Chapter 45
Chapter 45
Joanna's POV
I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at my phone screen as if it might bite me.
The headline from the local news glared back: [King Enterprises Accused of Withholding Bronx Community Relocation Funds, Residents Left Struggling.]
My stomach twisted into knots as I scrolled through the article.
My hand trembled slightly. What have I done? Sebastian's company was now in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, and I... I was responsible.
I closed my eyes, remembering how I'd snuck into his study, how my fingers had shaken as I'd photographed that contract. Zayne had promised it wouldn't cause major trouble. He'd said we'd just use it as leverage to get the residents fair treatment.
But this? This was a full-blown scandal.
My chest tightened. If Sebastian discovered I was behind this, what would happen to me?
I'd spent the whole morning jumping at every sound, expecting Sebastian to burst through the door. But the mansion remained eerily quiet, with only occasional footsteps from the staff downstairs.
God, what have I gotten myself into?
---
The sound of the front door opening sent my heart into overdrive. Heavy footsteps echoed through the foyer—Sebastian was home.
I took a deep breath, smoothed my sweater, and forced myself to walk out of my room. Standing at the top of the stairs, I watched as Sebastian shrugged off his coat, his movements stiff with tension.
His eyes snapped up, catching mine, and I froze. The coldness in his gaze made my blood run cold.
"Joanna," he said, voice low and dangerous. "Come down here."
My legs felt like lead as I descended the stairs. Each step brought me closer to him, closer to whatever storm was brewing. I kept my eyes down, afraid that looking at him would somehow reveal everything.
Sebastian threw his coat onto the sofa carelessly. When I reached the bottom of the stairs, I could feel him watching me, assessing me like a predator sizing up prey.
"Been busy lately?" he asked, his voice deceptively casual.
I swallowed hard. "Just the usual work stuff."
"Is that so?" He circled around me, his presence overwhelming. "Nothing... unusual? Nothing you shouldn't have been doing?"
My heart hammered against my ribs. Did he know?
"I don't know what you mean," I managed, hating how small my voice sounded.
Sebastian's mouth curved into a cold smile. "No? You haven't been doing anything behind my back? Nothing you'd like to confess?"
I raised my eyes to meet his, trying to keep my expression neutral despite the panic surging through me. "Sebastian, what are you talking about?"
He moved closer. "I think you know exactly what I'm talking about, Joanna. And you'd better come clean now, before I lose what little patience I have left."
The tension in the room was suffocating. My nails dug into my palms as I struggled with what to do. Deny everything? Keep playing dumb?
"Tell me," he said, his voice deceptively soft yet laden with menace, "did you take those photos of the contracts?"
My heart nearly stopped. 'How does he know? How could he possibly know I took photos?'
I remained silent, staring at the floor, my fingers twisting the hem of my blouse.
Sebastian continued to watch me, that unsettling smile still in place. "Alright then, let me ask you something else. Who gave those contract photos to the major media outlets?"
Again, I said nothing, my heart hammering so hard I thought it might burst from my chest. 'He knows about the media too? What about Zayne? I can't betray him...'
Sebastian slowly circled around me, like a predator stalking its prey. His voice dropped lower. "Let me guess... Zayne, right?"
I jerked my head up, shock coursing through me. "Are you having me followed? Or investigated?" The words tumbled out before I could stop them.
Sebastian paused in front of me, his gaze icy.
"Zayne and I just wanted to help those residents," I blurted. "Isn't the embezzlement your fault?"
He suddenly laughed, the sound sharp with mockery. "Very good. So you're admitting that you and Zayne conspired to smear the company?"
My chest tightened painfully. "What do you mean 'smear'? Are you saying the contracts were fake?"
Sebastian's smile widened, his eyes glinting with something I couldn't read.
"Actually," I said, my voice stronger than I expected, "I do have something to ask you."
Sebastian raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting this turn. "Oh?"
I took a deep breath. "Why did King Enterprises withhold compensation funds from the Bronx redevelopment project? Those people were promised $500,000, but they only received around $100,000. Where did the rest go, Sebastian?"
His expression darkened dangerously. For a moment, he just stared at me, and in that silence, I felt like I was standing on the edge of a cliff.
"Those people can't afford their medications. They can't find new housing. While you're here in your mansion with your—"
"Enough." The word cut through the air like a blade. "You have no idea what you're talking about, Joanna. You're being naive. You've been used."
I shook my head, tears threatening to spill. "Used? The contract clearly stated $500,000. I saw it with my own eyes! Those residents got less than a quarter of that. How is that being used? It's simple math, Sebastian!"
"Simple math?" he repeated with a cold laugh. "Nothing about business is simple, Joanna. You think you understand what you saw? You don't have the first clue."
"Then explain it to me," I challenged, my voice breaking. "Tell me why those elderly people can't afford their heart medications while your company pockets the difference!"
Sebastian's eyes turned to ice. "You think I owe you an explanation? After you went behind my back? After you betrayed my trust?"
His words stung, but I stood my ground. "If you're not doing anything wrong, why won't you just explain?"
In one swift movement, Sebastian closed the distance between us. His right hand shot up, fingers gripping my chin firmly enough to hold me in place without causing pain.
His face was inches from mine, his eyes burning with cold fury.
"You ungrateful little brat," he hissed. "I gave you a place to live. I gave you a job. I pay your mother's medical bills. And this is how you repay me? By sneaking around, conspiring against me?"
Tears welled in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. "I'm not conspiring against you. I just want the truth."
"The truth?" His grip tightened slightly. "You wouldn't recognize the truth if it slapped you in the face. You've been manipulated, Joanna. You're a pawn in someone else's game."
'Whose game? Zayne's?'
"Sebastian, please," I whispered, "let go of me. You're hurting me."
For a second, something flickered in his expression—was it remorse? But it vanished as quickly as it appeared, replaced by that cold mask again.
"You've betrayed me, Joanna. After everything I've done for you."
"I haven't betrayed you," I insisted, my voice trembling. "I just wanted to help those people. I thought... I thought you weren't the kind of person who would take advantage of the vulnerable."
His jaw clenched. "You don't know the first thing about me or my business."
"Then tell me!" I cried. "Stop treating me like I'm too stupid to understand!"
Sebastian's fingers remained on my chin, his eyes locked with mine in a silent battle of wills. The tension between us crackled like electricity, and for a moment, I thought he might actually explain—might actually let me in.
The shrill ring of a phone cut through the tension. Sebastian's expression shifted as he reached into his pocket with his free hand, checking the caller ID. His grip on my chin loosened, though he didn't fully let go.
"Yes?" he answered, his voice still tight with anger.
I could hear the voice on the other end—loud, elderly, commanding. "Sebastian, GET BACK NOW!"
Sebastian's jaw tightened. "I'll be right there," he replied curtly before hanging up.
He released my chin entirely, taking a step back. For a long moment, he just looked at me, his expression unreadable.
Without another word, he turned and strode toward the door, snatching his coat off the sofa. Moments later, I heard the garage door open, an engine start, and tires squeal as he pulled away.
I stood frozen in the middle of the living room, my hand absently rubbing my chin where his fingers had been.