Chapter 69 Dangerous Men

Chapter 69 Dangerous Men
“Obsessed.”
The word echoes in my head.
That can’t be true.
I let out a disbelieving laugh, turning to stare at Lawrence. “Watching me? What does that even mean?”
Lawrence’s face is like stone. His jaw is clenched so tightly I can see the muscle ticking, and his fists are balled.
He also doesn’t look at me, which isn't a good sign.
Jay’s voice pulls my attention back to him.

“While I was desperately digging for proof that you two were together,” he says, “I slipped into your work system. And I realised someone had already been there before me.” His eyes slide to Lawrence with satisfaction. “And not just your work laptop. If he could get into your office system, he could get anywhere, right?”
Jay leans forward, enjoying the way Lawrence’s expression hardens.
“So I kept digging. I found remote access logs. Location pings. Traffic camera feeds near your apartment… yada yada.”

He pauses, his expression changing to that of concern. “He’s been watching you for weeks, Scarlett. He’s been obsessed with you.”
My stomach churns violently, to the extent that I want to throw up.
I turn again to Lawrence, searching his face for any sign that Jay is lying.
But Lawrence isn't saying anything. He's just standing there, silent and rigid.

“Lawrence…” My voice comes out surprisingly firm, even though my heart is breaking all over again. “Tell me he’s wrong. Please.”
Lawrence finally looks at me, his green eyes a bit conflicted and worried.
For a short moment he says nothing, allowing me to wallow in the tension.
Then, finally, he admits in a low voice. “That was a long time ago.”
I shut my eyes tightly, trying to breathe through the sudden wave of nausea. At the same time, the office floor seems to swim beneath my feet.

Lawrence's words weren't a denial like I'd prayed for; they were an admission.
Jay’s voice cuts through again, cold and satisfied. “Like I said earlier, Scar… you traded one obsessive monster for another. At least Kieran was honest about being a villain.”
“You shut your fucking mouth,” Lawrence snaps, stepping forward in intimidation.
Jay rises to his feet.
“At least I didn’t set fire to her life just to prove a point that turned out wrong,” Lawrence continues, his voice laced with rage. “You leaked those photos because you thought I’d abandon her the second the scandal hit. Then you could swoop in and play fucking hero.”

He scoffs. “What a fucked up way to think… What a fucked up thing to do to someone you’ve known for years. Someone you claim to care about.”
Lawrence is vibrating with anger now. “You don’t get to break someone just so you can be the one to comfort them.”
“I wasn’t breaking her!” Jay shoots back, his eyes darting desperately to me. His voice softens. “I was trying to wake her up.”
It's my turn to scoff in disbelief. “Wake me up?!” I exclaim, my voice cracking with anger, frustration, and heartbreak all at once.

“What happened to just talking to me, Jay? You hid behind that pathetic excuse that I was ‘too in love with him’ to listen, but you never even tried!”
I can feel my eyes watering, but I keep going, the words pouring out of me.
“It’s not just my life you set on fire. What about my mum’s? The paparazzi were camping outside her building like animals. She had to be moved because of you!”
The tears spill over. I angrily wipe them away.
“At least Kieran was a stranger first. I never knew him. But you… I trusted you. I saw you as my friend.”

My voice cracks again. “You were someone I genuinely cared about… a-and you did this to me?”
I let out a sad laugh, shaking my head.
And as if all this isn't fucked up enough, I now find out my boyfriend’s been acting like some creepy stalker the whole time.
Fuck my life.
A tense silence falls over the three of us before Jay's voice breaks it.
“I’m sorry…” he whispers, his face crumbling.
“No, you're not, Jay.” I shake my head. “What you are is evil.”

He takes a step toward me, but Lawrence moves instantly, stepping between us like a wall.
“Not another step closer,” he warns in a deadly voice.
Jay looks over Lawrence’s shoulder at me, his eyes begging me to understand.
But I can't.
I'm too shattered by the two truths crashing into me at once.
Jay did something unforgivable for selfish reasons.
And Lawrence also did something unforgivable for selfish reasons too.

Traffic cameras? Watching me? What the fuck?
When I first found out he'd hacked the office servers to lure Jay away from me, it had seemed impulsive and reckless, and maybe even a little romantic in a twisted way, because I'd believed it was a one-time thing.
But this isn't one impulsive mistake.
This is a pattern.
A habit.
Something he's been doing consistently behind my back.
And it's so unbelievably fucked up.

“You can hate me all you want, Scar, but he’s no better. Just try to understand why I did it," Jay says, sounding desperate. “I didn’t want you to end up with someone like Kieran again.” He glares at Lawrence. “I don't want you to end up with him.”
Then his voice softens once more. “I just wanted you to see me. For once.”
“And we have seen you,” Lawrence replies coldly. “For what you truly are.”
He pulls out his phone and dials a number without breaking eye contact with Jay.
I know he’s calling security to come pick him up.

“Come with two of your men to my office. Now," he says smoothly, before ending the call.
“Do you know what’s so fascinating about this, Jason?" Lawrence asks, cocking his head as he stares at Jay spitefully.
"The sheer stupidity of your entire plan."
He pauses briefly. “It was every bit as foolish as you are. And never, in the history of spectacularly delusional, self-righteous bullshit, have I seen someone destroy their own life so thoroughly just to play hero.”

Jay scowls at him, but Lawrence continues. "You convinced yourself I’d walk away from Scarlett the moment those photos leaked... that I’d choose my reputation over her. And somehow, despite knowing I’d trace it back to you, you did it anyway.”

Lawrence shakes his head in further disbelief. "It's pathetic that you spent all that time planning, manipulating, scheming, and still failing."
A bitter smile spreads across Jay's face. “You’re still a dangerous man, boss. I just hope she eventually sees it.”
He turns to me. “A man who watches you isn’t someone you should be with, darling.”
A sharp knock sounds at the door. Shortly after, two heavily built security guards step inside.

Lawrence gestures toward Jay, and the guards move in immediately, grabbing his arms.
“You’ll be serving time for what you did,” Lawrence says flatly. “And don’t expect to find employment anywhere at all after this. When I’m done with you, not even the gutters will accept you.”
He nods at the guards. “Take him to the nearest precinct. I’ll join you shortly.”
“Yes, boss.”
Jay doesn’t fight them. He lets them escort him out, but not before shooting me one last sad, almost heartbroken look over his shoulder.

I can already imagine the shocked faces of the staff watching Jay being led away.
Soon, they’ll all know the truth.
Once the door clicks behind them, I walk over to the large window and cross my arms over my chest, staring out at the city below. My mind is still trying to process this shit.