Chapter 50

Chapter 50
Veronica

Kiara’s smile widened slightly before she stepped around me and headed for the office door.

“This is only the beginning,” she said calmly.

Then she walked out first.

I followed shortly after, my chest still tight from everything she had just said.

The second we stepped out into the hallway, conversations died almost instantly.

Every employee nearby suddenly became interested in pretending to work while very obviously staring.

Kiara noticed it too and unlike me, she seemed to enjoy it.

She stopped walking just enough for everyone to pay attention before turning back toward me slowly.

Her gaze drifted over my uniform again.

Then she smiled.

“You know,” she said loudly enough for nearby staff to hear, “I always wondered what kind of woman could make someone throw away an alliance worth millions.”

I felt every eye in the hallway snap toward me immediately.

Kiara tilted her head slightly.

“But I suppose some men enjoy rescuing struggling girls,” she continued smoothly. “Makes them feel powerful.”

Mrs Thompson’s eyes widened slightly from across the hall.

I could already see curiosity spreading.

The whispers beginning.

I clenched my jaw hard.

Kiara stepped closer now, lowering her voice just enough to sound intimate while still making sure everyone could hear pieces of it.

“Tell me,” she said softly. “Was it difficult?”

I frowned.

“What?”

“Seducing your way into his sympathy.”

My breath caught instantly.

A few people nearby shifted awkwardly.

Others looked even more interested.

Kiara gave a small shrug.

“Although I suppose everyone survives differently.” Her eyes flicked toward my uniform again. “Some people work for opportunities. Others sleep for them.”

Heat rushed to my face instantly.

I opened my mouth immediately.

“That’s not—”

“Oh?” Kiara interrupted smoothly. “Then perhaps I’m mistaken.”

The fake innocence in her tone made it worse.

She smiled one final time before turning away like she hadn’t just set my entire life on fire.

The moment she was gone, I could feel every stare digging into my skin.

I stood frozen for a second, trying to process how everything had spiraled so badly in less than twenty minutes.

Then I noticed Derek standing near his office again.

He avoided looking directly at me at first before subtly gesturing toward the office with his eyes.

Slowly, I walked toward him.

Derek stepped aside to let me enter first before quietly shutting the door behind us.

The silence inside felt unbearable.

I turned toward him fully.

“What’s going on?” I asked quietly.

Derek dragged a hand across his face, already looking exhausted.

“Veronica…”

The hesitation in his voice made my pulse start pounding.

He sighed heavily.

“Miss Vasilik has business connections tied to Rickon’s.” He paused briefly. “Important ones.”

I stared at him blankly.

“And?”

His jaw tightened slightly.

“And if this situation escalates any further…” He exhaled slowly. “The hotel could face serious problems.”

The realization hit me slowly.

Painfully.

My voice came out almost numb.

“You’re firing me?”

Derek looked genuinely guilty now.

“I’m sorry.”

I laughed in disbelief.

“You can’t be serious.”

“Veronica—”

“I didn’t even do anything.”

“I know.”

“Then why am I the one losing my job?”

Derek looked away briefly because neither of us knew how to answer that honestly.

Because Kiara Vasilik had money, power and influence. 

And I didn’t.

“Okay.” I said painfully, though I didn't show it. “Fine. Thank you, Derek.”

“Veronica, it’s not like I want to do this—”

“No.” I shook my head softly before forcing a small smile onto my face. “I understand.”

Derek sighed heavily.

“I really am sorry.”

I nodded once.

“I’m sorry for causing any trouble.”

The words tasted bitter coming out of my mouth.

Because deep down, I knew none of this was my fault. But somehow I was still the one apologizing.

Funny.

I gave him one last strained smile before stepping out.

•~~•

I slept through almost the entire day.

Mostly because reality felt easier to deal with unconscious.

By the time I finally opened my eyes again, the room was dark except for the lights slipping through my curtains.

For a second, I just laid there staring at the ceiling blankly.

Then reality came crashing back all over again.

“Gahhhddd.” I groaned.

I let out a frustrated groan before dragging both hands over my face.

The digital clock sitting near my bed read 8:17 PM.

Great.

I had basically wasted the entire day spiraling.

Slowly, I sat up against the bed frame, staring toward the pile of papers scattered across my small table.

Remaining expenses.

I wasn’t even done with school yet which meant I couldn’t exactly get into  any corporate jobs and a small business would pay any bills overnight. 

I was just there.

I chuckled under my breath.

At this point, my life genuinely felt one inconvenience away from complete disaster.

I grabbed my phone from beside me, absentmindedly scrolling through job listings I already knew I wasn’t qualified for.

When suddenly, my phone rang.

Unknown number.

I frowned immediately.

Almost nobody called me from unknown numbers.

For a second, I considered ignoring it completely.

But eventually I sighed and answered.

“Hello?”

There was a brief pause, then  a soft female voice spoke.

“Hello… am I speaking to Veronica Norman?”

Something about the accent caught my attention instantly.

“Yes,” I answered cautiously. “Who is this?”

“Great! This is Miyako.” She said. “The lady from the hotel two days ago.”