Chapter 36 YOU’LL REGRET IT! MARK MY WORDS!

Chapter 36 YOU’LL REGRET IT! MARK MY WORDS!
VERONICA POV

He jerked his chin toward the hallway, a smug sneer pulling at his lips.

“Well, well. You just crawled out of Daddy’s private office,” Jason drawled, loud enough that the two assistants by reception glanced our way. “Must feel nice, huh? One little closed-door meeting and suddenly you’re getting full expansion funds. How convenient. You used that tight little body of yours to fast-track everything while I get scraps and excuses.”

My patience snapped clean in half. “I earned that expansion, Jason. It was approved on merit. I didn’t ask for favors. Focus on your own store instead of ambushing me in hallways. Leave. Now.”

His eyes darkened, narrowing into ugly slits. “So that’s your plan, huh? Where do you stay these days, anyway? Still playing house somewhere I can’t find?”

I curled my fists at my sides, nails digging into my palms. “You should go back to Moni and get over me already. You shouldn’t even care where I stay. I’m sure Moni would be thrilled if she finds out you’re still sniffing around me.”

I turned to walk away, but he stepped right in front of me, blocking my path with his body. “I’m talking to you,” he snapped, voice low and venomous.

My stomach twisted. “Move Jason.”

“So you’re seducing my adoptive father now?” he hissed, leaning in closer. “Have you already offered your body to him? Are you trying to make him fall for you the same way you made me, then run off like the user you are?”

“Why do you keep insisting he’s your adoptive father? You’re delusional. And for the record, you cheated on me, bro. Used me for a damn bet.”

“I’m not delusional, Veronica.” His face twisted with ugly triumph. “Xavier Cross is my adoptive father. And you’re fucking him. Doesn’t that make you a whore? You dated the son, now you’re climbing the father. Typical.”

“Jason!” I spat, voice rising despite myself. “I refuse to believe a single word that comes out of your mouth. You’re a pathetic liar. Why should I believe he’s your adoptive father? This is just another one of you and Moni’s cheap schemes to push me out of this mall. But it’s not going to work. I will remain here whether you like it or not.”

His lips curled back in a snarl. “You’re so fucking greedy. You really think you can seduce a man as rich as Xavier? I’ll expose you, Veronica. I’ll tell him everything—that you were my ex-girlfriend, that you jilted me, that you’re nothing but a used-up bitch who—”

“If I’m used,” I cut in, stepping so close he had to tilt his head down to meet my eyes, “then you’re expired and useless. Big difference.” I smiled, slow and cold. “And if I did want to seduce Xavier, there’s no one alive who could stop me.”

He blinked, caught off guard for a split second.

“And you can expose me all you want,” I continued, voice icy. “I don’t care. But listen carefully… stay the hell away from me. This is my last warning.”

He forced a laugh, though his eyes flickered with uneasy surprise. “Where the fuck did this little mouse suddenly get the effrontery to stand up for herself? Veronica growing a backbone doesn’t suit you one bit. Don’t force it. Go back to being the doormat. That’s your brand, baby. Don’t trash your whole identity.”

I tilted my head, flashing him the sweetest smile I could muster. “The only mouse I see here is you, Jason. You let Moni pull your strings like a cheap puppet. But whenever you want to feel like a big man, you crawl back to me with your weak little threats.” I leaned in just a fraction. “Stop being so slimy and grow a damn spine. I’m not who I used to be. I’ve changed, Jason. You should too and stop being a cartoonish jerk.”

His mouth opened, no doubt ready to spit something cruel, but I didn’t wait. I brushed past him, head high, heart hammering against my ribs. Let him think I was dangerous, even if I was shaking inside. Even if it was all an act, I’d keep it up. I couldn’t let them walk all over me anymore. It’s exhausting. I’ve been putting up with all these nonsense for years.

But God, he just doesn’t learn. He just keeps coming back like all my warnings are trash. This is the third time he’s coming again, over the same damn thing.”

~JASON POV~

I slammed my palm against the wall the moment she walked off, the sting barely registering through the rage. How the hell could she talk to me like that? I’d been going back and forth for weeks trying to make her quit, and the bitch just wouldn’t break. She even had the audacity to threaten Moni over the phone.

