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Chapter 6
I had barely stepped out of the elevator when someone grabbed my arm.
It was Gavin’s mother.
She frowned at me in disapproval. “Isn’t today the investor meeting? What are you doing here?”
She had raised Gavin alone after divorcing his father.
My parents had helped her countless times over the years, quietly and without asking for anything in return. But in the past life, she had watched indifferently as my parents died–and then happily welcomed Madeline as her daughter–in–law.
“Whatever. It’s already settled. Go or don’t, it’s your problem.”
Just then, a group of shareholders‘ families walked by, carrying flowers and ribbons, all smiles.
“I heard once the funding goes through today, the company’s going public next!”
“We’ve finally made it! Trusting Gavin was worth it–even all those loans we took out.”
They walked into the office, laughing and chatting–only to run headfirst into the furious investors.
I stepped aside, avoiding their gaze, and quietly followed the investors.
The families entered the meeting room, only to find the shareholders inside looking pale and devastated.
“What’s going on? Wasn’t today the big investment day?”
“It’s over. I told you we shouldn’t have let Sloane go.”
“Exactly! We pissed off the investors–now look where we are.”
They started blaming each other, and soon the families caught on.
“What? The funding fell through? What the hell did you people do? Where’s Sloane?”
“I think I saw her earlier..
The shareholders perked up instantly.
“Quick! Bring her back. She might be our last shot!”
I had just helped the investors into Spencer’s company car when a crowd came rushing toward me.
“Where are the investors? Are they gone? Sloane, call them–get them back!”
I looked at their panicked faces and laughed coldly inside.
“I was fired, remember? How am I supposed to contact the investors now?”
“What’s going on? Wasn’t this supposed to be guaranteed?”
“If the company collapses, what about our debts? We’ll go bankrupt!”
‘The shareholders‘ families broke into frantic sobs, clinging to Gavin, demanding answers.
Then Madeline pointed right at me.
“This is all Sloane’s fault! She quif, refused to do the presentation, and even messed up the refreshments. That’s why the investors
left.”
“If you don’t believe me, just ask Gavin!”
Everyone turned to Gavin. I stared at him too, waiting.
Chapter 6
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Through the crowd, I saw Gavin’s lips press into a tight line then he nodded.
In that instant, my heart dropped into a void.
“No…”
The outraged crowd didn’t let me speak. They swarmed me, shouting and hitting.
“What the hell is wrong with you? We invested everything–we’re ruined now because of you!”
“Beat her! She deserves it!”
My wounds from the dog attack reopened, and my body was covered in fresh scratches from their nails. I looked like a complete wreck
And Gavin stood silently on the sidelines.
“What the hell are you doing? Get away from my daughter!”
My father appeared out of nowhere, shoving people aside to reach me. He helped me up, his eyes full of aching concern.
“It’s her fault we lost everything! Your family better cover our debts!”
“Yeah! All the bank loans–we want your family to pay them back!”
Tears welled in my father’s eyes, but he stood firm in front of me. A rock hit his head, splitting it open. Blood streamed down his face.
I cried out, voice trembling with rage and grief.
“Don’t you people get it? It was Madeline who wanted to serve Yoo–hoo to the investors! They locked me up in a basement…‘
“Liar! Gavin’s your fiancé. Who would dare lock you up?”
“Exactly! Everyone knows how powerful you were at the company. You sabotaged us on purpose!”
The shareholders, blinded by rage, unleashed their fury on me and my father.
We were swallowed by the mob.
My father shielded me as best he could, his voice barely holding together.
“Hang on, Sloane. I’ve already called the cops. In this life, I swear I’ll protect you.”
I stared at him in disbelief, tears pouring down my cheeks.
Turns out, my father had been reborn, too.
Chapter 6
