Chapter 182 Exposed

Chapter 182 Exposed
Margaret's composure was completely shattered. She dropped to her knees on the polished marble floor, her hands clasped together, desperate. If that video was played, it was over.

"Please, Mr. Reed, I'm begging you," she sobbed, her voice breaking. "I know I was wrong. I know I shouldn't have posted that video, but I swear I didn't hack Miss Summer's phone. I was just given the video and I—"

"The footage, Lewis," Alex said, cutting through Margaret's pleas without even looking at her.

Lewis nodded and tapped the tablet in his hands. Within seconds, the large display screen in the lobby flickered to life, drawing everyone's attention.

Sienna, who had been standing frozen near the concierge desk, suddenly sprang into action. She rushed forward, her heels clicking frantically against the marble.

"Alex, please," she said, her voice taking on a desperate edge. "Everyone already mentioned it was Margaret. She's already pleading. There's no need to bother with the video anymore. We all know what happened—"

Alex's head turned slowly toward her, his expression so cold and dismissive that Sienna actually took a step back. The temperature in the room seemed to drop another ten degrees.

"What right," he asked, his voice quiet but cutting like a blade, "do you have to demand that from me?"

Sienna's mouth opened and closed, no sound emerging. Her face had gone pale beneath her carefully applied makeup.

Alex's attention immediately returned to Brie, his expression softening as he looked down at her. His hand came up to cup her face, his thumb stroking her cheek with infinite tenderness. When he spoke, his voice was gentle, meant only for her.

"Don't worry," he murmured. "I'm going to get to the root of this."

Brie nodded mutely, still processing everything that was happening. Alex's protective presence surrounded her like a shield, making her feel safe despite everything.

Alex straightened, his arm still wrapped securely around Brie's waist. "Lewis, ensure that we have video footage of everything that transpired since we arrived at the resort. I want it all before this is concluded."

"Yes, sir," Lewis replied, his fingers already moving across the tablet screen.

Near the back of the gathered crowd, Naomi and Greg exchanged shaky glances. Their faces had gone noticeably pale, but they remained silent, their eyes fixed nervously on the display screen.

The video began to play. The timestamp indicated it was from earlier that afternoon, and the camera angle captured a service corridor near the staff break room. Margaret appeared on screen, looking around furtively before approaching a younger staff member. The audio was clear enough to hear their conversation.

"I need you to do something for me," Margaret said on the video, pulling out her wallet. "I need you to play the video on this device.”

The staff member hesitated. "What’s in it?" he was skeptical.

Margaret gave him a soft smile. "It’s nothing serious. Just some pranks among the team. Here's five hundred dollars," Margaret interrupted, holding out the bills. "Just make sure it comes up when you get my message tonight. We’ll be dining at the rooftop lounge."

A small smile formed on the staff member's face before he took the money, pocketing it quickly, then hurried away.

The lobby erupted in shocked murmurs. Staff members who had been against the video and picture leaks from earlier turned on her with expressions of disgust and betrayal.

"I can't believe she actually bribed someone!"

"That's so low."

"She's been causing trouble for Brie for months, but this—"

"Margaret is bad news. I always said so." One of the guys from the IT team spoke. He had been among the group that sat with Brie and Jen on their drive to the resort.

Margaret's face crumpled. She turned toward Brie, crawling forward on her knees, her hands outstretched in supplication.

"Miss Summers, please," she begged, tears streaming down her face. "I know I was wrong. I'm so sorry. I need this job—I have bills to pay, I—I was jealous, okay? I was jealous because you're beautiful and successful, and you had someone like Jeff Reed pining for you, and when I saw the video of you and Mr. Alex Reed, I thought it was a perfect way to expose you; that way, everyone would say you were favored because you were sleeping with the Boss.” Her voice broke on a sob. "But I swear, I swear on everything, I never had anything to do with the pictures or the messages. I was only given a video, and it was Peyton who gave it to me!" Brie just stared at her; she didn’t have the strength to give Margaret any emotion. This was the lady who had constantly instigated every gossip about her in the office.

Peyton, who had just been accused, hurriedly spoke to defend herself. Her face flushed bright red in the process. "That's a lie! I never gave you anything!"

"You did!" Margaret shrieked, her desperation making her voice shrill. "You sent it to me on my phone! I have the evidence—I can show you the messages!"

"Then show them!" Peyton shot back, her own voice rising in anger, before glancing towards Naomi’s direction.

The argument between the two women escalated, their voices overlapping as they hurled accusations at each other. Other staff members began taking sides, and the lobby descended into chaos.

Sienna seized the opportunity, stepping forward again. Her voice rose above the commotion, taking on a pleading tone.

"Alex, please. Can we handle this matter somewhere private? Away from the lounge?" She gestured at the team, which was now inclusive of top management staff who had come around the same time Alex came to the resort. "We already know it was Margaret. There's no need to continue this public display—"

"What's the problem, Sienna?" Meg sharply silenced her. She had been standing silently some distance away from Brie and Alex during the entire confrontation. Her face was flushed with barely contained anger, her hands clenched into fists at her sides.

Everyone turned to look at her.

"Why are you in such a rush? Why do you want to move this away from here so badly?" Her voice grew stronger, more accusatory. "Or do you have something to hide?"

"I don't—I'm not—" Sienna stammered, her composure cracking.

Meg had barely finished speaking when someone in the crowd let out a loud gasp.

"Oh my God," a young woman breathed, her hand flying to her mouth. "Is that—is that Sienna on the screen I see?"

Every head in the lobby swiveled toward the display screen.

The video had continued playing, the timestamp now showing Sienna meeting the same staff half an hour later. The evidence was damning.

The lobby fell into absolute silence.