Chapter 154 Change of plans 2
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My head jerks to the side, breath caught in my throat.
I blink rapidly, eyes widening in horror as I gasp.
"What did you just say?" Papa growls, rising to his feet so fast the yacht seems to tilt with him.
"Father—Papa—"
"He caught you stealing that document?" His voice booms, thunderous, accusing.
My throat tightens. I nod slowly, pain stinging across my cheek like a brand.
"But he doesn’t even remember, Papa," I whisper, trying to hold back the tremor in my voice. "I promise."
Papa steps forward with his cane, and before I can move, he shoves the chair I’m sitting on. I hit the floor so hard my breath stings my lungs.
"You promise?" he shouts at me. "Tell me—how did you even know about this condition of his?"
My mouth trembles. I force myself onto my knees.
"T–Ted told me. He said to keep—"
"And who the fuck is Ted, Natalya?" Papa roars, raising his cane like he’s about to strike.
I cover my head instantly.
"Ted is a doctor!" I blurt out. "Hermes’s doctor. And friend. And he’s my friend too—we were all friends in college—"
I wait for the cane. I squeeze my eyes shut.
But… nothing.
Instead Papa’s voice comes low and furious.
"So you didn’t stop to think Hermes might be deceiving you? His doctor friend breaks confidentiality—risks his entire career—and you think that’s real? You think he’s not playing you? Hermes underestimated you, Natalya."
My lips part.
He’s wrong. He has to be wrong. Hermes does have that condition. I’m not stupid. I’m not.
"Call your intel man," Papa snaps. He points his cane at me like I’m a child. "Ask him where Hermes is."
My mind blanks out. I don’t move.
"Now!"
His roar shakes me into motion. My hands fumble through my bag until I find my phone. I dial. I ask. The answer hits my ear.
I hang up slowly.
Papa’s eyes burn into me.
"Well? Where is he?"
My voice barely works. "The st… the store…"
"What!?"
"The store, Papa," I whisper. "He’s… still at the store."
Papa drags a hand down his face.
"Who stays at a store for that long? He’s deceiving you."
He turns to the door.
"Hither!" he barks. His bodyguard appears instantly.
"Find Hermes Grande. Check the house, Lucien’s house, the company. Everywhere."
He turns to me, "I can't afford to lose the opportunity to get back at the Grande's because of your incompetence!"
My chest tightens.
"No," I choke out, rushing toward Papa, grabbing his sleeve. "No, that’s not true. He didn’t deceive me. He—"
My voice falters.
"We talked, and drank wine and he slept with me last night. He wouldn’t… he wouldn’t go that far if it was fake... He wouldn't —"
But then—
But then I remember waking up half naked but I don't even know if we fucked. I just assumed because we both were in bed.
My stomach flips violently.
"Did he—did he drug me?" I whisper to myself, horrified. "Oh my God…"
And then another thought slams into my chest.
June.
June.
Did Hermes… remember her? Did he pretend not to? Did he lie to me? Was all of it fake?
The words slip out before I even realize they’re leaving my mouth.
"He remembers June…" I whisper.
Papa freezes. He turns slowly.
"Who’s June?"
I swallow hard. My voice comes out small, empty.
"The girl Hermes loves. She was his secretary. I fired her this morning."
Papa’s face hardens.
"Hither," he calls again, voice cold.
"Change of plans. Find June."