Chapter 345: Slapping

Chapter 345: Slapping
[Sarah]

The Pierce Technologies PR department fell into stunned silence the moment I stepped off the elevator. Every conversation stopped mid-sentence, every keyboard went quiet, and I could feel dozens of pairs of eyes tracking my movement across the polished floor. My security guards flanked me, their presence adding weight to what was already a charged atmosphere.

I wasn't here for pleasantries. The cold fury that had been building since I'd confirmed Nora's involvement in that hotel setup was now crystallized into pure determination. Let them stare. Let them whisper. I had business to conduct.

"Has Nora arrived yet?" I asked the room at large, my voice cutting through the tension like a blade.

A junior PR associate near the coffee station nearly dropped her mug. She glanced nervously around the room before answering, "She... she usually comes in right at nine. Should be here any minute now."

"Good." I positioned myself where I'd have a clear view of the entrance, my hands folded over my growing belly. The baby kicked restlessly, as if sensing my agitation. Easy, little one, I thought. Mommy just needs to handle something.

The minutes ticked by with excruciating slowness. I could hear the whispered speculation behind me—fragments about why I was here, what I might want, whether Theodore knew about my visit. I ignored it all. My focus was laser-sharp, fixed on one goal.

Then I heard the distinctive click of designer heels on marble, accompanied by the soft rustle of expensive fabric. The clicking grew closer, more confident, and I knew without turning that Nora had arrived.

She swept into the department like she owned it, her designer handbag swinging from her perfectly manicured fingers, her hair styled in waves that looked suspiciously similar to mine from last month. The sight of the crowd gathered near the entrance made her pause, her red lips curving into an amused smile.

"What's all the excitement about?" she called out cheerfully, clearly expecting to be the center of some office gossip session.

That's when she saw me.

The transformation was instantaneous. Her confident stride faltered, the smile sliding off her face like melting wax. I watched her eyes dart around the room, clearly looking for Victoria's familiar presence and finding none. Without her backup, she was already at a disadvantage, and she knew it.

"Sarah?" Her voice was higher than usual, carefully modulated but betraying her nervousness. "You're looking for me? This is... unexpected. What brings you here so early?"

I turned slowly to face her, letting my gaze travel deliberately over her surgically altered features. The nose that was almost but not quite mine. The jawline that had been shaved down to match my bone structure. The lips that had been injected to replicate my natural fullness. It was like looking at a funhouse mirror version of myself, and the sight filled me with such revulsion that I had to fight back nausea.

"Early?" I kept my voice level, almost conversational. "I suppose it might seem that way to someone who makes a habit of cutting it close. But then again, I've always been an early riser."

She relaxed slightly at my calm tone, clearly misreading the situation. "Oh, well, if it's not urgent, we can just talk here. No need for—"

I didn't let her finish. My hand moved before my mind fully processed the decision, connecting with her cheek in a sharp crack that echoed through the suddenly silent office.

The impact sent her stumbling backward, one hand flying to her face, her eyes wide with shock and pain. Around us, the entire PR department seemed to hold its breath. I could see phones being subtly pulled out, but no one dared to actually start recording. Not yet.

"You dare to wear my face?" The words came out low and deadly, each syllable dripping with disgust. "You think you can parade around in a mockery of my appearance and I wouldn't notice?"

Nora's composure cracked completely. Tears welled in her eyes—probably more from shock than actual pain—and she pressed her palm against the growing red mark on her cheek.

"You hit me!" she gasped, her carefully practiced voice cracking. "You actually hit me! What gives you the right?"

The question ignited something volcanic in my chest. I gestured to my security team with a subtle nod, and they moved forward immediately, positioning themselves on either side of her before she could react.

"Hold her," I instructed calmly.

"What? No! You can't—" Nora's protests were cut short as the guards gently but firmly grasped her arms, preventing her from backing away further. Her struggles were futile against their professional restraint.

I stepped closer, close enough to see the fear replacing the indignation in her surgically enhanced eyes. "When you hurt Wilson, when you destroyed her sight, she screamed louder than you're screaming now. And all I've done is slap you twice."

"I don't know what you're talking about!" Nora's voice cracked with panic. "You're insane! You're making things up!"

My hand connected with her other cheek, this time with more force. The sound was sharp and final in the hushed office space.

"Don't." Slap. "You." Slap. "Dare." Slap. "Lie to me."

Each word was punctuated by another sharp blow, and I could see her resolve crumbling with each impact. Her face was flushing red on both sides now, tears streaming down her cheeks, but I felt no sympathy. Only cold, methodical anger.

I grabbed her chin, forcing her to meet my eyes. Her skin was hot under my fingers, flushed with pain and humiliation.

"You underestimated me, Nora. I've never needed a man to define me, protect me, or validate me. Not Theodore, not anyone. And certainly not some pathetic imitation like you could ever break me."

The office remained frozen around us, a tableau of shocked faces and held breath. I could sense movement at the periphery—someone approaching quickly—but I wasn't finished.

"Did you really think you could destroy my life and I'd just... what? Disappear quietly? Let you have whatever twisted fantasy you were chasing?" I leaned closer, my voice dropping to a whisper that somehow carried more menace than shouting ever could. "You picked the wrong woman to mess with."

"Sarah! What the hell do you think you're doing?"

Alex's voice cut through the tension like a gunshot. I glanced over to see him striding toward us, his face a mask of professional concern mixed with barely concealed anger. Behind him, I could see more employees gathering, drawn by the commotion.

He pushed past my security guards and reached for Nora, clearly intending to free her from their grip. "This is a workplace, not some street corner. You can't just assault employees!"

I straightened, smoothing down my coat with deliberate calm. "Alex. How thoughtful of you to join us. I was just having a conversation with your colleague here about professional ethics."

"This isn't a conversation, it's an attack!" He helped steady Nora, whose legs seemed to be having trouble supporting her weight. "Look at her face! You've seriously injured her!"

"Injured?" I almost laughed. "She's had so much plastic surgery to look like me, I doubt she can feel half her face anyway. A few slaps hardly constitute serious injury."

Alex's expression darkened. "I'm calling security. And probably the police."

"Go ahead," I replied with perfect equanimity. "I'm sure they'd be very interested in hearing about Miss Nora's recent activities. Identity theft, fraud, conspiracy to defame... the list is quite extensive."

Before Alex could respond, the distinctive ding of the elevator announced new arrivals. The doors slid open to reveal Theodore and Victoria, both looking every inch the corporate power players they were.

Victoria's sharp eyes immediately took in the scene—Nora's tear-streaked, reddened face, my security guards still flanking her, the circle of horrified employees, Alex's defensive posture. Her carefully applied lipstick couldn't quite hide the way her mouth tightened with what looked like barely suppressed satisfaction.

"Sarah Sullivan," she said, her voice carrying clearly across the silent office. "What exactly do you think gives you the right to assault my cousin?"

I smiled, the expression feeling sharp as broken glass on my face. "Victoria. Perfect timing. You're next on my list."