19: Trouble smells

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• Let Me Go, Boss!   79: Gone…

  Jax’s POV I adjusted my cufflinks for the fifth time, not because they needed it, but because it gave me something to do. Something to keep my hands busy so I wouldn’t start clenching my fists again. My jaw locked when our sleek black car pulled to the curb. I couldn’t breathe. The door opened and Riley stepped out, she put out one leg first. I remembered it clearly, it was long, smooth, and impossibly sexy, and then the rest of her came out. Her dress was navy satin, hugging every inch of her body. One slit slid dangerously high up to her upper thigh and the neckline dipped low enough to remind me of things I had no business remembering. Her hair was twisted up in a way that exposed the fragile line of her neck. And I couldn’t help but wonder how my hands would look wrapped around it. The car ride to the venue was suffocating. She sat by the window, legs crossed, fingers resting lightly on her lap while her fac

• Let Me Go, Boss!   78: just business

  Riley’s Pov The second I stepped into my house, I dropped my purse onto the couch. A copy of the contract was still tucked inside. I didn’t need to pull it out—I could already feel it burning through the fabric, reminding me that I’d signed away something I couldn’t get back. I kicked off my heels and waltzed toward my bedroom like someone walking through water. Each one of my limbs felt heavy and my thoughts even heavier. The bed welcomed me like it knew what I was going through. I collapsed onto it, not bothering to change, not even bothering to turn on the light. My eyes traced the cracks in the ceiling while my heart tried to make sense of it all. Jax Maddox. The name used to mean something to me. But now I didn’t even know what to think. The kiss had meant something to me…God, I wished it hadn’t, but it did. The way his hand gripped my waist. The way his eyes lingered on mine like they were the only thing in the room. The softness of lips when it met mine. And then… he fired

• Let Me Go, Boss!   77: Not sorry

  Riley’s POV I let myself sit in the silence and wonder if my pride was going to cost me more than just a job. Half a million dollars was a lot of money, a whole lot… it could literally change my life if I just accepted. I could pay off for the whole house at once and could also pay off all of my student loans, alongside my sisters… But at what price huh? By selling myself to that idiot who didn’t even think twice before firing me? My phone buzzed against the table and I quickly stood up to see who was calling. Vanessa. This can’t be good. I sat down quickly and swiped to answer. “Hey, Ness. What’s wrong?” She didn’t answer right away. I could hear the faint beep of machines and a background noise that made my skin prickle. Then I heard her voice, quiet and breathy. “Riley… I didn’t want to call you, I know you’re going through a lot, but—” “Are you okay?” I cut in. “Where are you?” “I’m at County General. The ER sent me up. It’s my stomach, but it’s… more complicated than t

• Let Me Go, Boss!   76: Fake Girl

  Riley’s PovA knock came in just after I had forced myself to eat some silly food. The leftovers still sat on the coffee table: half-picked noodles, a glass of water, and the same flickering muted news channel that had been buzzing in the background all day.I stared at the door and another two soft knocks rang from behind it. My stomach sank. Please no more reporters. Not another neighbor with questions they were too polite to keep to themselves.I approached the door slowly and looked through the peephole.Caleb.I sighed out in relief. At least, this I could deal with. I opened the door partway. “What do you want?” I asked, placing my hand on my waist. He smiled a bit, “Can I at least come in?”I didn’t move, I just stared at him. “I’m not here to fight,” he said, holding up a folder like it was supposed to be a proof of peace. “Just here to talk. Give me five minutes.”I stepped aside without a word.He walked in like he’d been here before. Like the space didn’t feel too small

• Let Me Go, Boss!   75: Distractions

  Caleb’s POVThe hum of multiple screens bathed my office in a cold, ghost-blue glow. Tweets flew across one monitor. Emails pinged like gnats. My phone was buzzing again—probably another alert about the goddamn video.#Scandal.#JaxMaddoxExposed.#UndergroundKing.I exhaled through my nose and rubbed my temples. “They’re vultures.”On one screen, a gossip blog was running a blurry clip of Jax firing Riley. No audio, just a shaky video taken by one of the interns probably. Riley’s face—shocked. Jax’s expression—cold. Ruthless.On another screen: forums dissecting old footage of Jax playing tennis in some low-lit, shady underground gym. Conspiracy theories, think-pieces, timelines—people digging like their rent depended on it.I clicked over to my inbox. Journalists circling like sharks. A few asking for comment. Some demanding answers.This wasn’t just a PR

• Let Me Go, Boss!   74: illegal

  Jax’s povI was halfway through a video call with the sponsorship team when the door burst open.“I’ll call you back,” I said, cutting the Zoom without waiting for their reply.Caleb tossed his tablet onto my desk, screen up. “You’ve seen this?”I leaned over, frowning.The headline wasn’t from a major outlet—yet. But the blood in my chest ran cold anyway:“Underground Tennis Circuit: Which Prodigies Risked It All for Money?”The site was nothing more than a glorified blog, but the story had over twelve thousand shares. Reddit had picked it up. X too. People were talking. Which meant a bigger outlet would be sniffing around soon.“They haven’t named names,” Caleb said. “Yet.”I leaned back, the leather chair groaning under the weight of my tension. “Why the hell are they even digging this up?”“Apparently, someone’s talking. One of the old players, maybe. Or a coach. It’s all anonymous right now, but the timeline lines up with you. Everyone’s speculating already.”I raked my hand thro