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Qiana’s tears ceased, her hands limp at her sides, her gaze filled with confusion.
She didn’t understand the sudden shift in Ethan and Mason’s attitude.
Before, their concern had been immediate whenever she showed distress.
Now, they were indifferent.
Her tears seemed to hold no power over them.
She couldn’t confess her taunts and deliberate attempts to sabotage me.
Her lips pressed together, she pleaded with Mason, desperate.
“Mason, I didn’t do anything. Believe me! Lanie helped me so much; I’m grateful. Why would I hurt her?”
“If you’re still in love with her… I… I can move out…”
She squeezed out a few more tears.
Maybe
Maybe Lanie’s upset that I moved in. She stopped liking me before, maybe it’s happening again…”
She was trying to manipulate them.
Mason had always been the more lenient of the two; she was banking on his usual kindness, hoping he would overlook her actions.
If they didn’t press the issue, she could find a way to win them back.
Was it only because I’d been with them for two decades longer?
If I had her background, I wouldn’t resort to such tactics.
But this time, Mason was unforgiving.
He sneered, a mocking smile playing on his lips.
“You’re playing with fire.”
“Those who know me know I’m not as easygoing as you think.”
He slammed Qiana’s head onto the table, his hands tightening around her neck.
Ethan’s voice was a chilling whisper in Qiana’s ears.
“Qiana, you’re fired. I’ve contacted your family; they’ll be here soon. You should prepare yourself.”
With a few taps on his phone, he’d sealed her fate.
“No! Don’t let them come! I’ll talk! I’ll tell you everything!”
The suffocation wasn’t as terrifying as Ethan’s threat.
She was terrified, bordering on panic.
Mason released his grip.
“Speak.”
“Cough… cough…” Qiana coughed, gasping for air.“I… I can show you my phone!” She unlocked it and handed it over.
“I didn’t do anything. You’re mistaken.”
She was relieved she’d deleted the taunting messages.
Ethan didn’t take the phone; a single glance told him she wasn’t being truthful.
Mason snatched the phone, sending it to be forensically examined to recover deleted data.
Qiana felt the world collapsing.
She clung to Mason, begging,
“No… don’t do it…”
But Ethan and Mason gave her no more chances.
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They’d been more than generous, but Qiana didn’t cherish.
Ethan ordered an investigation into everything Qiana had done that involved me over the past few months.
