Chapter 4 Dying Fish?
969 Words
"Elijah ignored Lola's taunts as the door clicked shut behind them. His deep voice cut through the silence.
"To avoid any potential misunderstandings about our conversation today, I propose we exchange phones."
Without waiting for her response, he powered off his phone and placed it on the table in front of her.
His towering frame cast a shadow over Lola, the subtle menace in his posture making the spacious meeting room feel stifling.
Determined not to let him rattle her, Lola steadied herself and pulled out her phone. "I don't usually turn my phone off," she said coolly. "So, if you don't mind, I'd like to send a message to my best friend first. You can watch if it'll make you feel better."
Elijah gestured for her to proceed. "By all means."
After typing a quick message, Lola powered down her phone and tossed it onto the table in front of him.
She didn't waste any time. "I spent three years with Ashton, and during that time, I paid off his debts. I'd like my money back."
"Done," Elijah replied without hesitation. "I'll compensate you ten times over."
"That's not nece—" Before she could finish, he interrupted.
"I'll also add ten million dollars if you delete all your photos with Ashton."
Lola scoffed. 'Ah, so that's what this is about.'
"There's no bed photo. Why are you so worried about those getting out?"
Elijah's brow furrowed slightly. "If it's not enough, name your price. I'll ensure you're satisfied." His tone was calm but firm, and he seemed to misunderstand her defiance.
He wasn't bargaining for her silence because he feared the content of the photos.
He was protecting the Vaughn family's reputation. If those photos were ever leaked, it wouldn't just tarnish Ashton—it would be a stain on their entire legacy.
*****
Lola's temper flared. Sure, money was important.
She worked hard to build a better life, and the offer of a hefty payout in exchange for a simple gesture was tempting.
But her pride wouldn't allow it. She wasn't about to let him buy her off.
She had endured enough humiliation. Why shouldn't she demand an apology?
Her childhood flashed through her mind—her mother's passing when she was eight, the stepmother who made her life hell, and a father who eventually grew indifferent to her struggles. Any sign of weakness only made things worse.
'I can't back down,' she thought.
And she had no idea how deep Ashton's connections ran. If she accepted the money, they might twist the situation and accuse her of extortion.
Deleting the photos would strip her of any proof, leaving her vulnerable.
"I don't want your money," she said, her voice steady. "All I want is Ashton's apology."
Elijah's patience wore thin. "Thirty million dollars," he said, his tone now sharp. "Or name your price. Whatever you want, I'll make it happen." He leaned closer, his voice dropping. "Think carefully. Most people don't earn that kind of money in a lifetime. And if those photos leak, it'll be you, not Ashton, who suffers the most. The Vaughn family has enemies, Ms. Bennett. Do you really want to make yourself a target?"
*****
Elijah's frustration simmered just beneath the surface. If Ashton were here, he would have punched his brother on the spot for dragging him into this mess. A breakup was one thing, but cheating? It was juvenile, irresponsible, and left Elijah cleaning up the fallout.
Lola suddenly softened, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Alright then. Find me a man who can marry me within a month. Someone with credentials that match Ashton's—or better. If you can do that, I'll drop my demand for an apology."
Elijah arched a brow. She didn't want thirty million? So, what she wanted was... more.
He understood her terms immediately. Ashton might not have a direct hand in the Genesis Knight Corporation, but his annual dividends and eventual inheritance ensured he would never want for anything.
Finding someone who could match or surpass Ashton's wealth and status wasn't a simple request.
Elijah studied Lola intently. As the CEO of Genesis Knight Corporation, he had met countless ambitious people.
His family's business, rooted in maritime shipping, had evolved over the last century. Under his leadership, the company had expanded into luxury goods, from fashion and leather to jewelry and, most recently, fragrances.
The perfume line, propelled by Lola's creation Ethereal Glow, had elevated its standing in the industry. Keeping her around could benefit the company.
But was she a liability or an asset?
*****
While Elijah deliberated, chaos unfolded outside.
"Someone reported you for illegal detainment. Open the door immediately," a police officer ordered.
"There's no detainment," Alex, Elijah's assistant, replied smoothly, blocking the door. "Mr. Vaughn is in a meeting with a friend. They'll be out shortly."
The officer's suspicion deepened as they noted the staff deliberately separating them from the room. "Step aside."
*****
Inside, Lola's patience had run thin. "If you can't agree to my terms, then have Ashton issue a public apology."
She bent down to retrieve her phone, but Elijah grabbed her wrist.
"What's this? Can't handle a little pushback, so you're resorting to force?" she challenged, her tone mocking."
Elijah's expression didn't falter. "Everyone here works for me. If I wanted to take your phone, I would."
He powered on her phone with a deliberate slowness."
"What are you doing?" Lola's voice rose, loud enough to carry through the door.
The officers outside stiffened. "Open the door now, or we'll consider this obstruction of justice," one commanded.
Elijah's jaw tightened as the commotion reached his ears. His gaze snapped to Lola. "You called the police?"
Lola's lips curved into a sly smile. "It's my right to call for help in dangerous situations."
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