Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 71 - Chapitre 80

Samantha staggered backward into her apartment, both hands clutching her cheeks where the sting of the slap still burned like fire beneath her skin. The force of it had left her momentarily disoriented, her vision slightly blurred, her thoughts scrambling to catch up with what had just happened. Before she could fully steady herself, Casey stepped in and quietly shut the door, sealing the tension inside the room. Samantha didn’t ask why she had been slapped. She didn’t need to. Deep down, she already understood. Every decision she had made, every risk she had taken, had led to this moment. Questioning Casey would only make things worse. The room fell into a heavy silence, thick and suffocating. It lingered for a few seconds, stretching uncomfortably, until Casey finally broke it. “Don’t you ever ignore me again. Do you understand?” Her voice was calm, but it carried a sharp edge that made it far more terrifying than if she had shouted. Samantha nodded quickly, fear flashing across

Lucy turned toward Samantha, her expression firm, almost impatient, as though she couldn’t understand why Samantha was reacting the way she was. “Calm down,” she said, her tone steady but lacking softness. “I did what needed to be done.” Samantha stood frozen, one hand pressed tightly against her chest, her breathing uneven as the reality of the situation continued to sink in. Lucy crossed her arms and continued, “Now she won’t be a problem anymore. Casey won’t interfere with you again.” She took a step closer, her voice lowering slightly. “We already have too many eyes on us—too much pressure surrounding everything we’re trying to accomplish. Especially with that file we still need to retrieve. And Casey…” she paused briefly, “…Casey wasn’t just another obstacle. She was worse than all the rest combined.” Samantha shook her head slowly, her eyes still fixed on Lucy. “Why?” she asked, her voice trembling. “Why would you do something like this… and why this way?” Lucy’s expression

The next day, another package arrived, and I rejected it once again. The following day, yet another one was delivered, and I still refused it. By today, another package had been brought to the area where I was assigned to clean—neatly wrapped, elegant, and unmistakably expensive, just like the rest. I didn’t need to check the sender to know it was from Michael. The presentation alone gave him away. Everything about it screamed careful selection, intention, and wealth. Still, none of that moved me. Without hesitation, I pushed it aside. I didn’t even bother opening it. It wasn’t the first time, and at this point, it had become almost routine. But this time, my colleagues noticed. They had seen the deliveries before, but my consistent rejection was starting to spark real curiosity. “Okay, seriously,” Emily said, leaning against the wall with her arms folded, her eyes narrowing playfully. “Who keeps sending you these things?” I glanced at the box briefly before answering. “Michael.”

“Even if you don’t want me in your life,” Michael began, his voice low and heavy with emotion, “at least give me a reason why. Help me understand. Just this once… be honest with me. I deserve that much.” His words didn’t come out rushed this time. They were slow, deliberate—each one weighed down by the pain he was trying so hard to contain. He paused briefly, as if gathering the courage to continue, then let out a shaky breath. “Go on,” he added, his tone softer now but no less intense. “Tell me the truth. Or do you not think I deserve to know?” His eyes searched mine, filled with hurt and confusion. “What have I ever done to you, Audrey, to be treated like this? I love you… and yet you push me away like I’m nothing. Like I don’t matter.” I couldn’t move. I couldn’t speak. I just stood there, frozen under the weight of his gaze. “You barely give me your time,” he continued, his voice cracking slightly. “Every time I try to get close to you, you shut me out. You always have an excu

Michael’s expression shifted the moment my words settled in. It was as if something inside him cracked—something that had been holding him together until now. Then, unexpectedly, he let out a low chuckle. It wasn’t one of amusement. It carried bitterness, disbelief… and anger. “Oh… I see,” he said slowly, shaking his head as realization dawned on him. “So that’s how he climbed his way to the top. His success… his power… it all makes sense now.” His eyes darkened. “With someone like Samantha—the tycoon’s daughter—by his side, of course he’d get there.” I stiffened. The way he said it made my heart pound harder. “I’ll deal with Alan,” Michael continued, his tone sharpening dangerously. “In a way that will make him forget we were ever business partners.” The determination in his voice sent a wave of fear through me. He turned, already heading toward the door, clearly intending to act on his anger. But before he could take another step, I reached out and grabbed his arm tightly. “Mi