2025-12-30 23:53:27
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“Over consequences,” Ethan said softly. Max swallowed. “You’re done here,” Ethan continued. “Leave. Now.” “And if I don’t?” Max challenged weakly. Ethan’s eyes darkened. “Then you’ll learn how little protection arrogance provides.” Max hesitated. Then he looked at Lana—broken, sobbing on the marble floor. Lana sobbed openly now. Her hands were pressed flat to the marble floor as if it might anchor her, shoulders shaking violently, breath coming in broken, panicked gasps. She didn’t understand—didn’t really comprehend what had just happened. She hadn’t known who Ethan was. Hadn’t known whose authority she’d trampled. All she knew was that her world had collapsed in seconds. “I—I didn’t know,” she cried hoarsely, looking up at Vivienne like a condemned woman. “I swear—I didn’t know who he was—I thought—” “No one asked,” Vivienne replied flatly. Lana’s gaze darted to Ethan then, terror naked in her eyes. “Please,” she whispered. “I’ll apologize—I’ll do anything—please
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Max stared at her, shock finally cracking through his arrogance. “You—You hit me!” “Yes,” Vivienne replied. “And if you speak again, security will escort you out face-first.” She turned sharply to the guards. “If either of you ever take an unlawful order again, you’ll be reassigned to basement logistics—permanently. Am I understood?” “Yes, ma’am,” they said in unison, voices shaking. Vivienne turned last to Lana. Lana was pale. Trembling. Vivienne didn’t give Lana time to gather herself. Lana’s knees buckled as she stepped forward, hands clasping together desperately. “P–Please—Director Hale—I was only trying to calm the situation,” she rushed out, voice cracking. “She was shouting, causing chaos—I was doing my job. I didn’t mean any disrespect—” “Shut the fuck up.” The words were quiet. Absolute. Lana froze mid-breath. Vivienne stepped closer, her heels precise, merciless. “You do not speak unless spoken to,” she said coldly. “Not after what you’ve done. Not after yo
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Then footsteps echoed behind him. The liaison arrived just behind Ethan—and the moment she saw the scene, her face drained of color. Her gaze snapped from the guards’ hands on Jenna… to Lana… to Max. Then to Ethan. And something in her expression hardened instantly. “How dare you speak to him like that,” she said sharply. The words cracked through the lobby like a gunshot. The guards blinked, confused. “Ma’am?” The liaison stepped forward, voice rising, authority cutting clean and unforgiving. “Do you have any idea who you’re addressing?”The effect was immediate.The guards went rigid.Not alert—afraid.Hands loosened on Jenna’s arms without being told, their faces draining as recognition slammed into them a second too late.Lana’s expression changed completely.The color fled her face, fury collapsing into naked fear.“D–Director Hale…” she whispered.The liaison stepped fully into the light.Vivienne Hale.Chief Executive Liaison to the CEO.Director of Internal Authority
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The lobby was chaos. Not loud chaos—worse. The kind charged with humiliation, fear, and spectacle. Ethan stepped out just in time to see it. Jenna. Her arms twisted behind her back. Guards gripping her like she was dangerous. Her heels scraping uselessly against the marble as they dragged her forward. Her voice raw. Furious. Breaking. “This is assault! You can’t do this!” Lana stood nearby, arms crossed, face alight with vicious satisfaction. Max leaned against the railing, smiling. Something inside Ethan snapped cleanly in two. “ENOUGH.” The word cracked across the lobby like a gunshot. Everything froze. The guards stiffened. Jenna went still, chest heaving. Lana spun around. “Who do you think—” “Leave her,” Ethan said, already striding forward, his voice deadly calm. “Immediately.” The guards turned fully now.Even Jenna turned.Her head snapped toward the voice, breath hitching mid-gasp.For a split second she didn’t understand what she was seeing—only that the sou
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“Let go of me!” Jenna shouted, her voice echoing through the lobby. “This is assault! You can’t do this!” Heads snapped up. Gasps rippled through the crowd. Lana smiled. “See?” she said smugly. “All this drama. Completely her own fault.” Jenna struggled, adrenaline flooding her veins. “You’re proving everything I said!” she screamed, trying to wrench free. “This is abuse of power! You’re bullies—you’re all bullies!” Max tilted his head, amused. “You know,” he said lightly, “this could all stop if you just begged.” Lana’s smile sharpened. “That’s right. Say you’re sorry. Beg properly.” Jenna stared at them—then laughed. It was short, raw, almost hysterical. “No way in hell,” she said. “I’d rather choke on my own blood.” The guard’s expression hardened. “Shut up and move,” he snapped, dragging her forward. “Stop!” Jenna cried, her voice cracking now. “Someone stop this!” Max leaned casually against the railing, utterly unbothered. “Told you,” he said lazily. “You should’ve ap
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“She’s been hostile from the start. She’s insulting management. She’s disrupting business.” Jenna’s voice shook for the first time—but only with restrained fury. “Standing my ground isn’t disruption. It’s not my fault you’re not used to hearing no.” Lana’s lips curled. “Unbelievable.” Max leaned in toward Jenna again, his tone low and cruel. “You really thought you were untouchable,” he murmured. “Look at you now. Still talking. Still powerless.” Jenna met his gaze, eyes blazing. “And look at you,” she shot back. “Hiding behind your girlfriend’s badge because without it, you’re nothing but a sore loser who can’t accept defeat.” That hit. Max’s jaw tightened. “Get her out,” he snapped to the guards. “Now.” Lana folded her arms, chin high. “I don’t want to hear another word from her. Drag her out if you have to.” The guards hesitated—just for a second—but Lana noticed. “What are you waiting for?” she demanded. “Do your jobs!” One guard reached out hesitantly toward Jenna’s arm
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