9:52 AM
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Aria’s POV
I slightly rounded my eyes at him. Stunned.
W–What does he mean by that?
“Are you ready to tell me what really happened?” he asked.
“Oh… Yeah.”
I wiped my face. My voice still sounded like I’d swallowed gravel. I told him how I got this job…and how I was so broke that I’d been secretly living in the supermarket.
God.
I thought I’d already hit bottom when I begged him for a job.
Yet turns out, this was my new low.
When I finished, I didn’t even dare look at him.
A guy like him would never understand what it’s like to be homeless. Would he look at me like everyone else out there does? Like I’m a street whore.
“I see,” he said eventually. “Can you stand? Wipe your face. Let’s get back.”
Nervous, I got up and followed him.
So, what now?
Was he going to fire me?
Or ask me to pay for all the water and electricity that I have used?
Oh dear Moon Goddess this was so humiliating.
At the front, that assistant named Nova was standing by the entrance, keeping an eye on everyone. Jonathan and my manager were huddled together, looking tense as hell.
“Alpha Grayson!” The manager rushed over the second he saw us. His voice was practically shaking. “Please don’t believe anything that girl says. She’s a shameless liar. The worst employee anyone can possibly have!”
I glared at him.
Funny how he didn’t have a problem with me when I volunteered to cover all the shifts that no one else wanted.
“Any accusations need evidence. Otherwise, it’s defamation,” Nova said loudly.
“The evidence is right there! She was sleeping in the store without my permission. God knows how much electricity and water she used, or how much food she’s stolen! What if she’s carrying a disease? What if she infected our customers?”
“I submitted my health report when I got hired,” I snapped. “I’m clean.”
He ignored me and continued ranting, “You don’t know about these poor girls, Ms. Nova. They are freakishly greedy. Always try to leech off big companies with good benefits. Like fucking cockroach.”
My face turned red at his insult.
Just when I was about to fire back, Grayson interrupted his jabber:
“Enough. You’re fired.”
Silence.
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9:52 AM
Chapter 6
The air went dead still.
I thought he was talking to me at first. Then I realized…he meant the manager.
The manager’s mouth dropped open in horror. He nearly collapsed. “W–what?! Why Alpha? I–I don’t understand-”
*All of our supermarkets are supposed to provide employee housing and 3 meals a day. Tell me why Ms. Collins didn’t receive any of those benefits.”
My jaw dropped.
Wait a second… Housing and meals?
23
I’d never even heard of them. And I bet May or any of the other employees hadn’t either.
“That’s right,” Nova chimed in, eyes locked on the now pale–as–a–sheet manager. “The company allocates hundreds of thousands to each store every year just to make sure employees are cared for. If Aria had gotten what she was owed, she wouldn’t have had to sleep cold floor. So did you pocket those funds yourself?”
on
a
The manager swallowed hard.
He looked like he wanted to argue, but the look on his face said it all.
“Nova,” Grayson said icily, “once his termination’s processed, file charges for embezzlement. I want him serving no less than 20 years.”
“Understood, Alpha.”
20 years.
I felt dizzy.
Grayson had spoken less than ten words. And just like that, this man’s entire future was done.
That was real fucking power.
The manager dropped to his knees, horrified. He sobbed and begged, wailing about his kids and his family. But it was too late.
Grayson didn’t even look at him. His cold gaze shifted to Jonathan.
The guy was so cocky and arrogant before. But now he was literally shaking like a scared cat. “A–Alpha Grayson, please, let me ex
explain. I -I had nothing to do with this-”
“You said Aria was stealing and suggested to throw her in jail. Now show me your evidence,” Grayson demanded darkly.
!…I don’t have any. But had reason to be suspicious! Back at Apex, she lost us à million–dollar deal. She’s shady.”
“That’s not evidence,” Grayson’s voice was harsh like a blade.
“I–I–I’m sorry Alpha. I don’t know what I was thinking…I can apologize to her right now…”
Grayson cut him off. “Save it for HR. They’ll be investigating whether you’ve fabricated claims about any other subordinates.”
“No wait–I just brought in a huge deal last year! I’m a valuable employee! Please don’t do this to me…
Yet Grayson had already walked pass him, leaving the store in long strides.
Jonathan breathed heavily in panic. Suddenly, he spun around and lurched toward me, his face twisted in rage.
“You better explain to Alpha about this,” he hissed
Teyed him coldly. “What’s there to explain? He got the whole truth.”
“Goddammit, you pathetic bitch! I can’t lose my fucking job over this! I swear to God, Aria-”
“If you threaten Miss Collins again,” Nova appeared at my side like a guardian angel, “I’ll fire you myself and press charges for harassment.”
2/3
9:52 AM
Chapter 6
Two bodyguards stepped up behind me. Jonathan took one look at them and shut his mouth. But his eyes still burned with hate.
“Come Ms. Collins.”
Nova and the guards escorted me outside. It was honestly a little surreal–walking out surrounded by a large group like I was some kind of VIP. It was a brand–new experience.
“If that asshole bothers you again, you tell Alpha,” Nova huffed.
I gave her an appreciate smile. But honestly, I don’t think I’d want to bother Grayson with my problem again.
He obviously didn’t care. Or he couldn’t care because of his relationship to Dalilah and Jace. He made it very clear last time at his office.
Outside of the store, his car–THE car–was waiting. The only silver Rolls–Royce in the entire Redstone Pack.
He was by the car signing something one of his staff handed him. He looked busy. Too busy to even talk to me.
I hesitated whether I should go over there. But then he turned and looked right at me, and my heart did a somersault.
“Thank you,” I murmured. “Really.”
He brushed off another document from the staff and stepped closer, giving me his full attention.
“What’s your plan now?” he asked.
“Well…” I gave him a nervous smile. “I guess I can’t work here anymore? So….probably find another job? But if I accidentally end up at one of your restaurants or malls, you can’t think I’m stalking you again. Your empire’s just that big.”
He didn’t laugh at that joke.
- OK. Just kill me now.
“What about housing?” he asked with a frown.
“I’ll probably crash with a friend for a few days. Or maybe… sleep on the floor in my grandma’s hospital room.” I tried to make it sound like nothing. “Honestly, you don’t need to worry. And you were right at the office–you can’t take my side. I get it. I’ll figure it out myself.”
He took a deep breath. “Get in.”
“What?”
He didn’t explain. Just opened the door and got in himself.
I stared, speechiess. Then I climbed in as well.
“Is there something else you need to tell me?” I sat next to him, still confused.
“I’m taking you back to my house,” he said.
3/3
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