Chapter 211
In the downtown of Jacaster, where every inch of land is worth its weight in gold, stood the luxurious Celestia Apartment. Hilda Larson cast a sly glance towards the bathroom, listening to the man inside humming cheerily as he showered. A sharp glint flashed in her eyes, Standing by the floor–to–ceiling window, she watched as a sleek black Maybach pulled up. The smile on her lips grew wider. Her scheming grin reflected mindusly in the bright windowpane, and then, with a swift motion, she slapped her own checks twice and mussed up her hair and shirt Grabbing a pill bottle from the desk, she popped out a capsule into her mouth and then planted the bottle in the man’s bag
The sound of the shower stopped, and the door swung open, revealing Karl Zamora, dressed in nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist. He wiped water from his face, a cheeky grin spreading across his lips, which froze the moment he saw Hilda’s distressed state, sobbing and disheveled. “What the… what happened here?” he asked, his smile vanishing.
Hilda’s face flushed with faux terror when she heard a knock at the door and rushed to answer it. The moment she saw Graham, tears burst from her eyes, unleashing all her pent–up feigned misery. “Mr. Whitlock! Her legs gave way, and she collapsed to her knees.
Graham reached out to support her, and she fell into his embrace, her cheek swollen and bleeding at the mouth. He then turned his gaze to Karl behind her, his aura darkening. “What have you done to her?”
Karl knew he was in deep trouble if he couldn’t explain fast. He thed to speak, but Hilda was quicker, “Mr. Zamora cornered me in the lobby, forced me upstairs, made me take some pills, and took photos, threatening to post them online if I tried to run. Mr. Whitlock, I’m so scared!”
Graham’s eyes darkened with fury as he looked at Karl I had no idea Ted Zamora’s son had the guts to… you know forcible coercion can get you how many years?”
Karl’s face turned ashen. “She’s lying! I was waiting for her downstairs because I wanted to court her. She invited me up here! The moment I arrived, she was all over me, kissing me passionately, and she wanted me to take pictures of her. Then she told me to take a shower. But when I came out, she turned into this crying mess! I don’t know what’s going on!”
Graham considered the truth of his words for a moment. Hilda, pot wanting him to doubt her story, clutched Graham’s shirt tighter, “Mr. Whitlock, he’s lying. He forcibly brought me up here to overpower me, and when I resisted, he hit me.”
Pulling at her wrinkled shirt, Hilda began to sob, “Look what he did to me!”
“Wait, no! That’s not true. She’s faking it Karl protested in panic.
Hilda pulled off her shirt, revealing her back, “So did I give myself these bruises too? How?” Her back was mottled with bruises from a fall at the gym.
Graham’s icy gaze stayed on Karl, “So, she injured her own back?
Karl looked frantic and innocent, “I swear it wasn’t me!”
Hilda sobbed even harder, “Mr. Whitlock, I feel so terrible! Can you please ask him to leave?”
Graham pushed the women away gently and took out his phone to call the police. Hilda frowned, she wanted Karl out of the picture so she could have Graham to herself, but she hadn’t expected Craham would actually call the cops.
Karl was blindsided by Graham’s move. “Mr. Whitlock, can’t we talk this out? Please don’t call the cops!” Karl wasn’t scared because he was guilty but because he knew his father, Ted, would never believe his innocence. With a lifestyle that wasn’t great to start with, and a brand–new half–brother waiting to take his place, getting kicked out of the family company seemed likely. Today was a bust; Hilda clearly set him up to draw Graham’s attention.
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Hilda didn’t amicipate Graham would call the police either. She intended to use Karl, not send him to jail. Offending the Zamora family was not on her to–do list. She pleaded, “Mr. Whitlock, please don’t call. If this gets out, I won’t be able to live with myself
+
Graham raised an eyebrows, you want to settle privately? What kind of compensation are you considering?”
“I… I don’t know,” Hilda managed between sobs. “I can’t stand to see him. It’s just too much.”
Graham’s gaze turned icy as he addressed Karl. “Record your confession. If you ever think about taking revenge on Hilda, you’ll pay the price!”
Convinced he’d been dealt a losing hand but vowing to settle the score later, Karl recorded his statement and hastily got dressed to leave.
The drug’s effects were coursing through Hilda as she tore off her shirt, tossed it aside, and lunged at Graham. He frowned. and stepped back, and she missed her mark. Tears brimmed at the bottom of Hilda’s eyes. “Mr. Whitlock. I really can’t stand it. Can’t you help me? I swear I won’t cling to you
Graham looked at her pitiful expression and said coldly. “Ms. Larson, I’ll pretend today’s incident never happened. Some things, when revealed, really spoil the mood. I hope this doesn’t happen again.”
Hilda bit her lip tightly. Watching the man resolutely close the door, any restraint she had on her rage and restlessness vanished. In a frenzy, she threw a vase from the coffee table to the floor and hysterically screamed a few times before grabbing her phone to make a call. “I feel so bad. Come over now!”
“Well, finally the beauty remembers me.
Hilda shed her remaining clothes. “If you’re not coming, forget it, I’ll find someone else!”
“Don’t be mad! I’m on 1
“My apartment.” Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.
my way now. Where to?
After she hung up, Hilda walked to the window, watching as Graham’s car pulled away. She bit down hard, shattering the veneer of her composure, and didn’t even get a second glance from him. The worst part was that Graham had seen through her ruse; she realized she’d have to retire that trick,
In the back seat of the Maybach, under the dim glow of the lights, Graham’s handsome face emerged in and out of the shadows. He rubbed his temples, then dialed a number, “Did you bring Hilda Larson into the company?”
The HR director was taken aback by the unexpected call from the president and broke out in a cold sweat. “Yes, that’s
correct.
“Process her termination first thing tomorrow.”
“Absolutely, right away.”
Graham continued quictly, “And prepare your own as well.”
“Mr. Whitlock…
“You don’t want to stay in Jacaster?”
The HR director clammed up immediately, understanding he had crossed a line with Graham. Initially, he hadn’t been able to resist the substantial incentives offered by Hilda Larson. Now, he bitterly regretted offending such a significant figure. He opened his mouth but no words came out.
Graham, annoyed, unbuttoned his collar and closed his eyes. His phone vibrated suddenly. As soon as he saw it was Julianna calling, he answered immediately.
“Jackass… The curse was the first thing he heard as he picked up followed by the sounds of Julianna retching. Graham felt a mix of amusement and annoyance.
蝶家79%,
He ordered his driver to Julianna’s apartment and arranged for a locksmith. Inside, he found Julianna slumped beside the toilet in the bathroom. He sighed, picked her up to clean her up, then carried her to bed and gently wiped her down with a
towel.
Julianna mumbled sofily, and Graham, straining to hear, leaned in closer. “Graham Whitlock, jerk..
Graham pressed his forehead, couldn’t believe even in her delirium she was cursing him out. After showering, he lay next to her and his fingers traced her beautiful lips before he kissed her.
The next morning, as Julianna woke up, she saw Graham’s face much closer than expected. She looked at him in horror, trying to piece together the events of the previous night. Memory gaps were usual after she drank.
Graham raised an eyebrow, “Remember anything?”
Julianna cautiously lifted the blanket with trembling hands and let out a shriek when she realized she was practically undressed. “What did you do to me?!” she accused.
Graham’s hand steadied her head, “What do you think?”