Chapter 91 Victoria shuffled slightly away from the edge, a macabre grin spreading across her face. âHand over the rest of the money, or Iâll jump. But before I do, Iâll blast this whole story online. Iâll let everyone know how lan fired me out of the blue just to keep me away from his little sweetheart. Iâll say I leaped off this building because I lost my job and couldnât cope. Clara, you tell me, with the Hayes Corporation celebrating tonight, wouldnât a scandal like this tarnish lanâs reputation? If you donât want that to happen, then be a good girl and get the money ready for me. If not, youâll have to live with the consequences.â
As she spoke, she showed Clara the draft of her tellâall post, filled with gutâwrenching details. Clara knew that once the media got hold of this, it would get blown way out of proportion. With the Hayes Corporationâs anniversary celebration underway, the Hayesâ extended family was already eyeing lan like hungry wolves. A mishap on such a critical day could deal a massive blow to him.
Clara wouldnât allow this to happen, but her heart ached immensely. She never imagined her mother to be so heartless, pushing her to the brink of life and death.
Clara knew Victoria wouldnât actually jump and was just playing for sympathy. Nevertheless, lan had been the man Clara loved for seven years. She didnât want her own issues to jeopardize the CEO position he had worked so hard to secure.
Clara tried to calm herself, but her trembling voice betrayed her panic. âPlease, come down. Iâll give you whatever amount you want. Just get down from there.â
Victoria, unswayed by Claraâs pleading and seemingly thrilled by it, taunted her. âWho would have thought, youâre quite the romantic and deeply in love with him. This makes things easy. Give me the money, and Iâll come down. I wonât ruin tonightâs gala.
If your donât do as I say, my story will be the centerpiece of the Hayes Corporationâs anniversary.â Clara glared at her, fury in her eyes, on the verge of breaking down. âPlease, Iâm begging you, come down first, and Iâll get your money.â
Victoria sneered, âI donât believe you. If you donât have the cash, give me that necklace around your neck. It should fetch a pretty penny.â
Hearing this, Clara immediately clutched at the necklace. It was a gift from lan during his last trip abroad and was reportedly quite valuable. She couldnât possibly give it up.
Feeling an overwhelming headache, Claraâs vision began to blur. An instinctive thought told her that if Victoria jumped, it would all be over. It was the same feeling of utter despair she had experienced seven years ago on the rooftop of a sanatorium.
But there was another voice in her head calling out, âGive me your hand. Iâll take you away from here.â
Clara, gathering what little strength she had left, looked at Victoria. âDidnât I give you a cord last time? Iâll transfer the money right now. Just come down first.â
Victoria knew Clara was stalling and moved even closer to the edge, threatening her, âI donât want the money anymore. Iâve got my eyes on that necklace. Take it off and give it to me, or Iâll send this post right now and expose how lan mistreats his lowerâ
level employees.â As Victoria spoke, her finger hovered over the âsendâ button.
âDonât send it. The necklace is yours. Just delete the post,â Clara said, hastily removing the necklace and handing it over.
Victoriaâs eyes lit up as she snatched the glittering chain from Claraâs hands, holding it up to the light. âNice stone, should get a good price for this. And to ensure you donât call the cops, throw your phone down, and then Iâll come down.â