"Mobbed by Matrimony" (wlw)

Chapter 16: A Grotesque Scene

The clanking sound from the kitchen jolted Alex awake. Her head pounded, heavy with the remnants of a hangover. As she opened her eyes, she realized she had fallen asleep on the couch in the living room.

As she struggled to get up from the couch, Lisa greeted her with a smile.

"Good morning, boss."

"Hello, Lisa."

Alex replied, wincing as she massaged her throbbing head.

Lisa approached her and set down a glass of cold orange juice along with two aspirin tablets.

"This should help with the hangover," she said.

Alex scanned the room but couldn't find Sophia.

"Miss Sophia is at work, boss," Lisa said.

Alex swiftly checked her phone and saw that it was already noon time. Realizing she had overslept on the couch, she quickly swallowed the aspirin, stood up, and hurried to her room to shower before heading to her office.

The office felt uncomfortably warm as Alex sat down, sweat trickling down her face. Her mind replayed last night's events: she had been drunk and had confided in Sophia, thinking she was asleep, about why she didn't celebrate her birthday. Then, in a surprising gesture, Sophia had embraced her, and the warmth of her arms had helped Alex calm down and eventually fall asleep. As she remembered the embrace, a flush of warmth spread through her.

"Why is it so hot in here all of a sudden?!"

Alex exclaimed, her face reddening.

The knock on her door jolted Alex back to reality. It was her driver, Jared.

"I came to give you this, boss."

Jared said, handing her a folder.

As Alex opened it, her expression shifted dramatically. Her eyes narrowed, her jaw tightened, and her eyebrows furrowed in anger.

The folder contained CCTV photos showing Brad harassing several former employees inside the building. The women in the images were no longer there. A memory resurfaced of Christina and Michelle discussing how Brad had a history of harassing new employees. The two recalled seeing a similar discomfort on Sophia's face just like those previous women, which eventually drove them to quit working there.

Alex slammed her fist onto the table, fury radiating from her. She knew that Brad had been harassing Sophia too. Her eyes burned with anger as she clenched her fists tightly.

"I'm going to kill him."

Alex grabbed the folder and quickly made her way to the 8th floor.

Sophia was summoned once more to Brad's office. Already feeling uneasy, she walked toward his office. As she entered, she was met with Brad sitting in his chair, a devilish grin spreading across his face. Horrified by his unsettling gaze, Sophia approached cautiously.

"Come closer, Sophia."

Brad said, still reclining in his chair.

Sophia took a hesitant step forward but kept a safe distance from his desk.

Just as Brad was about to speak, the office door burst open with a loud slam. Sophia's heart skipped a beat in shock. Brad's eyes widened in surprise as Alex stormed in, her eyes blazing and brows deeply furrowed. Her face was flushed red, jaws clenched tightly, and lips pressed into a tight line. Veins stood out on her forehead and neck, and her entire demeanor radiated fierce, unrestrained anger.

Sophia stood frozen, stunned by the sheer intensity of Alex's anger. Alex stormed up to Brad's desk and slammed the folder down with a forceful thud. As Sophia began to slowly back out of the office, thinking they needed privacy, Alex's voice cut through sharply.

"Stay in here, Sophia!"

Alex shouted, her voice echoing not only through the office but clearly audible to the rest of the staff outside.

Brad was stunned as he saw the photos in the folder, realizing he was in serious trouble.

"Boss-"

Before Brad could say another word, Alex grabbed him by the back of the head and slammed it forcefully onto his desk. Sophia watched in shock, horrified by Alex's sudden and violent action.

"How dare you lay your filthy hands on them, Mr. Welton!"

Alex roared at the man whose face was pressed against the desk.

"Boss, I'm so sorry!"

Brad pleaded, tears streaming as he begged for mercy.

"Will your apology erase the trauma you've inflicted on them, Mr. Welton?!!"

Alex's fury was palpable, her anger escalating beyond words. She turned her intense gaze toward Sophia, who stood frozen and speechless, paralyzed by fear.

"Tell me, Sophia! Did this man harass you too?!"

Alex demanded, her voice booming, eyes blazing, and hands clenched and trembling as she awaited an answer.

Sophia remained speechless and stunned, dreading to reveal the truth, knowing that Alex's anger might lead to Brad's immediate demise.

"Answer me, Sophia!!"

Alex's voice thundered, growing even more urgent and forceful.

"Alex, please stop. Calm down, I beg you."

Sophia implored, her voice quivering and tears threatening to spill.

From Sophia's indirect response and terrified demeanor, Alex concluded that Brad had indeed harassed her. Her face was a storm of fury, consumed by a seething anger that defied description.

"How dare you, filthy scum!"

Alex roared, drawing a knife from behind her and driving it forcefully into Brad's hand, pinning it to the table.

Brad's scream echoed throughout the 8th floor as the knife was driven into his hand. He sobbed uncontrollably, begging desperately for mercy, begging for his life.

Alex gripped Brad's shirt tightly, her face contorted into a fierce, predatory snarl, as if she were a lion poised to devour him alive.

"You're a disgusting piece of crap!"

Alex shouted as she yanked Brad's shirt, forcing him to his feet, then slammed him violently against the wall. His hand was brutally mangled, with two of his fingers grotesquely left behind on the table.

Sophia's eyes widened, terrified of the gruesome sight she witnessed before her eyes. She couldn't hold back her tears, overwhelmed by the sheer terror of the scene.

"Alex, let me handle this."

Gabriel said, watching calmly from the back.

Alex continued to grip Brad's shirt tightly, nearly choking him.

"Alex, please."

Sophia pleaded, her voice trembling as tears streamed uncontrollably down her face.

Alex released her grip, causing Brad to collapse to the floor. She turned and walked slowly toward the door.

"Penthouse. Now!"

Alex instructed, her tone brooking no argument.