Chapter 11 Rachel Was In
Danger
“Are you busy?” Brian asked.
“Yeah, I’m handling some work,” said Rachel.
“How about lunch together at noon?” he asked again.
“Aren’t
you worried someone might find out about us? I’ll just eat at the cafeteria on my own.” She turned him down without hesitation. “If there’s nothing else, I’m hanging
up.”
“Wait…” Brian had come home early today, only to find the house empty.
It wasn’t hard to figure out–she must have already known about his late–night departure. That would explain why her voice was so distant, so cold.
“Tracy got into trouble after drinking too much last night. I couldn’t just ignore it, but I came straight home once everything was handled.”
Rachel’s response was flat. “Okay. I understand.”
Brian’s brows furrowed instantly. That was it? She didn’t ask for details, didn’t press him for an explanation. He had expected her to be upset, maybe even lash out at him.
Instead, she was indifferent–too indifferent.
“Rachel, don’t you have-”
Before he could finish, Samira pushed open the door and reported, “Ms. Marsh, Maddox is almost here.”
“I’m busy. I gotta go.” Rachel ended the call without a second thought.
Noticing the exhaustion in her expression, Samira hesitated before asking, “Are you alright?”
Rachel ran a hand through her tousled hair, exhaled slowly, and straightened her posture. “Let him in.”
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“Yes.”
When Maddox walked in, he was dressed in a tailored navy blue suit, his hair styled to
perfection.
He carried himself like the picture of a seasoned businessman.
“Ms. Marsh, what can I do for you?” Maddox asked with an easy smile.
From his relaxed demeanor, it was clear he had no clue why he’d been summoned.
Rachel wasn’t interested in drawn–out pleasantries. The decision had already been
made. No need to waste time.
She tossed a stack of documents onto the desk. “Take a look.”
Maddox’s expression shifted the moment he saw the design blueprints.
By the time he had skimmed through all the evidence, the color had drained from his
face.
“This… this has to be a misunderstanding. I swear, the Titan Innovations design has
nothing to do with me!”
Rachel had expected this reaction. It didn’t faze her in the slightest.
“Really? Then look again.”
She hurled another stack of documents at him. “Maddox, you should know that betrayal is the one thing this company will never tolerate. You crossed the line. I suggest you resign voluntarily. You won’t be receiving your salary for this month, nor will you get this year’s bonus.”
“On what grounds?” Maddox’s eyes darkened with fury as he shot her a glare. Realizing Rachel wasn’t going to back down, he abandoned all pretense, letting his true nature
show.
“For stealing trade secrets, compromising the company, and causing us to lose millions.” Her voice was unwavering, each word carrying weight.
“Maddox, I took into account the years you spent working here, which is why I’m giving you the chance to leave with a shred of dignity. But if you refuse, I’ll have no choice but to fire you and make your actions public.”
Rachel’s tone was sharp, her expression colder than ever, nothing like the woman he
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was used to dealing with.
Seeing that intimidation wasn’t working, Maddox changed tactics. He had heard that she had a soft heart. If pleading was his only option, so be it.
With a heavy thud, he dropped to his knees.
“I was wrong! I let greed get the best of me, but I swear–this was the first and last time. I’ll never do it again!”
His voice trembled with desperation as tears streamed down his face.
“Please, I beg you, think of all the years I’ve dedicated to this company. Just this once -give me another chance!”
His act was so flawless, it almost seemed genuine.
But Rachel wasn’t swayed. What he had done wasn’t just a mistake–it was a betrayal. And that was something she could never overlook.
“Get up. A man like you has no place here.” Her tone remained as cold as steel.
“Letting you resign is the only kindness I’m willing to extend. Now, get up, walk out that door, and go to HR. It’s to the right. Handle the paperwork yourself.”
Rachel’s voice remained composed and unwavering.
The decisiveness in her tone was a stark departure from her usual demeanor.
Maddox’s fists clenched against the floor, his knuckles turning white as his gaze darkened with unspoken malice.
He stared at the floor, his expression unreadable.
But when he finally lifted his head, the menace had vanished, replaced by a carefully
constructed calm.
“Let me ask you one last time–are you sure you want that? What happens if I refuse to resign?”
“Then I’ll hand over all the evidence to the authorities and let them deal with it.” Rachel’s tone remained cool, matter–of–fact. “If that happens, you won’t just be out of a job–you’ll be facing criminal charges.”
Maddox let out a sneer. “So, you’re really doing this for my own good. It seems I owe you a proper ‘thank you“.”
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With that, he’offered a slight bow and strode out of the office.
But the moment he crossed the threshold, his smile vanished.
His face twisted into something sinister–his expression so dark it looked like he was
ready to tear someone apart.
Samira, watching him leave, felt a shiver run down her spine. “He seems dangerous. His emotions are all over the place.”
“Exactly why he has no place in this company,” Rachel replied, her voice firm.
“At least we caught him before things got worse,” Samira muttered. “Maybe it’s a
blessing in disguise.”
“That’s right. You played a key role in this. I’ll make sure your performance bonus
reflects it.”
Samira’s eyes lit up as she gasped in excitement. “You’re the best! Thank you!”
“You can get back to work.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
No one could have predicted what happened next.
Just as Samira pushed the door open, Maddox’s face appeared in the doorway, his expression twisted with fury.
The sheer malice in his eyes sent an icy chill through the room.
Samira gasped, stumbling backward in sheer terror.
Before she could react, Maddox seized her by the arm and shoved her aside.
Her head struck the sharp edge of the table with a sickening crack, and blood gushed instantly from the wound.
Her body crumpled to the floor, motionless.
“Samira!” Rachel’s voice shook as she lunged forward, her hands scrambling for her
phone.
Her fingers barely pressed the call button before she heard the line connect.
But the voice on the other end wasn’t Brian’s–it was Tracy’s. “Rachel, Brian’s a little
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tied
up right now. If it’s about work, I can relay the message.‘”
“I have”
Before Rachel could finish, a hand shot out and clamped around her throat.
Maddox’s grip was like iron, squeezing the breath from her lungs.
Her hands flew up, clawing at his wrists, but his hold only tightened, his face contorted
with rage.
“Rachel Marsh, why is it that you’re kind to everyone but me?” His voice was guttural,
filled with raw bitterness.
“You forgive others when they make mistakes. You’re warm–even to the janitor. You show kindness to everyone–except me. Why? Why do you have to be so cruel to me?”
