At that mont Edward wanted to say sothing, however before Edward could finish his sentence, another slap landed across his face.
"SMACK!"
The sound rang through the room, louder than before.
This ti Edward stumbled backward, his head spinning. He felt the sting crawl up his cheek, burning hotter than the first. His breath hitched. His legs trembled.
He couldn’t comprehend it.
Why?
Why was he the one being punished?
Victoria stood frozen, mouth slightly parted. She couldn’t believe what she was witnessing.
Her eyes darted from Edward’s dazed expression to Mr Maximilian who just struck him.
Mr Maximilian face was thunderous.
A deep, chilling silence settled in the room.
Then, in a voice as sharp as a blade, Maximilian spoke.
"Shut. Your. Mouth."
At that mont Edward’s entire body flinched.
Mr Maximilian eyes held nothing but pure disappointnt, pure disgust.
"You don’t even know what you’ve done."
Edward’s mouth opened, but nothing ca out. His mind was blank.
The owner didn’t give him a chance to recover.
"Mrs Valentina is not the culprit here, you are." His voice was ice. "And do you know what happens to fools like you?"
Edward gulped. His knees buckled slightly.
At that mont Victoria stepped back instinctively.
The air in the room had shifted.
Edward was losing control.
And for the first ti since he walked into this station, he felt fear.
At that mont the boss gaze landed on the items and imdiately he walked towards Victoria.
The mont the owner’s hand snatched the items from Victoria’s grip, her fingers twitched, but she didn’t dare resist.
Her throat tightened. Her lips parted slightly, but no words ca out.
She wanted to protest. She wanted to demand an explanation.
But then... her gaze flickered toward Edward.
His face was burning red from the two ruthless slaps he had just received. His eyes, once filled with arrogance, were now wide with disbelief.
If that could happen to Edward, soone who was a director...
Then what about her? A chill ran down her spine.
The power in the room had shifted completely.
For the first ti, Victoria felt powerless.
The owner’s eyes bore into her, filled with an authority that sent a silent warning. Do not test .
Her fingers curled into a fist, nails digging into her palms. She hated this.
She hated this feeling of helplessness.
But at that mont, she knew.
If she dared to open her mouth now, her face would be ruined beyond repair.
So, for the first ti in her life...
Victoria swallowed her pride.
She stood there, stiff, silent.
And she let the owner take what was never hers to begin with.
The mont the owner bowed again before Valentina, presenting the luxurious items back to her, the entire room fell into a stunned silence.
His voice was filled with sincerity, a tone that carried weight far beyond re words.
"Mrs Valentina, please... I deeply regret everything that has happened today. It was never my intention for you to be treated in such a disgraceful manner. If this is not enough, na anything you want, and I will personally ensure it is done."
Valentina remained still, her fingers tightening around the fabric of her scarf. Her mind raced, trying to process everything happening in front of her.
The sa man who held an empire in his hands... was now bowing before her.
Edward, standing frozen, couldn’t comprehend what he was witnessing.
His hands trembled, his breath uneven.
"This can’t be real," he thought.
His eyes darted between Valentina and the owner, his heartbeat pounding against his chest.
"Why is he treating her like this?"
His head spun as doubt crept into his mind.
"Who the hell is Valentina?"
In his desperation, Edward squeezed his eyes shut, trying to force himself awake.
But the sting from the ruthless slap earlier burned against his skin, reminding him...
This was no dream.
This was real, And at that mont...
For the first ti in his life, Edward had no words.
Valentina standing still, her expression composed, but inside, a storm raged.
She t the boss’s gaze, her voice calm yet firm.
"Why are you doing this?"
she asked.
"From the mont I was brought here, I’ve been insulted, accused, and treated like a criminal. I tried explaining myself, but your director wouldn’t even listen. Now, suddenly, everything has changed. Why?"
Her question cut through the silence like a blade.
hearing what Valentina just said Maximilian face darkened, his shock deepening.
For a mont, his fingers curled into fists, the weight of Valentina’s words sinking in.
Then, without warning, he turned toward Edward.
With a swift, brutal motion, he slamd his boot against Edward’s shin.
A pained grunt escaped Edward’s lips as he stumbled, collapsing onto one knee.
Before he could even process what was happening, another forceful push sent him sprawling onto the floor.
A cold sweat broke over his skin as he gasped for breath, but the boss wasn’t done.
His voice thundered through the room.
"You want to destroy my life?!"
Each word was laced with fury.
"After everything I’ve ignored, after turning a blind eye to your useless mistakes, this is how you repay ?!"
Edward barely lifted his head, his lip trembling.
"Sir... I—"
"Shut up!" The boss’s glare burned into him.
"Before you even get the chance to ruin , Edward, I swear—I will destroy you first."
Edward sat frozen, his body tense with fear. He didn’t dare move, didn’t dare breathe too loudly. Mr Maximilian outburst had left him shaken, his mind spiraling into chaos.
Deep inside, Maximilian seethed with silent rage.
"This fool..." his thoughts burned. "Of all people to pick a fight with, he chose her. Does he even realize what he’s done? Does he even understand who she is?"
Edward didn’t utter a word.
For the first ti since his arrogant accusations began, he was utterly silent.
His face paled as waves of realization crashed into him.
The tension in the room thickened. It wasn’t just about a misunderstanding anymore.
Sothing much deeper, much more dangerous, was at play.
Then, Valentina’s voice cut through the heavy silence.
"Why?"
She didn’t flinch, didn’t hesitate.
Her calm yet piercing gaze locked onto the boss.
"Why are you doing this?" she asked again.
"I know this isn’t just about righting a wrong. This isn’t just about them mistreating . There’s sothing more. I can feel it."
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