, meeting his grip with a firm yet friendly shake, the corners of his mouth lifting into a light smile that hints at a shared camaraderie. “And it’s just Clark,” he adds, his tone casual and approachable.Elvis nods appreciatively, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. “Apologies, afternoon Mrs..” he begins, but before he can finish, I interject with a playful smile, “Afternoon, Elvis!” “It’s just Lara,” I continue, teasingly cutting him off. “What’s up with him today? He never calls me Mrs.” I chuckle, shaking my head in mock disbelief as I turn to face Becky. “Good afternoon!” I exclaim, pulling her into a tight embrace. She shrugs lightly as I finally release her from my embrace. “How are you doing?” I ask, gesturing for us to settle onto the plush sofa. She smiles, her expression brightening the room. “Quite fulfilled,” she
“Didn’t you notice that there were no media personnel in the room?” Clark asks, his smile widening. I shake my head, feeling a twinge of embarrassment. “I didn’t take notice since I came in at the last minute. I know that most court cases are open to the public, so I just sort of assumed that they were there,” I state, my voice trailing off as I glance around the room.He shakes his head, “well, they weren’t. I personally requested the court to make the case a private trial, with only the necessary attendees being allowed to view the proceedings.” “Really? And when did you do this?” I ask, intrigued by the proactiveness of the man before me. There’s something admirable about his initiative, and it makes me curious about his deeper feelings for me. “Two weeks before the court case,” he replies, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that suggests he’s not merely following protocol but doing this for a deeper reason. “It takes a week to apply and process the documents submitted
Clark walks towards me, his presence radiating warmth as he wraps me in his embrace, pulling me close as he slides his arms around my waist. “What’s wrong?” he asks, his voice laced with concern, turning his face just enough to catch a glimpse of mine, searching for the truth behind my silence.I shake my head gently, feeling the weight of my thoughts as I release myself from his comforting hold. I turn to face him fully, wanting him to see the turmoil swirling in my mind. “Nothing, really. I’m just thinking about the court case hearing from last week Monday,” I say, letting out a heavy sigh that seems to carry all the tension I’ve been holding inside. “I’m sorry,” I say, frowning deeply, my face a canvas of worry as I replay the events in my mind. The way Alice and her lawyer, Rick, manipulated the entire situation feels like a bitter pill to swallow. “I can’t believe they would twist the entire story to their advantage like that,” I continue, my voice tinged with frustration. “To m
“Describe your workplace?” Rick asks, leaning forward with false curiosity. “My workplace is a calm yet bustling environment,” Rita replies, pausing as if carefully considering her next words before she continues to speak.“There’s always a whirlwind of tasks to tackle, but what truly sets it apart is Mrs. Lara. She has this incredible knack for balancing the workload for everyone. She ensures that we have designated days off to recharge, organises team bonding activities that really bring us closer together, and even surprises us with generous bonuses that make all the hard work feel worthwhile”.He nods, a glint of curiosity in his eyes, “Last question, what was the request Mrs. Lara made of you concerning Miss Alice?” he asks, his gaze piercing. “Mrs. Lara had asked me to look for a new apartment for Miss Alice,” she replies, her tone deceptively calm, but I can sense the tension beneath her words.“Do you have proof?” he inquires. I frown, listening intently as the lies spill out
Each step toward the stand feels like a journey through quicksand, my heart racing as I approach the place where I must lay bare my truth. The stand looms ahead, a symbol of both vulnerability and strength, and as I finally take my position, I remind myself that this is my moment to speak out, to reclaim my story amidst the swirling chaos of accusations.“Good day, Mrs. Lara Rique,” Rick says, turning to face me. I nod, taking a few seconds to steady my nerves, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on me. “Good day, Mr. Rick,” I reply, my voice steady, carefully masking the turmoil of nerves swirling inside me like a storm.“I’d like to ask a few questions. I only require a yes or no response. Do you understand, Mrs. Lara?” he asks, his tone clipped and formal. I nod, but a flicker of annoyance ignites within me at the demeaning way he addresses me. “Yes, I do,” I reply, my voice firm, even as I feel a rush of emotions battling within. He nods, his expression unreadable. “Gr
Rick nods thoughtfully, his brow furrowing slightly as he steps back, steepling his fingers. "And how was your stay in her home?" he asks, his voice smooth yet probing. I lean forward, my heart racing with anticipation, eager to catch the web of lies that I know will spill from her lips this time. I can almost see the gears turning in her mind as she concocts a story that I’m sure will be as elaborate as it is false. The corners of her mouth twitch, betraying the confidence she tries to project.“My stay in her house was wonderful in the beginning, and I was very grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Rique for their generosity towards me,” she says, her voice softening as she hangs her head down, a hint of vulnerability creeping into her demeanour. “But…” she trails off, leaving the air thick with unspoken tension. “But what?” Rick asks, his tone sharp and inquisitive, pressing further.“Mr. Clark kept on making advances towards me,” she continues, her voice trembling slightly as she pretends to