Sealed with a kiss (WomanxWoman)

25

"You... know?" I ask hesitantly, my voice trembling as my chest tightens with nerves. "H-how?"

Richard leans back slightly, his blue eyes soft yet unreadable. There's a weight in his gaze that makes my heart pound. "It doesn't matter right now," he says evenly, his voice calm but laced with an authority that brooks no argument.

Before I can respond, Jeffrey's sharp voice cuts through the air, venomous and accusing. "You knew about your daughter's affair with this little..." He stops himself, visibly struggling to rein in his temper, likely mindful of cursing in front of the CEO. His face contorts with anger, his fists clenching at his sides. "And you let Charlotte cheat like that?!"

Richard's expression changes in an instant. The kindness drains from his eyes, replaced by a frosty resolve. His posture shifts, radiating the quiet power of a man used to being in control. "You mean," he says in a voice as cold as steel, "I let Charlotte have a meaningful relationship while you slept with at least half the female employees in this company?"

Jeffrey's jaw drops, his face going ashen. He opens his mouth as if to protest, but no sound comes out. His usual bluster is replaced by stunned silence.

Richard doesn't wait for a response. He leans forward slightly, his piercing gaze locked onto Jeffrey. "You're lucky HR isn't on your back with all the harassment complaints against you. I refused to believe them at first. But now..." His voice hardens further, his words slicing through the room like a blade. "Now I see the truth for myself. You should be ashamed."

I glance between the two men, feeling like an intruder in this battle of wills. My mind struggles to keep up with what's happening. Richard's commanding presence is almost suffocating, while Jeffrey looks like a cornered animal.

"Richard, don't listen to their lies!" Jeffrey bursts out, desperation creeping into his tone. His pale complexion is now flushed, and sweat beads at his temples. "You know I only love your daughter. She's the only one for me, and I want what's best for her."

Richard raises an eyebrow, his expression one of icy disbelief. "The security cameras don't lie," he says with quiet finality. "And I just saw, right here and now, who truly has my daughter's best interests at heart. It's definitely not you." His voice drops, every word deliberate. "Yet you continue to stand here, shamelessly lying to my face."

Jeffrey's complexion turns ghostly white, but he quickly recovers, grasping at straws. "Richard, you have to believe me! I was framed!" His voice cracks, and his hands flail in exaggerated gestures. "You know me! I'm like the son you never had!"

Richard's lips curl into a faint, humorless smile. "That's the only reason I'm giving you the chance to save face and turn in your resignation."

The room falls silent, heavy with tension. Jeffrey's face contorts with rage, his eyes blazing. "You stupid fool!" he snaps, his mask of civility slipping entirely. "I'll sue you and this entire company!"

Richard doesn't so much as flinch. He leans back in his chair, utterly unbothered by Jeffrey's outburst. "Before you do," he says smoothly, "you should know I have proof of your embezzlement. Every transaction, every date. And every one of the victims you paid off to cover your assaults is ready to testify."

Jeffrey's fists clench so tightly his knuckles turn white. His face is now a deep crimson, veins bulging at his temples. "You..." His voice falters, anger and fear warring within him.

Richard's tone sharpens. "So, you have two choices: leave quietly, or I'll have security escort you out and involve the authorities. What will it be?"

For a moment, Jeffrey looks like he might explode, his whole body trembling with suppressed rage. But then he takes a step back, his chest heaving as if the fight has been knocked out of him. "Fine," he spits out, his voice low and venomous. "I'll go. But this isn't over." His gaze flicks to me, filled with contempt. "Charlotte will never settle for a lowlife like you, missy. You're nothing but a passing distraction. She'll get bored and come running back to me for the real thing, so don't get too comfortable." He smiles devilishly.

His words hit me like a physical blow, each syllable tearing at my insecurities. My throat tightens, and I lower my gaze, willing the tears not to spill. The door slams shut behind him, but his cruel words linger, echoing in my mind.

"Jenny," Richard says softly, his voice pulling me from my spiraling thoughts. "Don't believe a single word that man said."

I lift my eyes to meet his, startled by the kindness in his gaze. Those piercing blue eyes, so much like Charlotte's, hold no judgment-only reassurance. "What if he's right?" I whisper, my voice barely audible. "She left me for him. She didn't even think I was worthy of an explanation." My voice cracks on the last word, and I look away, ashamed of my vulnerability.

Richard gestures for me to sit, his movements calm and deliberate. He picks up the phone on his desk. "Bring water for Miss Morton, please," he says before hanging up. Settling back into his chair, he pours himself a drink from a glass decanter. "Now," he begins, his tone measured and thoughtful, "let me tell you something."

His words draw me in despite myself. I sit, watching as he takes a slow sip, gathering his thoughts. "Charlotte and I never had a close relationship," he admits, his voice tinged with regret. "When her mother died, I was lost. Charlotte was only a year and a half old. I was young, alone, and barely knew how to be a father. So I did what I knew best-I worked. I threw myself into building this company, thinking I could provide her with everything she needed if I just made enough money."

He pauses, his gaze distant, as if replaying memories he'd rather forget. "I hired au pairs to raise her. Gave her the best education money could buy. But when she grew older..." He shakes his head, a rueful smile tugging at his lips. "We didn't know how to talk to each other. Whenever we tried, it ended in arguments. She ran away a lot, but I never knew how to stop her. And then, when she followed in my footsteps into advertising, I thought maybe she was trying to prove something to me. That's why I never promoted her. I didn't want her to waste her life chasing my approval."

I listen, captivated, as he continues. His voice grows softer, tinged with an emotion I can't quite place. "When she started seeing Jeffrey, I was relieved. I thought he made her happy. I ignored the rumors about him because I wanted to believe in him-for her sake. But I was wrong." He leans forward, his gaze locking onto mine. "And then she met you."

My breath catches in my throat. "Me?" I stammer, confused.

A few days ago, she came to to dinner, and for the first time, we set together and talked and not about work." Richard nods. "You changed her, Jenny. She told me everything. About your relationship, what you mean to her, and how Jeffrey blackmailed her into leaving you."

The words hit me like a thunderclip. "He what?" I gasp, my heart racing. "What do you mean?"

Richard holds up a hand, his expression calm but resolute. "It doesn't matter now. What matters is that it's over."

A knock at the door interrupts him. He glances toward it, a faint smile playing at his lips. "That's probably your water," he says with a wink. "Come in!"

The door swings open, and my breath catches in my throat. Standing there, framed by the doorway, is Charlotte.