As Brooke tried to exit the office, the door to swung open, revealing Kim, whose usual timid deanor seed amplified in the tense atmosphere looming behind him was Joel, his huge body effectively blocking the doorway. Brooke, despite the blood draining from her face, attempted a nonchalant stance, crossing her arms and fixing Lyse with a challenging glare. Kim, however, couldn’t et Brooke’s gaze. He fidgeted nervously, his eyes darting around the room, avoiding any direct contact.
"What is the aning of this?" Brooke demanded shrilly as she glared at Lyse then she flipped her hair and turned to leave.
However, Joel refused to leave the doorway, forcing Brooke to remain in the office.
"Why do you want to leave so quickly?" Lyse asked, her voice amused. "The main event is yet to begin."
"Yes, Kim. I want you to repeat what you told earlier. In front of Ms. Brooke." She added.
Kim’s face paled. He shifted uncomfortably, his eyes flicking towards Brooke, who was now staring at him with a look that could curdle milk. The glare was a clear warning, a silent threat that hung heavy in the air. Kim swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing nervously.
"I... I don’t know what you’re talking about, Ms. Lyse," he stamred, his voice trembling slightly.
Lyse’s lips curled into a thin, humorless smile. "Don’t play coy, Kim," she said, her voice turning cold. "I know you know what I’m talking about. Joel here brought you to , and you told sothing... rather interesting."
Kim remained silent, his gaze fixed on the floor. He was caught between a rock and a hard place, torn between his fear of Brooke and his fear of Lyse.
Lyse’s patience was wearing thin. She had given Brooke too many chances, and she wasn’t going to let her get away with it any longer.
"Kim," she said, her voice sharp and commanding, "I’m not going to ask you again. Tell what you told . Now."
Kim flinched, his body tensing. He glanced at Brooke again, his eyes pleading. But Brooke’s glare was unwavering, a silent command to keep his mouth shut.
Lyse sighed. She knew she had to take a firr approach. "Kim," she said, her voice even colder now, "I’m going to give you one last chance. Tell the truth, and I promise you, you’ll be fine. But if you lie to , or if you continue to protect Ms. Brooke, I will not hesitate to call the police. Do I make myself clear?"
Kim’s eyes widened, his face paling further. The ntion of the police seed to break through his fear-induced paralysis. He looked at Lyse, his eyes filled with desperation.
"Yes, Ms. Lyse," he whispered, his voice trembling. "You are clear."
He took a deep breath, his hands shaking slightly. He avoided Brooke’s gaze, focusing on a point sowhere over Lyse’s shoulder.
"So months ago," he began, his voice barely audible, "I... I saw Ms. Brooke... she was... she asked to show her your designs, Ms. Lyse. She gave so money and asked to help her bring you down."
Brooke’s head snapped towards Kim, her eyes blazing with fury. "You traitor!" she scread, her voice filled with rage. "You are lying! You’re trying to set up!"
Kim flinched again, his body recoiling as if he had been struck. "No! It’s true!" he stamred, his voice rising in panic. "I personally took pictures of your sketches, even your fabric choices."
Brooke’s face was now ashen. She stared at Kim, her eyes filled with disbelief and betrayal. "You... Stupid fool." she whispered, her voice cracking.
Kim glanced up briefly, his eyes filled with sha. "I... I had to, Ms. Brooke," he mumbled. "She... she said she would call the police..."
Brooke’s rage turned to panic. She knew she was caught. She knew that Lyse had her.
Lyse chuckled, a low, humorless sound. "So, Brooke," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "It seems my little bird has sung. Care to explain what you were doing with my designs?"
"You have nothing to hold against ." Brooke insisted defiantly.
She had made care to not be seen with Kim and she only did cash transfers to him, where would Lyse find any evidence supporting her claims?
Lyse scoffed. "I have enough information, Brooke," Lyse said, her voice cold and firm. "I have witnesses, I have evidence. I could call the police right now, and you would be facing serious charges."
Brooke’s eyes widened with fear. She knew Lyse was serious. She had seen the look in her eyes, the unwavering determination.
"Please, Lyse," she begged, her voice cracking with desperation. "Don’t do this to . We are family, family does not air their dirty linen in public. I’ll... I’ll pay you back. Just... just don’t call the police."
Lyse remained silent, her gaze unwavering. She had heard it all before, the pleas, the promises, the empty apologies. She wasn’t going to fall for it again.
"I’m not going to let you get away with it this ti, Brooke," she said finally, her voice hard. "You have been stealing from for too long. You’ve been undermining my work, sabotaging my career. And I’m not going to tolerate it any longer."
"I... I hate you, Lyse," she whispered, her voice filled with bitterness. "I wish you were never in our lives!"
Lyse simply shrugged. "That is your prerogative, Brooke," she said. "But your hatred doesn’t change the facts. You stole from , and today you going to pay the price."
Brooke glared at Lyse, her eyes filled with venom. "I’m not going to stay here and listen to your insults," she spat. "I’m leaving."
She turned and stord towards the door, her anger montarily eclipsing her fear, this ti Joel let her go through. However, as she reached the handle, the door swung open, and two police officers stepped into the office.
Brooke froze, her face paling further. She stared at the officers, her eyes filled with terror.
"Brooke Chadwick," one of the officers said, his voice firm, "you are under arrest for theft and intellectual property infringent."
Brooke could not believe that she had actually been caught, and now she would have to face the consequences. As the officers handcuffed her and escorted her out of the office, she tried to struggle out of their hold.
Lyse watched them go, her expression calm, her conscience clear. She had done what she had to do. She had protected herself, her company, and her future. Hopefully, she had finally put an end to Brooke’s sches.
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