Anne caught the aning behind Gabriel’s words imdiately. She had once looked up to him, respected him as a capable leader and a steady figure in the Beaumont family. But now, that polished exterior no longer fooled her. Beneath the calm tone and refined manners was a calculating, cold man who only cared about control and image.
"Family?" A dry laugh escaped her lips. "That’s rich, coming from you. You never once treated Augustine like family. You ignored him, dismissed him—and now suddenly, we are all ’family’ when it suits your agenda."
Gabriel’s face hardened.
Anne t his gaze, unflinching. "Do you even know what Denis did to ? He sent to negotiate a deal with Mr. Lee. He knew exactly what kind of man Mr. Lee was. And still, he sent alone."
Gabriel’s posture stiffened.
"I was nearly raped that night," she said, each word like a blade. "Augustine got there just in ti and rescued . Denis had all set to ruin completely."
The silence between them was heavy.
"I have a recording," she added. "Mr. Lee admitted Denis told him to ’have fun’ with . Just to close a deal, he used like a bargaining chip—like I was nothing more than an object—simply because I was his secretary."
The blood rushed to his brain, his face turning red in anger and humiliation.
"I could press charges and have him arrested for what he did. But I haven’t. Not because I’m afraid—but because I wanted to walk away from it all." Anne rose from her seat, her hands trembling slightly – anger, pain, and restraint coiled together. "So rest assured, I’m not interested in leaking any company secrets."
She walked away, leaving Gabriel stewing in the truth.
He curled his hands into fists, the fury rising inside him. "She dares to threaten ?" he muttered. "And that idiot Denis... how could he be so reckless? I need to speak with him."
Denis had just stepped out of the bedroom when he spotted Anne heading toward the bathroom. The hallway was quiet, empty. No one was around. Taking it as an opportunity, he followed her, determined to talk.
Inside, Anne stood at the sink, splashing cold water onto her face. But no amount of cold could cool the surge of emotions rushing through her. Pain she thought she had buried long ago, mories she wanted to forget, clawed their way back. The betrayal, the heartbreak – it all ca flooding in.
"I shouldn’t have co here," she muttered under her breath, gripping the edge of the sink. "I just want to leave."
She straightened up, trying to pull herself together. Her next thought was to find Augustine and get out of this place. But as she stepped out of the bathroom, she froze.
Denis was standing there, blocking the hallway.
Her discomfort spiked instantly. "Move," she said sharply. "You’re in my way."
"I just need a mont," Denis said, almost desperately. "Please, hear out."
He reached for her hand, but she recoiled, stepping back before he could touch her. Her expression hardened. "What the hell do you think you’re doing?" she snapped. "Everyone is here. What if soone sees us? Aren’t you worried your girlfriend might get the wrong idea?"
"I don’t care what she thinks," Denis interrupted. "I’m only with her because of the baby. Once it’s born, I’m ending things with her. You have to believe ."
Anne let out a bitter laugh. "Ridiculous. I’m not interested in your ss. Now move."
But he stayed put.
"I didn’t want things to end between us," he insisted. "We were good together. Three years—we had sothing real. I miss it. I miss you. Just give one chance to make it right. I swear, I’ll prove it to you."
Anne stared at him, stunned by his audacity—by the nerve of a man who shattered her trust now trying to plead for another chance like nothing had happened.
"Are you even listening to yourself?" she snapped, disbelief lacing her voice. "Your parents are already planning your engagent to Tania. They introduced her to your grandfather like she were already part of the family. And now you’re standing here saying you want ?"
"It’s all because of the baby," Denis insisted. "I’m not serious about Tania. I never was. You have to believe . I don’t love her."
Anne rolled her eyes. "Unbelievable. When you were with , you ran off to her. And now that you’re with her, you claim you never cared about her. You know what? You don’t love anyone, Denis. You only care about yourself."
She pushed against his chest, wanting to end the conversation right there. But before she could walk away, Denis grabbed her wrist and yanked her closer, his grip tight.
"You think I care what you believe?" he hissed, his eyes darkening. "You were mine once. You’ll always be mine."
He grabbed the back of her head and tried to force a kiss. Anne twisted in his grasp, shoving against him with everything she had.
"Let go." With one hard jerk, she broke free and slapped him hard across the face. Her eyes were blazing, her breath ragged, chest rising and falling with fury.
"Don’t ever touch again," she spat and stord down the hall, not bothering to look back.
Denis stood frozen, pressing his hand against his stinging cheek, breath heavy. He took a step forward, ready to go after her. But he paused when he noticed his mother standing a few feet away. He changed his mind. This was not the right ti. Lowering his head, he stord out of the house.
Jeanne stood stiffly. Her face contorted in outrage. "That girl," she muttered coldly. "Shaless. Trying to throw herself at my son—disgusting."
She marched after Anne, her fury barely contained. She caught up to her just before Anne could turn the corner.
"Wait," she snapped, her voice cold and commanding.
Anne stopped, every muscle in her body tense.
"What were you doing with my son?" Jeanne’s glare bore into her like a blade. "Aren’t you ashad of yourself? You are married to Augustine, yet you are still chasing after Denis?"
The insult ignited a fire inside Anne. She opened her mouth to defend herself, but Jeanne didn’t give her a chance.
"I’ve known your type from the start," Jeanne sneered. "You beca my son’s secretary just to get close to him. And when that didn’t work, you turned to Augustine instead. Pathetic."
Her words were laced with pure contempt. "You’re a gold-digging parasite. And let make one thing clear—won like you don’t belong in the Beaumont family. Don’t think marrying Augustine secures your position in this position. You fooled him, but the rest of us see you for what you really are. And mark my words, you’ll be out of this family before long."
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