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“The board…” Caleb stares at her. “Fuck, this is what it’s all about. You want me removed, so you can force through the plans to sell the company. Christ, Olivia how could you think about betraying our parents’ legacy like this? After everything they sacrificed—”
“They sacrificed?” Olivia’s voice rises, color sharp in her cheeks. “They sacrificed nothing! I was the one left alone, to be raised by nannies, and shipped off to boarding school because they cared more about a bunch of dumb rocks than their own daughter! They gave everything to this company. Not to me! They even died for it! So yes, I want to be shot of this place. I want to sell out, and take my mountain of cash, and never have to look at another fucking Sterling Cross logo ever again!”
Her voice echoes, sharp with rage.
And I realize with a sinking heart, that I’ve been played.
She was never worried about protecting the company. She didn’t care about the embezzlement, not really. All she wanted was a reason to remove Caleb from his CEO position, so she could destroy the company she’s clearly loathed all her life.
And I helped her do it.
Caleb turns to leave. “Your little plan will fail,” he tells her, furious. “My people will block any attempt to unseat me. You can’t prove anything.”
“Oh, you covered your tracks pretty well. It was almost impossible to find those fake accounts,” Olivia says proudly. “But we found your secret dummy files.”
She pulls something out of her purse, and dangles it from one finger. The silver globe flash drive.
I gasp—at the same time Caleb does. “How did you get that?” he demands.
“Thanks to Juliet here.” Olivia beams.
“Juliet?” He freezes.
My heart stops.
“She got it for me,” Olivia says with a smug smile. “Why do you think she wound up in your office? I hired her from the very beginning, to keep an eye on you. A close eye. She was very effective, wouldn’t you say?”
Caleb looks at me in disbelief. I feel sick. “It’s not like that!” I protest. “I didn’t give her that drive.” But Olivia just smirks at Caleb, enjoying her victory.
“You always thought you were the smartest man in the room, but you didn’t see this, did you? Your little girlfriend was willing to sell you out, and you fell for it. Hook, line, and sinker.”
“No!” I cry, moving to Caleb’s side. “She’s twisting everything—”
But he wrenches free. Gives me a look so cold, it could freeze an ocean. Then storms out.
I rush after him, panicking. I have to make him listen, make him understand, it’s not like it sounds.
I catch up with him in the hallway. “Wait!” I call, desperate. “Caleb, wait!”
He whirls around.
“Is it true?” he demands, searching my face. “Did Olivia hire you to spy on me?”
“Yes, but… I didn’t betray you. I promise!” I grip his hand, imploring. “I didn’t know you in the beginning, and I needed money, for my mom. But when I got to know you… Everything changed. I told her, tonight, I wouldn’t do it. I swear.”
“Then how did she get my flash drive? You took it, didn’t you?”
“Yes!” I blurt, helpless. “But I didn’t give it to her, I swear. I never wanted to hurt you,” I add, desperate. “I love you!”
My voice echoes in the empty hallway, and I stand there, holding on to him, willing him with everything I have to believe me.
Caleb wrenches away.
“That’s enough,” he says, cold as ice. His gaze flicks over me. Like I’m a stranger.
Like he’s already forgotten my name.
“You’ve taken everything from me, Juliet,” he says slowly. Making each word clear. “My reputation. My company. My family’s legacy. But whatever she paid you, I hope it was worth the price. Because you don’t know what I do to my enemies. But I swear to you, you’re about to find out.”
And with that final devastating promise, he walks away from me.
And he doesn’t look back.
