Chapter 3
James' face went ashen. He tried to pull Emily away from my desk, but she clung to the edge like she'd lost her mind.
"James, let go of me. Are you feeling sorry for her now? Did her pitiful act get to you?
"I knew it. The second she showed up, you two were ready to get back together."
A few of the company's directors happened to pass by. They took one look at the chaos and frowned, their expressions turning grim.
One of them, Grant Warren, with whom I get along fairly well, walked over and asked in a low voice, "What's going on here?"
Before I could speak, Emily rushed forward and broke down in front of him.
"You're a director, right? You have to stand up for me!
"Olivia from your company is using her position to harass my fiancé, James. We're about to get married, and she still won't leave us alone."
Grant glanced at me, then at the crowd of employees watching, his face growing even darker.
"Miss, do you know what the penalty for defamation is?"
Emily froze, clearly not expecting that response.
I took a steady breath and turned to James. "Are you going to explain those messages?"
He avoided my eyes, his lips moving slightly. "She's just too sensitive."
Emily exploded on the spot. She rushed up to me and pointed straight at my face.
"See? You're at it again, trying to seduce him. That's how you are. You sent those shameless messages, and now you're pretending to be innocent. Do you have no shame at all?"
Her twisted logic left me momentarily speechless.
The entire office had gathered to watch, whispers spreading through the room.
"I'm calling the police about this," I said, forcing myself to stay calm.
"The police?" Emily let out a mocking laugh.
"Feeling guilty now? Trying to scare me into keeping quiet? Let me tell you, I'm not afraid of anything today. I'm going to make sure everyone sees who you really are."
As soon as she finished, she pulled a fruit knife out of her bag and pressed it hard against her wrist.
A wave of gasps rippled through the crowd as people stumbled back, the situation spiraling out of control.
I froze.
She's completely lost it.
"Emily!" James' eyes turned red, his voice shaking. "Put the knife down. Now."
Tears streamed down her face as she looked at him, then she turned to me with pure hatred in her eyes.
"Today, either this woman gets out, or I die right here and let my blood settle things for you."
The scene collapsed into full chaos.
Lily's face went pale as she fumbled to call security and emergency services.
Even Grant looked shaken. He clearly hadn't expected things to go this far.
His voice turned sharp as he snapped at Emily, "Why are you causing a scene in our company and making false accusations against Ms. Shaw?"
That only made her more hysterical.
"So you're all in this together. Of course you are. You're from the same company, so you're all covering for her, the other woman."
I almost laughed at how absurd her logic was.
James edged toward Emily, moving carefully.
"Emily, please, put the knife down, okay? Let's go home and talk. We'll handle everything there. I'll agree to whatever you want."
"I'm not going back." She waved the knife, agitated.
"Unless you cut off all contact with her right now and end this deal immediately. Promise me. Say it in front of everyone."
All eyes turned to James.
If he terminated the deal, his company would face massive penalties and a serious hit to its reputation, possibly even collapse.
If he didn't, his fiancée might hurt herself right here, in front of him, in my office.
Sweat beaded on his forehead. He shut his eyes in pain, then opened them again, his expression set.
"Ms. Shaw, I'm sorry. We're unilaterally terminating this partnership. My company will take full responsibility for any breach."
A triumphant smile spread across Emily's face.
She loosened her grip, and the fruit knife clattered to the floor.
I watched the whole spectacle, feeling numb.
This performance really was something.
"Mr. Carter," I said slowly, "if I remember correctly, you're just a project director, aren't you?"
James frowned, confused.
I went on, "Since when does a project director have the authority to make that kind of call on behalf of the company? To cancel a contract on your own?"
People around us exchanged looks, clearly realizing the same issue.
I picked up the desk phone and dialed, putting the call on speaker in front of everyone.
"Hello, Mr. Lawrence? This is Olivia.
"I'd like to confirm something. Your project director, James, just told us he's unilaterally terminating our partnership. Is that an official decision from your company?"
A shocked voice came through the line. "What?