AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I nod, taking a deep breath to steady myself. "Thanks Vic, I really needed to hear that today.”
My sister’s grip on my hand tightens, a silent show of solidarity. "Remember, Chloe, you are strong, resilient, and deserving of love. Don't settle for anything less."
As we walk side by side, the weight of the past slowly dissipates, replaced by a newfound determination and clarity. With Victoria's unwavering support, I feel empowered to confront the challenges ahead and reclaim my own happiness.
Chapter eighteen
Stephen
Theweightoftheday's events lingers heavily on my shoulders as I step into my office, a sense of unease settling deep within me. Nick, wearing a grave expression, beckons me over. My heart sinks as I anticipate the conversation that is about to unfold.
"Stephen, we need to talk," Nick begins in a serious tone. "There have been some serious allegations made against Chloe, and we can't afford to turn a blind eye to them."
Confusion and concern ripple through me as I take a seat.What’s happened now, for fuck’s sake?I curse inside, while out loud, I say, "What are you talking about, Nick? What allegations?"
“So, Jonathan told me everything. About how he walked in on you guys . . .” Nick has an awkward look on his face. Then he clears his throat and continues, “You must fire Chloe. We have to safeguard the company's reputation.”
The room feels suffocating, as if the walls are closing in on me.
"F-fire Chloe?" I stammer, my voice betraying the shock and disbelief that course through me. "But . . . I can't just fire her based on accusations alone. We need evidence, a fair investigation . . . Also, I can’t just fire her because I was sleeping with her. That would be just plain wrong, because I was part of that indiscretion as well—"
"Stephen, we can't afford to wait.” Nick's stern expression remains unchanged, his gaze unwavering. “Accusations of improper workplace conduct could damage the company's credibility. We have to act swiftly to protect ourselves. And besides, Jonathan says he has proof of Chloe’s involvement with leaking the whistleblower’s identity.”
The words hang in the air, each syllable striking me like a blow. Jonathan... accusing Chloe of compromising the whistleblower investigation? My mind races to make sense of it all. How could he have such damning information? And the accusation that I've turned a blind eye to her actions because of our involvement... The room feels like it's spinning, the ground slipping beneath my feet.
"What... What are you talking about?" I manage to utter, my voice strained and shaky. The weight of Jonathan's betrayal crashes down upon me, threatening to crush my very core.
Nick's eyes meet mine as he says, "Jonathan claims that Chloe has been attempting to compromise the whistleblower investigation, and he asserts that you have been shielding her because of your relationship."
Shock reverberates through my veins, and my mind struggles to process the magnitude of the accusation.
"But what if she's innocent?" I implore. "We can't just jump to conclusions without giving her a fair chance to defend herself."
Nick's face softens slightly, a flicker of understanding in his eyes. "Stephen, I know this is difficult, but we have to consider the risks. I'm not asking you to make a decision without reason. Conduct an internal investigation, but be prepared to take action if necessary."
A swirl of conflicting emotions envelops me, drowning out reason and clouding my judgment. I find myself grasping for any thread of evidence that could refute these claims, but the doubts gnaw at my consciousness. Have I been too blind to see the truth? Has my attachment to Chloe clouded my judgment?
"Jonathan . . .Why would he do this?" I mutter, my voice filled with a mixture of anger and disbelief. The trust I had placed in him, the loyalty I had extended as a friend and colleague, is now shattered.
Nick's voice holds a hint of sympathy as he responds, "Stephen, people act out of their own motives. I can't say for certain why Jonathan would make such accusations, but we have to take them seriously and conduct a thorough investigation."
The weight of uncertainty presses down upon me, my thoughts swirling in a maelstrom of confusion. I yearn for clarity, for the truth to be revealed, but it feels elusive, slipping through my fingers like smoke. Doubt gnaws at my conscience, fueling the flames of suspicion that flicker within me.
I shake my head in disbelief, desperation etched across my face. "No, Nick, you're mistaken. Chloe would never do something like that. She's been nothing but dedicated to her work, committed to the truth. This accusation . . . it can't be true."
Nick's gaze remains fixed on me, unwavering in his resolve. "Stephen, I understand your loyalty to Chloe, but we have to consider the evidence. Jonathan claims that she has been deliberately driving a wedge between you and him since the beginning. He believes she has an agenda."
I desperately search my memories, replaying moments in my mind, searching for any signs of ulterior motives. But all I find are memories of Chloe's unwavering support, her passion for journalism, and her genuine connection with me. All I can think of are the moments we spent lost in each other’s minds and bodies, all those days and nights drenched in love . . .
"Jonathan could be mistaken," I argue, desperation seeping into my voice. "Or maybe he's trying to manipulate the situation. We can't let his accusations tarnish Chloe's reputation without concrete evidence."
Nick gives me an unkind look before saying, “Look, the ball’s in your court now, Stephen. Jonathan told me that’s he’s going to Eagle Eye’s board of directors with the proof he has.Andhe will inform them about your little . . . misdemeanor with a female colleague. I think you know what you have to do before his petition is considered by the board.”
Of course, I know what these two men want me to do. “So Jonathan is using the fact of our romantic relationship to ensure that Chloe faces all the fallout from our workplace dalliance?” I ask in a bitter tone.
“I don’t see it that way, Stephen,” Nick replies with a false look of innocence on his face. “The way I see it, you’d be getting rid of a suspicious employee and avoiding accusations of improper use of power in one deft move. Think about it some more, will you?”
A nagging voice in the back of my mind whispers, reminding me of the moments that seemed peculiar, the instances where Chloe's actions appeared slightly out of place. I had dismissed them as mere coincidences, attributing them to the stress of the job or the complexities of our growing relationship. But now, those incidents take on a different hue, casting a shadow of uncertainty upon our connection.
