Chapter 9
Christine went still for a second.”
But almost immediately, she pulled herself together.}
He’d combed the whole city for a blood match–just so she wouldn’t die.
But deep down, she knew: if it ever came down to her or Ava, she’d be the one he’d let go.”
There was no point hoping for anything more from him.
Christine spent her last few days in the city quietly recovering at the hospital.
Whenever the nurses made their rounds, they couldn’t help but gossip about the VIP ward upstairs.”
“I heard the CEO of Tate Enterprises rented out the entire floor,” one nurse whispered. “He even flew in those famous retired professors from New York, just to take care of his girlfriend!“}
“Seriously, I saw Mr. Tate myself–bringing her tea, buying her all sorts of jewelry, sitting by her bed all night. He treats her like royalty!“}
Christine listened quietly, her hand drifting to her chest.”
She didn’t feel anything there–just a slow, dull heartbeat.”
It seemed like her heart was finally starting to heal.}
On the day she was discharged, Tina wanted to pick her up, but something came up at home and she couldn’t make it.”
Christine assured her it was fine, left the hospital by herself, and headed back to the office.
It was her last day at work. She went through the resignation process, signed the paperwork, and packed up her things.
She was carrying a box of her stuff to the elevator when she ran right into Ava.”
Ava, holding a cup of coffee, deliberately bumped into Christine, splashing coffee down her dress.
“Can’t you watch where you’re going?” Ava snapped. “Look what you did to my dress! This isn’t the first time. Are you doing it on purpose?“}
Ava acted out the whole scene, then called for security, demanding they force Christine to kneel and apologize at the company’s main
entrance.
Christine refused to give in, so Ava took it further, dumping the rest of her coffee in Christine’s face.
“What are you staring at? Feeling defiant? Let me tell you something–Brad only cares about me. No matter what I do, he’s on my side. You’re just a secretary. Punishing you is nothing.”
With that, Ava tossed her hair and walked away, looking completely smug.
The security guards grabbed Christine, dragged her downstairs, and forced her to kneel at the company’s front doors.
She struggled, but couldn’t break free. She tried to reason with them.
“I’ve already quit. I’m not Brad’s secretary anymore. What gives you the right to do this?“}
The guards didn’t flinch, their voices cold. “Mr. Tate gave orders. Whatever Ms. Smith says is as good as his own command. We do what she asks, no questions. If you have a problem, take it up with Mr. Tate.”
That shut Christine up for good. She knew nothing she said would matter, so she stopped fighting.
People passed by, whispering, some even sneaking photos.
In the freezing winter air, Christine knelt outside for a full seven hours, her knees scraped and bleeding.
Her face was numb with cold, her whole body shaking uncontrollably. She stayed upright by sheer willpower.
As the workday was ending, Christine was barely conscious when she suddenly heard someone calling her name.
She forced her head up and saw Tina running toward her.
“Christine! You just got out of the hospital–why are you out here? Who did this to you?”
Christine’s throat was dry and raw. She managed to croak, “It was Ava…”
