Kissing Mr. Bradley

Chapter 30

I got the news from Maudie that Ethan was back in his office and wanted to see me.

After meeting with Donna, I had to leave the premises. I ignored all of Ethan's calls and hid away from Bradley & Sons until I was able to breathe again.

Maudie greeted me from the front desk with little to no eye contact. Not even a friendly expression crossed her face. Her eyes stayed glued to the screen in front of her as she furiously typed away.

"Is everything okay?" I asked her.

She moved away from her computer down to the papers on her desk and continued working. Her actions were close to robotic and she acted as if I wasn't there.

"You can head up to Mr. Bradley's office," she said coldly. "He will be there waiting for you."

I analyzed Maudie's behavior all the way up to Ethan's office but I couldn't put together why she was acting so strange and so disdainful toward me.

The doors to Ethan's office welcomed me in but the welcome from the Bradley's was far from warm.

I was met with Ethan, Ezra and their mother.

Donna stood between them, holding her head high and exerting her own power and strength.

"Have a seat, Ms. Hastings," Ethan said, his change in demeanor was something I wasn't used to. It was inhospitable and almost like we were strangers again.

Donna spoke first. "Who are you really?" she asked. "And what do you want with our business?"

She stood over me, waiting for a response.

I looked toward Ethan for help but he was on the side of his mother. He looked down, rubbing the side of his face as if he had made a mistake in trusting me.

Ezra glared at me, trying to read and intimidate me as if that one look would make me spill everything they thought I knew.

"What is going on?" I asked. "Ethan?"

"My mother told us everything," he said disappointedly. "I can't believe I put my trust in you, Saffron."

"That's not all you put in her," Ezra spoke as his mother hit him, nearly knocking the glass out of his hand. "It was a joke, mother."

"This isn't a joking matter," Donna said. "We have a possible criminal on our hands."

I tried to reach Ethan but he wouldn't meet my eyes. I could see the hurt on his face as he quickly turned away from me.

"I'm so sorry, Ethan," Donna said. "I should've told you about Hastings Manor a long time ago."

Ethan crossed his arms. "That's why you were acting so strange the night of the gala," he said to me. "The abandoned house I showed you, it was the Hastings Manor."

"Yes," I replied. "I wanted to tell you that night but it wasn't the right time."

"Now," Donna continued. "She's back to avenge her family's legacy. All this time she wanted to get close to you just to destroy our family's business."

"Is that true?" Ethan asked with pain in his voice.

"At first it was the plan," I said. "But I didn't want to destroy you or your business. I just wanted my family's legacy back."

"I should've known," Ethan said, shaking his head. "You are the face of the threats, right?"

"No," I said honestly, moving closer to him. "I have nothing to do with that."

"Did you put Katherine in the hospital?" he asked, his voice becoming louder.

"No!" I cried out. "How could you believe the lies and deceit of your mother?"

He stood over me, his eyes looking down, piercing my soul. My heart ached at the disturbing look of betrayal.

"What about the Humphrey's?" he asked quietly. "Were you behind it all along? Did you plan their murder?"

"Ethan," I started, shaking my head because the words weren't enough for him to believe. "I promise, I had nothing to do with any of this. Your mother is lying!"

"What's the truth, then?" he asked.

"My family has nothing," I whispered. "The Hastings Manor was all that we had. I just wanted it back."

"Don't believe anything she says," Donna said. "She's manipulating you to feel sympathy for her. It's all a part of the sick and twisted game she's been playing."

I was becoming smaller and turning into a shell of myself. It was clear that Ethan believed his mother over me and could barely look me in the eyes. It was like he no longer recognized me.

Donna was enjoying my distress and the reign she had over her two sons. She knew she could get away with it all.

I called out to Ethan, just for him to hear me out but there was no use.

He turned me away.

"Get her out of here," he said to Ezra. "I want her off the premises."

Ezra took me by the arm, leading me out into the hall before I forcefully pulled out of his grasp.

"Take a few days off," Ezra suggested once we were away from his mother and brother. "Just until this dies over."

"Do you believe me?" I asked him.

"I don't know."

"There's something about Donna," I said. "I know she's your mother but she isn't a good person."

"I know," he admitted. "But I have to do what's right for my family."

"Which is what?"

"Sticking by their side," he stated. "Whether they're right or wrong."

"Of course," I said. "Family over everything."

"Blood is thicker than water," he added. "I'll choose my family every time."

Our conversation was cut short when the elevators brought out a group of police officers headed to Ethan's office.

"Whoa!" Ezra exclaimed as he put his body in front of the office door. "Can I ask what's going on?"

The officers were let into the office on their own accord. They pointed out Ethan who didn't look at all surprised.

"Ethan Bradley," one of the officers announced. "You're under arrest for the attempted murder of Katherine Windsor. You have the right to remain silent..."

My heart dropped the same time Ezra's glass fell out of his hands and onto the floor. "Men," Ethan started calmly. "Is this really necessary?"

The officer cuffed him. "It's just protocol, Mr. Bradley," he replied. "We don't mean any disrespect to you or your company but this is what we have to do right now."

"This is outrageous!" Donna shouted at the officers as she made a scene. "My son has nothing to do with Katherine's incident!"

"It's alright," Ethan said. "I'll go to the precinct for questioning and I'll be out in no time."

Ethan was taken away with Donna following close behind.

"Attempted murder?" I asked as Ezra paced the floor.

Ezra put his hand on my shoulder. "You know my brother," he said. "He would never hurt anyone. The only reasonable explanation is that somebody is trying to set him up."

"He's not the only one getting set up, Ezra," I said. "Now do you believe me?"

"Sure," he replied, but I wasn't convinced.

"What do we do now?" I asked him. "We can't just let this happen."

"We stay out of it," he replied. "Ethan knows what he's doing."