Chapter 5 - Desperate Measures
Desperation makes weak people dangerous.
Stripped of her bank accounts, abandoned by high society, and facing criminal indictment for wire fraud, Helena Waverly did what all narcissists do when trapped—she tried to corner her target directly.
It was 8:00 PM on Thursday. I was finishing late-night paperwork in my executive office on the 40th floor of the Sterling Capital Tower. The floor was quiet, most of the staff having gone home for the evening.
The private elevator chime sounded.
I looked up from my laptop, expecting Alexander, who had promised to walk me down to my car.
Instead, the brass doors opened to reveal Julian Waverly.
He looked terrible. His expensive suit was wrinkled, his hair unkempt, his eyes wild and bloodshot. He carried a heavy manila envelope in his hand.
"How did you get past downstairs security, Julian?" I asked calmly, pressing the silent emergency button beneath my mahogany desk without breaking eye contact.
"I used my old guest keycard from before the wedding," Julian said, his voice shaking as he stepped into my office. He walked toward my desk, his posture hunched, looking pathetic. "Victoria... please. You have to listen to me. You have to stop Eleanor from filing the final indictment papers."
"You breached a legal contract, committed fraud, and struck me in front of two hundred people, Julian," I said, leaning back in my leather chair. "You belong in court."
Julian fell to his knees in front of my desk, tears streaming down his face.
"I was stupid, Victoria! I was under my mother's thumb!" he sobbed, reaching out toward my hands, though I pulled them back out of reach. "She forced me! She told me that if I didn't get that gift safe money, Tristan would die and it would be my fault! She manipulated me my whole life! I loved you, Victoria! I still love you!"
"You didn't love me, Julian," I said softly, looking down at him with zero pity. "You loved the lifestyle my money provided. You loved the prestige of having a Sterling on your arm. But when your mother told you to humiliate me, you didn't hesitate for a single second."
"I was panicked!" Julian cried out. "I'll do anything! I'll testify against my mother! I'll sign full power of attorney over to you! Just drop the criminal charges! If I go to prison, my life is over!"
"Your life as a pampered socialite is over, Julian," a deep, cold voice spoke from the doorway.
Julian spun around.
Alexander Hayes stood in the entrance of my office, flanked by two armed building security officers. Alexander walked in, his presence instantly dominating the room. He stepped between Julian and my desk, looking down at Julian like he was dust on the floor.
"Mr. Hayes..." Julian stammered, scrambling to his feet, trying to regain some posture. "This is a private matter between me and my wife!"
"She is not your wife," Alexander snapped, his eyes flashing with lethal danger. "And if you step within ten feet of her again, I won't bother waiting for the police. I will personally buy out every asset you have left and leave you sleeping on the sidewalk."
The two security guards stepped forward, grabbing Julian firmly by his arms.
"Get your hands off me!" Julian screamed as they dragged him toward the elevator. "Victoria! You're a monster! You ruined my family!"
As the elevator doors closed on his frantic screaming, the room fell quiet again.
May you like
Alexander turned to me, his cold posture instantly melting into tender concern. He walked around my desk and looked at my face. "Are you alright, Victoria?"
"I'm fine, Alexander," I smiled softly, taking his hand. "In fact... I've never felt better. It’s time to move to phase two."
