Chapter Nine: Enemies in the Shadows

Ava moved quietly around the kitchen, her hands carefully placing food onto Liam's plate. Her face was drawn with worry, and the usual sparkle in her eyes was missing. She looked like someone carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. Liam noticed it instantly. Sitting across the table, he put down his fork and looked at her closely, his brows knitting together in concern.

"What's going on?" he asked gently, his deep voice soft but filled with seriousness.

Ava stopped what she was doing, her shoulders slumping as if someone had just pressed a heavy weight down on her. She let out a sigh that sounded like she'd been holding it in all day.

"I got harassed at work today," she admitted, her voice barely more than a whisper.

Liam's body went still. His eyes narrowed, and a hard edge crept into his expression.

"My coworkers accused me of having an affair with Mister Warner and called me a home wrecker."

The moment the words left her mouth, Liam's whole demeanor changed. His jaw tightened, and his fists clenched on the table. A storm of anger flashed through his eyes.

"Who would say that to you?" he growled, his tone low and dangerous.

Ava's eyes filled with tears, and she shook her head, unable to speak for a moment. Her face twisted with the sting of humiliation.

"I'm gonna make them regret that," Liam said through gritted teeth, his voice now dark and menacing.

But Ava quickly reached out and placed a calming hand on his arm, trying to soothe him before his temper could explode.

"Stop! It's okay," she said softly, trying to smile despite the ache inside. "You're just a security guard. What are you gonna do?"

She let out a short, bitter laugh as her eyes lowered.

"It's just the type of people who want to suck up to those above them and put down anyone beneath them," she said, clearly frustrated.

Then, as if determined not to let the day's darkness ruin their evening, Ava's face lit up with a small smile. She tried to shift the mood.

"Look what I brought you," she said, her eyes now gleaming with a hint of excitement. She opened a dish she had carefully wrapped, revealing a neatly arranged plate of lobster and sides.

"We had lobster for lunch today, so I brought some back."

Liam's eyes widened in surprise. It wasn't every day someone brought home something like lobster.

"You brought back lunch?" he asked, his voice mixed with amusement and gratitude.

Ava's smile grew bigger, and a playful glint appeared in her eyes.

"My coworkers kind of called you a pitiful loser, and I assumed you might have never had lobster before. So I thought I'd bring some back to share."

She cut a piece of the lobster, carefully lifting it with her fork, and held it out to him. As Liam leaned forward to take the bite, their lips brushed for a second, and he used the moment to plant a soft, sweet kiss on her lips.

Ava's cheeks turned pink as a shy smile played on her lips. Liam chewed the lobster, grinning.

"Hm, yummy," he said, his eyes crinkling with warmth and affection.

Ava suddenly stood up, her fingers wrapping around his arm, trying to pull him away from the table.

"I haven't finished my meal yet," Liam said, chuckling, clearly enjoying the moment.

Ava turned to him, her gaze locked on his. Her eyes were intense, filled with emotion.

"There are more important things to do," she whispered.

Without another word, Liam stood and followed her, the mood between them now charged with a quiet anticipation.

The next morning

Ava walked into the office with a bright smile. Her hair was neatly tied, her makeup done just right, and her steps full of confidence. It was a new day, and she was determined not to let yesterday's mess follow her.

But the moment she stepped through the door, her smile slowly faded. Miss Jade was already standing near the staircase that led up to Mister Warner's office. She looked smug, like she knew something Ava didn't. Ava's heart skipped a beat, sensing something was off.

Before she could fully gather her thoughts, the front door swung open and two women walked in. One was Miss Johnson—the woman Liam had once left standing at the altar. The other woman had a commanding presence, dressed in elegant clothes and heels that clicked sharply against the floor. It was Madeleine Warner—Mister Warner's wife.

Madeleine's eyes scanned the office like a hawk, then zeroed in on Ava.

"Who is Ava Miller?" she asked sharply, her voice cutting through the air like a blade.

Ava turned slowly, standing her ground, though her heart began to race.

"I am. What do you want?" she replied calmly.

Without any warning, Madeleine raised her hand and slapped Ava hard across the face. The sound echoed through the office like a whip crack. Ava stumbled back, stunned, her cheek burning.

"You home wrecker!" Madeleine screamed.

Ava stared at her, shocked, trying to process what had just happened.

"Why did you slap me?" she asked, her voice shaking.

"You're sleeping with my husband, aren't you?" Madeleine shrieked.

Gasps filled the room. Colleagues peeked over cubicles and watched the scene unfold with wide eyes. Emily and Mike, standing nearby, couldn't help themselves.

"Wow, I've never seen a woman catch her husband cheating before," Mike whispered.

Emily leaned in closer. "Here comes the drama," she murmured.

Mike added with a smirk, "It seems she really is fucking with Mister Warner."

Jade, who had been quiet until now, looked at Ava with a face full of judgment and disgust.

Ava, still holding her cheek, turned to Madeleine.

"I didn't sleep or do anything with your husband," she said firmly.

Madeleine wasn't buying it. Her voice dripped with venom.

"Don't play dumb with me. The whole office is talking about it."

Ava's hands clenched into fists at her sides as her eyes flashed with defiance.

"You said I was sleeping with your husband. Where's your proof?"

Miss Johnson, not one to miss an opportunity to twist the knife, stepped in.

"Your outfit looks pretty expensive, isn't it?" she said mockingly. "What's that, at least three grand? There's no way you'll be able to afford that on your own."

Her eyes narrowed as she delivered her punchline.

"Did Grant buy it for you?"

Ava stared at her coolly.

"No, my husband did," she replied, her tone calm but icy. "It was a gift."

Jade, standing behind her, sneered.

"Ava, your husband's a deadbeat, living off of you," she said with a laugh.

"So stop the charade," she added. "This company won't put up with a slut like you."

Ava's face turned red with anger. She spun around to face them all, her voice loud now, her patience gone.

"All of you are spouting nonsense, but I didn't do anything wrong," she said, her gaze moving from one person to the next.

"I don't really care," she added sharply. "You can just say whatever you want."

She turned to walk away, but Madeleine stepped in her path, eyes blazing with fury.

"You're not going anywhere," she growled. "I'm gonna tear you up."

At that moment, a voice echoed from the staircase.

"Madeleine?!"

Everyone turned to see Mister Warner standing halfway down the stairs. He had clearly heard the shouting and seen what was happening. His eyes widened as he saw his wife gripping Ava's dress.

Without thinking, he rushed down the stairs, tension crackling in the air like a thunderstorm was about to break.