Scandal
1619 Words
The moment the boardroom door closed behind Mr Blackwood, the room erupted into whispers
“Did you see that?”
“He looked furious”
“Of course he did. After everything she’s done. She still dares to show up.”
Erika kept her eyes fixed on the design files in front of her, pretending not to hear them. But every word pierced through her like a needle.
“The news said that, she cheated on her fiancé”
“I hard she demanded a million dollar for another man”
“No wonder Mr Blackwood couldn’t stand looking at her”
Heat crawled up Erika’s neck.
She clenched her trembling fingers beneath the table.
None of them knew the truth.
None of the knew how badly her life had fallen apart in a single night.
“Meeting dismissed”
The department manager’s voice cut through the noise.
Everyone began gathering their files, but their curious gazes remained on Erika.
As soon as she stepped outside the boardroom, she felt dozens of eyes falling her.
Assistant Ashford walked in, Ms Sinclair go to the president's office immediately.
Her breath caught.
The president’s office.
Mr Blackwood’s office.
The whispers around her intensified instantly.
“She’s done for”
“He’s probably going to fire her”
“I’d be surprised, if she survives the day”
Erika swallowed hard and stood. “Every step toward the executive floor, felt heavier than the last”
“Meanwhile in the president’s office, Damien Blackwood stood beside the floor to ceiling window overlooking the city”
His jaw was tight
His thought was in complete chaos.
He’d spent years building Blackwood cooperation. “Years eliminating risks before they could threaten him”
Yet some how the woman from last night had appeared in his company
Not as a stranger, visitor but as one of his employees.
Coincidence?
He didn’t believe in coincidences
A sharp knock Interrupted his thoughts
“Enter”
Erika stepped inside.
The moment their eyes met, the air in the room grew tense.
Damien studied her carefully
She looked nothing like the shameless woman the media had painted.
Her face was pale.
Her eyes carried exhaustion.
And despite her effort to hide it, he could see fear.
“Sit”
His cold voice echoed through the office.
Erika obeyed immediately.
Silent lingered for seconds.
Finally, Damien leaned forward
“How long have you worked fir Blackwood cooperation” Damien asked, his sharp gaze fixed on Erika.
“Two weeks sir,” Erika replied
Damien narrowed his eyes. Two weeks.
Before he could ask another question, a knock sounded on the office door.
“come in”
Assistant Ashford entered carrying a dark blue file.
The moment Erika saw it, her eyes widened
“That file...”
Damien looked up
“You recognise it?”
Erika Nodded slowly.
“The department manager gave it to m. I was instructed to deliver it to assistant Ashford that evening “
The office felt silent.
Assistant Ashford looked confused
“To me?”
“Yes,” Erika said. “I was told, you were waiting for it.”
Damien’s expression darkened.
Fragments of last night flashed through his mind. The business party. The headache. The gaps in his memory. Waking up the next morning with almost no recollection of how he’d ended up in the suite.
“You went there only to deliver a file?” He asked
Erika tightened her grip on her bag
“Yes”
“You may go back to work” He said
Erika walked out and the rumours had grown louder through the company.
The moment Erika left the president’s office, Damien’s expression turned cold.
“ Assistant Ashford.”
“Yes sir.”
“Bring me the manager who gave Erika that file.”
Assistant Ashford immediately left.
Twenty minutes later, the department manager stood nervously before Damien’s
Sweat beaded on his forehead.
Damien tapped the forgotten file against the desk.
“Explain”
The manager swallowed hard.
“Sir”
“Why did you give this file to Erika.? Damien asked
The manager looked confused
“I received instructions to do so”
“From whom?”
The manager hesitated
“A phone call,Sir.”
Damien’s eyes narrowed.
“A phone call?”
“Yes. Some one called claiming they were from Blackwood palace hotel. They said assistant Ashford urgently needed the file because you would be meeting foreign business partners”
Assistant Ashford frowned.
“I never made such a request.”
What! The manager exclaimed
“The call said that the file was extremely important and needed to be delivered immediately. “ The manager added
Silence filled the office
Damien’s eyes darkened.
Non of it was accidental. “Someone had deliberately arranged everything ” Damien mattered
“ You’re dismissed. “
The manager hurried out of the office.
