Dangerous Bargain
1256 Words
"No."
Caleb let out a cold, humourless laugh.
"You don't get to make demands."
"I do."
Ruth's voice was calm. She drew in a slow breath before speaking again.
"If those photographs become public..."
"They won't only ruin me. They'll ruin you too."
For the first time since the call began, Caleb fell silent.
Ruth didn't stop.
"The headlines won't say Caleb Mason was married to a murderer."
"They'll ask why the CEO of Goldon Group lived with her for years and whether you knew and what else you've been hiding."
His grip tightened around his phone.
She had finally found the c***k in his armour.
"Investors don't like scandals," she continued.
"They like certainty and right now… you need certainty more than I do."
Several long seconds passed.
When Caleb finally spoke, his voice had turned dangerously low.
"What are your terms?"
A small smile appeared on Ruth's lips.
Not because she had won.
Because, for the first time in years, she wasn't powerless.
"I'll send the new agreement to you."
"You can read every word. If you're willing to sign it... I'll come back."
"If not..."
She swallowed.
"Then we both live with the consequences."
Caleb closed his eyes briefly.
He hated that the woman who used to tremble before him was now standing across from him as an equal.
The line went dead.
Ruth lowered her phone and released a breath she hadn't realised she'd been holding. Her hands were shaking.
Caleb stared at the disconnected call.
For a long moment, he didn't move.
Then.. Crash!
The crystal tumbler in his hand exploded against the wall.
Shards scattered across the floor.
His chest rose and fell violently.
She was testing his patience.
A slow smile spread across his face.
Since she wanted to negotiate, then they will, but she'll learn exactly why people don't challenge him.
He picked up his phone and dialed a number.
***
An hour later...
Ruth stepped out of the taxi feeling lighter than she had in days.
She hadn't solved her problems. Not even close.
But she'd finally stopped running from them.
She climbed the stairs to Rinna's apartment and reached into her handbag for the spare key but couldn't find it.
She emptied the contents of her handbag onto the small table outside the apartment.
Everything was intact except the key.
She searched again. Then it hit her.
Her bag had fallen in Scott Rowland's office. The key must have slipped out then.
Ruth closed her eyes, she couldn’t go back there.
She went downstairs to the caretaker's office door.
No answer. She called his number. It rang unanswered.
The corridor was growing quieter as residents disappeared into their apartments for the night.
She looked at the time. Almost eight-thirty.
She couldn't spend the night outside.
With no other choice, she hailed another taxi.
"TC Corporation."
*****
The receptionist looked up in surprise when Ruth hurried into the lobby.
"Miss Bennett?"
"I... I'm sorry."
"I think I left my apartment key in the CEO'S office.'
The receptionist frowned sympathetically.
"The executive floor has already closed. It may have been handed to Security."
"Could you please check?"
The woman made a quick phone call before shaking her head.
"I'm sorry. Nothing has been turned in."
Ruth's shoulders sank.
"Would it be possible for me to check myself?"
"I'm afraid not, the CEO is still working.“
Ruth exhaled.
“I wish I can help but I'm not allowed to send anyone upstairs nor disturb him."
Ruth nodded slowly.
"I understand."
She moved to one of the lobby sofas.
Maybe if she waited until Scott Rowland came down she could speak to him...
Outside, rain began to fall against the glass.
Inside, the vast lobby grew quieter with every passing minute.
The rain intensified.
Ruth checked the time again.
Nine fifteen. Does he always work out this late?
The receptionist had long finished her shift, leaving the night security officer at the front desk.
The spacious lobby, bustling only hours ago, now felt almost deserted.
She clasped her hands together to stop herself from fidgeting.
Maybe she should just leave.
She could find a cheap motel but the thought made her heart sink.
She had already checked the prices. They were far beyond what she could afford, especially when she hadn't received a single paycheck yet.
Her gaze drifted to the elevators.
One trip upstairs that's all she needed.
If she could just check Scott's office herself...
Perhaps the key was still there but the security officer had made it clear.
"No one goes to the executive floor without authorization."
She sighed softly.
This wasn't how she'd imagined ending her day.
Her stomach growled. She hadn't eaten since lunchtime.
Trying to distract herself, she took out her phone.
Still no response from Rinna.
Ruth leaned back against the sofa and closed her eyes for a brief moment.
She only meant to rest.
Just for a minute.
****
The executive floor.
Scott signed the last document and slid it across the desk.
"Anything else?" he asked without looking up.
His assistant shook his head.
"No, sir."
"The board presentation has been moved to Thursday."
Scott nodded.
"You can go home."
Daniella hesitated.
"Sir..."
Scott finally looked up.
"What is it?"
"I noticed Miss Bennett downstairs earlier."
Scott's brows drew together.
"Miss Bennett?"
"Yes."
“How long has she been there?“
"An hour sir..."
He glanced at his watch.
"Leave."
She bowed before quietly leaving the office.
Scott's expression remained unreadable.
He found himself standing.
He picked up his jacket and headed for the elevator.
****
The lobby was almost dark.
Only a few lights remained on.
Scott stepped out of the elevator, his footsteps echoing across the marble floor.
The security officer immediately stood.
"Good evening, Mr. Rowland."
Scott gave a brief nod.
Then his eyes found a figure with her head bent on the sofa arms.
Several strands of hair had fallen across her face.
She looked... exhausted.
Scott stopped a few feet away.
For a moment, he simply watched her.
The security officer lowered his voice.
She said she lost a key upstairs."
Scott's gaze lingered on her face.
"A key?"
"Yes, sir."
"She asked if she could check your office herself."
Scott handed the security guard his access key. “Go search my office for it.“
He remembered her handbag spilling open earlier.
When the security man left, he simply sat on the sofa not waking her up. He never wanted to admit it but then there was a strong force pulling him to Ruth that he didn't understand.
Ruth suddenly stirred and her eyes were opened. She blinked twice before realising someone was sitting close to her.
Her heart skipped.
"Mr. Rowland?"
Embarrassment flooded her face.
“Sir.. I'm sorry. I just came to get my key.“
At that moment the security officer came down. “I found the key sir.“
He handed the key back to Ruth and she thanked him.
The security officer went back to his station, leaving them alone.
Ruth rubbed her palms lightly avoiding Scott's eyes. She suddenly felt shy around him.
“I'll be going now. Thank you.“
Scott rose his brow
“And how do you plan on getting home in the rain?“
The rain had become a storm.
She looked back at him.
"I..."
Before she could answer, a loud c***k of thunder shook the building.
At that exact moment, the lights flickered, then went out.
The lobby was plunged into darkness.
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