The following day, the guard unlocked her door as part of her daily routine, which included routine interrogations.
However, today was different. At the end of the corridor stood an unexpected figure.
Fiona was there, impeccable in high heels and a Chanel suit, her coat elegantly draped over her shoulders, exuding glamour.
âPlease, I need to speak with her alone,â Fiona requested of the person beside Dulce.
Taken aback, Dulce followed her into the meeting room. Once seated, she blurted out, âWhy are you here?â Fionaâs usual polite smile was absent. Today, she looked as if she was ready to lay all her cards on the tableâcornered and poised for confrontation.
Silently, Fiona reached into her designer handbag and slid a stack of photos across the table to Dulce.
The images captured Johnny dining with the chief designer from the rival company.
Dulce looked from the photos to Fiona. âWhat is this supposed to mean?â
âHavenât you always wondered who leaked the blueprints?â
Dulce sensed trouble brewing.
As expected, Fionaâs next words cut sharply. âIt was you, Dulce.â
âThatâs not true!â Dulce countered sharply.
Fionaâs face was a mask of impassivity. âWhether Iâm lying is irrelevant. If I release these photos, itâs over for both you and Johnny.â It took Dulce a moment to process the implications.
Johnny was one of Michaelâs people. It was inconceivable that he would act against his interests. Meetings with competitors were commonplace in their field. Johnny was simply unfortunate to have been ensnared by Fiona.
With Fiona confronting her so boldly, the stakes were evidently high.
Regaining her composure, Dulce faced Fiona, torn between disillusionment and anger. âWhy are you targeting me? I havenât wronged you.â
âYou broke your promise first!â Fiona retorted, unable to meet Dulceâs gaze, knowing it would bring memories of Lacey.
After a pause, her tone chilled further. âWhat did you promise me? You said your interest in Michael was fleeting. Yet, you spent three days and nights at his place. Just because Lacey is gone, do you think I cease to matter?â
This wasnât the first time Dulce had encountered Fionaâs animosity. She thought she was immune to it, but her initial reaction was still one of guilt.
âLacey is gone. Michael deserves a chance at happiness, and so do I!â
âEnough!â Fiona snapped, her hand tightening around a glass of water. She lifted it, then set it down with a deliberate effort to control her anger. âSince you helped me once, Iâd rather not escalate this. I know youâre considering a study program abroad. Leave the country, and leave Michael. If you do, I wonât pursue this further.â
Dulce scoffed and shook her head. âAbsurd. Why should I abandon what makes me happy just because you say so?â
Fiona had prepared for Dulceâs resistance. She pulled out her phone, dialed quickly, and crisply ordered, âLet them in.â
The door opened to reveal Dulceâs professor and the chief engineer, both looking visibly distressed and anxiousâa sight Dulce had never seen before.
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