The moment the door closed. Damien stood from his chair and walked toward the window.
His instincts were screaming.
Someone had spent considerable effort creating this situation.
But why?
To target Blackwood cooperation?
Or to destroy Erika?
“Assistant Ashford “
“Yes sir”
“I want every surveillance recording from last night”
Ashford immediately straightened up.
“The business party. The hotel hallway. The elevator. The parking lot. Every camera available. “
“Understood. “
“And investigate the reporters who published Erika’s photos. Find out who tipped them off.”
Ashford nodded
“Yes sir”
Back in the design department, employees were beginning to pack their belongings.
The work day was almost over.
Erika’s phone suddenly rang.
She glanced at the unknown number
The moment she answered, he face drained colour.
A distorted voice spoke.
“You have less than one hour”
Her fingers tightened around the phone.
“I told you, I was trying to get the money” She whispered
“One hour”
“Please—”
“Bring the money. Or you’ll never see your mother again.
The call disconnected
Erika froze.
Fear flooded her chest.
Without wasting another second, she grabbed her back and rushed out of the office.
An hour later, a transaction notification appeared on Damien’s phone.
His gaze sharpened.
Withdraw, 1000,000
From the black card he’d given Erika
Assistant Ashford noticed his expression.
“Sir”
Something felt wrong
Damien stood immediately.
Get the car ready. He said
The night had already fallen
Following directions from anonymous phone calls, Erika made her way through an isolated industrial district.
Her heart pounded violently.
The bag containing the money felt heavier with every step
Finally, she reached an abandoned warehouse.
The rusty doors cracked open.
Inside, a single dim light flickered
Erika froze instantly
“Mom” she whispered
Tears immediately filled her eyes.
Her mother was tied to a chair.
She looked exhausted and terrified.
Erika rushed forward before stopping when a voice from the darkness.
“Stay where you are”
A shadow stepped forward. Face hidden
“I brought the money,” Erika said desperately.
She raised the bag.
“please let my mother go”
The man laughed. A cold cruel sound
“You’re late.”
“What?”
“I gave you seventy- two hours”
“You asked for one million.” Erika said
“Change of plans.”
The shadow moved closer.
“I want five million more.”
Erika stared at him in disbelief.
“You promised–“
“I make the rules.”
Frustration and fear over whelmed her.
She threw the bag onto the ground
“Take.”
“The man glanced at the money.”
“Not enough. “
“Erika’s hand trembled. “ _Then She remembered the card.
She quickly pulled it from her pocket and threw it toward him.
“There’s more money on that card.”
The man picked it up. “ His eyes widened slightly. “
“A black card?”
“Its real.” Erika said
“He checked it carefully, a slow smile spread a cross his face.”
“interesting. “ He murmured
Relief flashes through Erika’s eyes. Until the man spoke.
“Unfortunately...”His voice turned cold.
“No amount of money changes my assignment.”
Erika froze. “What?”
“I was paid to make sure neither of you walks out of here.”
Her blood run cold the moment the man pulled the trigger.
Erika closed her eyes accepting her destiny. Maybe she was never meant to leave.
The g*n shot echoed through the wear house.
“strong arms wrapped around Erika as someone pushed her a side.”
Everything happened too quickly.
The wear house erupted into chaos.
Several men rushed in from different entrances.
“You brought people.” The kidnapper cursed loudly
Before anyone could catch him, he disappeared from a rear exist.
“Stop him.”
Assistant Ashford shouted.
The guards immediately gave chase
Erika’s entire body shook.
She looked up and froze.
“Mr. Blackwood...”
Damien was kneeling beside her.
His face was slightly pale but calm.
“You, how...?”
Damien gave a faint smile.
“You’re an employee of Blackwood cooperation.”
Erika stared at him.
“And I don’t abandon my people.” His said, his face unreadable.
Security officers quickly untied her mother. “ Her legs gave out the moment she stood.”
After hours of fear and stress, her body could nolonger hold on
“Mom!”
Erika rushed forward and caught her
Suddenly Erika’s vision blurred. The tension she’d endure for days hit her as well.
The warehouse spun around her.
The last thing she saw before darkness claimed her was Damien moving toward them.
—Then everything went black.
- Writer