‘You let Moni pull your strings like a cheap puppet.’ The words replayed in my head. 

What the fuck? Moni doesn’t control me—she protects me. Big difference.

“Shit! I should have told her straight — for the record — I’m not some cheap puppet. She is.”

I’d make her pay. This was the third time she’d cooked me so badly. It kept getting worse. How the hell did she change in just five years? Five damn years and she suddenly had all these sleek comebacks like she’d taken a masterclass in being a smartass.

I totally wasted my time with her. Didn’t even get the Tesla Cybertruck out of the deal. Crazy bitch.

I won’t rest until I torment her. She has to leave. I don’t have any leverage left because of her. I’d make her pay dearly. And what the hell does my pathetic adoptive father even see in her? Who the hell would want Veronica? How did she even make the shortlist? She’s not even wealthy.

After pacing and muttering curses for a few minutes, I straightened up. If I couldn’t threaten her directly anymore, I’d make her look like a threat to her precious “source.”

I’m so smart. And dangerous. 

I smirked.

I found my adoptive father’s receptionist and told her I needed to see him urgently. She disappeared into the office, then came back and escorted me to the door. I straightened my tie, cleared my throat, and stepped inside with what I hoped was a concerned-son expression.

“Good morning, Father,” I said, my voice cracking just enough to sound emotional.

“Fuck, what’s that smell?” I blurted, pinching my nose shut.

Xavier didn’t even look up from his monitor.

I followed the scent and spotted the cup. Matcha. God, I hated that grassy shit.

“You shouldn’t be drinking that matcha crap,” I complained. “It smells like a lawnmower had diarrhea.”

He still didn’t reply.

“Father,” I pressed, stepping closer to his desk, “I came to warn you about Veronica. She’s my ex. We dated for years. She used me for my money, that’s why I have no investments all these years. Remember that welcome party? She purposely started that fire just to get in the spotlight—that’s exactly the type of person she is. She’s only working here so she can worm her way in, get attention, and slowly claim everything you own.”

“Okay,” Xavier said flatly, eyes never leaving the screen.

My brow furrowed. “Okay? Father, I’m standing here giving you life-saving information and all you say is ‘okay’? You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into. Take the offer away from her before it’s too late and give it to my wife, Moni. She’s more trustworthy, I promise.”

He remained silent. My patience thinned dangerously.

He reached for the telephone beside him, dialed a number, and spoke calmly. “Security. My office. Now.”

“What?” I sputtered. “You’re calling security on me? I’m your son! You can’t pick some random girl over your own. Father, I demand an answer!”

The door swung open. Two burly security guards walked in. Xavier gave them a single nod.

They grabbed my arms. “Hey—no, don’t touch me! Get your filthy hands off me!”

They didn’t listen. One of them hoisted me over his shoulder like I weighed nothing.

“You’ll regret this choice, Father!” I yelled as the security guard hauled me toward the door, my legs kicking uselessly in the air like a toddler throwing a tantrum. “You’ll regret it! Mark my words!”

The moment we stepped into the hallway, every head in the open-plan reception area turned. A few employees froze mid-conversation. One woman with a clipboard actually gasped. Whispers rippled through the hall like a wave — low, urgent, and way too entertained for my liking.

“Look at that… isn’t that the boss’s adoptive son?”

“Carried out like a sack of potatoes… what did he do?”

“Shh, don’t stare, but damn…”

My face burned. I twisted violently in the guard’s grip, trying to glare at the crowd. “Hey! You! Mind your own damn business!” I barked, jabbing a finger at the nearest group of gossiping interns. “What the hell are you looking at? Go back to pretending to work!”

The guard didn’t even break stride. He just adjusted his hold on me like I was an annoying briefcase and kept walking toward the elevators. “Sir, calm down,” he muttered in a bored tone, as if he dealt with entitled pricks like me every day.

“Calm down? Put me down, you oversized gorilla!” I snarled, pounding my fist uselessly against his broad back. “I’m Xavier Cross’s son! Do you have any idea what I can do to your job? I’ll have you both fired by lunch!”

The second guard following behind just chuckled under his breath. “Sure you will, buddy.”