46 Chapter 46 – Confronting the Tribunal
I returned to my office feeling like a wild animal trapped in a cage. My body was wound tight with desperation, every fiber of my being screaming to chase after Hazel and fall to my knees begging for her forgiveness. But I couldn’t just storm out like some unhinged lunatic. She was working at West’s firm now, and barging in there would only make her despise me more than she already did.
“So, Liam, I’ve known you for most of my life, and you’ve never been unfair to anyone. What the hell happened?” Adrian asked, settling behind his desk.
This was exactly what I didn’t need. Hazel’s fierce protector standing between us like a guard dog, ready to tear my throat out. I forced myself to breathe deeply, keeping my voice calm and measured.
“Chloe, I was a complete fool, and I need to apologize to her. We discovered what really happened. I was wrong about Hazel, and I want her forgiveness. I want her to come back.”
“Liam, stay the hell away from Hazel. You’ve already destroyed her. What more could you possibly want? I won’t stand by and watch you hurt her again.”
I turned to face her, forcing my voice to remain steady. “Good afternoon, Miss Chloe. How are you today?”
“Fine, better here than at her apartment where Leo might see this mess.” Chloe huffed and rolled her eyes in resignation. “But if you hurt her again, I’ll castrate you with my bare hands!”
We filed into Adrian’s office, and I felt like I was facing a tribunal. Chloe’s gaze could have melted steel, and Adrian, who had been my friend since we were kids, looked at me with disappointment that cut deeper than any blade.
I knew Chloe’s opinion of me had hit rock bottom, but I couldn’t blame her for that. I also knew she would fight tooth and nail to protect her friend, which meant keeping me as far away as possible because I had already caused enough damage.
“Follow me. I’ll check if Mr. West is available to see you.”
Adrian studied me for a long moment, as if he could see the desperation eating me
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alive from the inside. He shook his head and looked at Chloe.
“Oh, so the spoiled prince was absolutely certain there was no other explanation and that Hazel was the only person capable of betraying him. He needed concrete proof of her innocence instead of simply trusting the woman he claimed to love. You’re such a bastard, Liam! You have no idea how much damage you’ve done to my friend. You need to stay far away from her.”
Chapter 46–Confronting the Tribunal
But waiting until the end of the workday felt impossible. The walls of my office seemed to be closing in, suffocating me with each passing second. I made my decision and grabbed my jacket, telling Bianca I was done for the day. Every muscle in my body tensed as I looked at her, wanting nothing more than to drag that venomous snake out of my building and throw her onto the street. But I had to control myself. I had to wait for the right moment.
“That’s the whole story. When we found those messages, all evidence
ted directly
to Hazel’s guilt. It seemed like the only logical conclusion at the time. The setup was masterfully orchestrated, and only today did I receive confirmation that it wasn’t Hazel but Bianca who betrayed me.”
“Liam, the only reason I’m not punching you in the face right now is because you’re my friend and I know you’re not usually such a heartless bastard. But what you did was incredibly cruel and unforgivable.” Adrian’s voice was heavy with disappointment. “Honestly, I think you should forget about Hazel. She’ll never forgive you for this.” “Take it easy, Chloe. Men are idiots by nature.” Adrian tried to play peacemaker. “But you really did behave like a monster toward Hazel. Look, Liam, this woman arrived here completely shattered, like a broken doll. Those bright, sparkling eyes I saw when we first met are completely gone now. She’s wounded and suffering deeply. You had barely started dating, from what I understand, and you didn’t even give her a chance to defend herself.”
She didn’t return my pleasantries. Instead, she gestured toward her office with the coldness of an executioner leading a condemned man to the gallows.
“You’re worried about your friend, and I respect that. But he’s also my friend, and he’s being genuine right now, believe me.” Adrian said to Chloe. “I think we should let them talk here in my office because he won’t stop until he speaks with her. This way, if he acts like a bastard again, I’ll punch him in the face myself, and you can comfort Hazel
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immediately. Let her decide if she wants to hear what he has to say, Chloe
“No, I don’t. Hazel is extremely professional about personal matters. She only mentioned that you accused her of leaking confidential information, which she didn’t do, and I believe her completely. As for Chloe, the only information she’s shared is that you’re a heartless bastard, an idiot, and a fool. Which I’m also inclined to believe.” Adrian’s lips curved in a humorless smile.
Chloe’s sarcastic laughter filled the room as she spoke with cutting mockery,
The moment we were out of Ava’s sight, Chloe whirled around and jabbed her finger toward my face, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.
“Well, this should be interesting” Adrian’s voice came from behind me, and I knew my day was about to get even worse. “I’d love to hear about whatever stupidity you pulled with Hazel, Liam. Let me tell you, I barely know the woman, but her references are impeccable. I assume you did the same thorough background check when you hired her, so I’m confused about what could have gone wrong
Adrian stood with his hands in his pockets, studying me like I was a specimen under a microscope. “Let’s discuss this in my office. Chloe, you’re coming too.”
The drive to West’s company was a blur of racing thoughts and pounding heartbeats. My hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles turned white. I would ask Adrian for help, find a way to speak with Hazel without humiliating her in front of her new colleagues.
“But I have to try, Adrian!” The words came out broken, and I felt tears burning behind my eyes. “Please help me. I can’t lose her.”
I rubbed my face with both hands and forced myself to explain everything that had transpired, including our recent discovery about who had actually planted those incriminating messages on Hazel’s computer.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Sterling. How may I help you?”
West’s secretary looked up with professional courtesy, though I could see the confusion in her eyes when I appeared without an appointment in the middle of a Tuesday afternoon.
“You don’t know the details? I asked, glancing at Chloe.
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“I’ll handle this, Ava. Mr. Sterling is here to see me. Chloe’s voice was sharp as a blade, and I could feel her eyes burning holes through my back.
“Chloe, I’m not here to hurt Hazel. I just want to speak with her, but I thought it would be appropriate to go through Adrian first.”
Adrian stared at me in shock as Chloe recounted every detail of my confrontation with Hazel. She spoke as if she had witnessed every cruel word I had thrown at the woman I
loved.
“I’ll call Hazel up here now.” Adrian said, clearly amused by Chloe’s threat.
Before I could respond, a voice behind me made my blood run cold.
“It’s much worse than that, boss. He insulted Hazel, told her she’d only find work in the gutter, that he’d make sure she never worked in this city again, and countless other vicious things.”
Her eyes blazed with pure hatred, and I realized that in her mind, I was already the villain of this story.
“Listen carefully, Liam. Don’t you dare think about harming my friend again. My boss won’t fire her, and if you continue this pathetic campaign to destroy Hazel’s career, my father’s attorney will bury you in lawsuits. And trust me, he’s the best lawyer in this
country.”
Liam’s POV
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