39 Chapter 39 False Evidence and Shattered Trust
Chapter 39 False Evidence and Shattered Trust
Hazel’s POV
–
Two hours after Liam stormed out, he returned looking like he’d been through hell. His face was a mask of fury as he swept past my desk, his voice cutting through the office like a blade.
“My office. Now, Hazel.”
The ice in his tone made my blood freeze. Damian and Evelyn trailed behind him, their voices urgent as they tried to calm him down. But Liam brushed them off like they were nothing. My hands trembled as I stood, confusion clouding my thoughts.
I stepped into his office, Damian and Evelyn following before shutting the door behind us. The sound echoed like a gunshot.
Liam’s eyes burned with a rage I’d never seen before. When he spoke, his words hit me like physical blows.
“How could you do this to me, Hazel? You walked in here playing the perfect little victim, but you’re nothing but a snake. You destroyed my trust in ways I didn’t think were possible. After everything we shared, everything that happened between us. His voice cracked with pain. “You’re the worst mistake I’ve ever made.
The words shattered something inside me. “Liam, what are you talking about? I don’t understand what’s happening”
“Don’t you dare stand there and lie to my face!” He paced like a caged animal, his hands raking through his hair. “You know exactly what you’ve done. I want you gone from my company and out of my life. The only reason you’re not being dragged out in handcuffs is because I pity your
son.
Handcuffs? The room started spinning. My legs felt like they might give out. “I don’t know what you’re accusing me of
“Get out! Now!” His fist slammed against the desk so hard I flinched. “You’ll never work in this city again except maybe cleaning toilets, where scum like you belongs. I curse the day I hired
you!”
Strong hands pulled me from the office before I could collapse completely. My vision blurred with tears, my chest tight with pain I couldn’t comprehend..
Evelyn gathered my things while Damian guided me to his office. They sat me down like I was made of glass, ready to shatter.
“Hazel, remember when I called Liam on Saturday about the suspected leak?” Damian’s voice
39 Chapter 39- False Evidence and Shattered Trust
was gentler now but still cautious.
I nodded, wiping my eyes. “You said you’d investigate. Did you find who it was? But what does. any of this have to do with me?”
“The hacker discovered two emails sent from your computer, Evelyn explained carefully. “They were deleted, but we recovered them.
“What emails? I never sent any emails to anyone outside the company.”
Damian slid two papers across the desk. The first one made my stomach drop.
From: Hazel Vance
Subject: Warning
Sir,
The board suspects something. They’re investigating. Be careful.
Hazel Vance
CEO’s Assistant
Sterling Collective
The second email was even worse.
From: Hazel Vance
Subject: Everything on track
Sir,
My plan is working perfectly. Liam is completely under my spell. He trusts me completely.
Hazel Vance
CEO’s Assistant
Sterling Collective
I stared at the papers, my hands shaking. “I never wrote these. I swear on my son’s life, I never sent these emails. Someone else did this.”
Evelyn’s hand found my shoulder. “I believe you, Hazel. When I hired you, I checked every reference. The Larsons vouched for you completely. Dr. Almeida said wonderful things about you. There’s no way you’d do something like this.
39 Chapter 39–False Evidence and Shattered Trust
“Evelyn, I want to believe that, Damian said slowly. “But Hazel is the only new employee we have. Everyone else has been here for years. The fraud has been going on for months, but Hazel just arrived.”
“So you’re assuming I’m guilty because I’m new?” The hurt in my voice was raw.
“Liam is devastated, Hazel. He’s not thinking clearly. You have to understand, the timing looks. suspicious.”
My tears dried up, replaced by cold fury. I stood up, handing Evelyn my work phone and badge. “Of course. It’s easier to blame the outsider than admit you’ve all been fooled by someone you
trust.”
I grabbed my purse and looked Damian straight in the eye. “Fine. I’ll leave. But I hope when you realize how wrong you are, the real traitor hasn’t destroyed everything you’ve built.
I headed for the door, then turned back. “Should I let you search me, Mr. Knight? Make sure I’m not stealing anything on my way out?”
Damian shifted uncomfortably. “Hazel, please don’t be like this. No, you can go. We’ll send your final paycheck and documents later.”
“Keep your money. Just clear my employment record so I can find another job. Even if it’s in the sewers, like your friend suggested.”
As I left Damian’s office, Bianca appeared like a vulture sensing fresh meat. “Hazel, what happened?”
I looked at her with disgust and pressed the elevator button. When the doors opened, she tried.
to follow me inside.
“Stay back,” I said, holding up my hand.
The doors closed on her shocked face. The security guard let me through without question when I explained about my badge. Outside, I flagged down the first taxi I saw.
Only when I reached my apartment did I allow myself to break down completely, sobbing until 1 had nothing left.
