Filed to story: When His Wife Can’t Forgive
Suddenly, a voice rang out from inside, cutting through the tension. “Does she even need to be taught? Want to find out who took second place in that competition?”
Corey glanced up to see Gerry striding toward him. Dressed in bright colors, Gerry resembled a flamboyant beetle. As he approached, he pulled a baseball bat from behind him, the solid wood striking a menacing thwack against his palm.
Corey’s eyes narrowed at the sight. “Mr. Hopkins, are you really planning to start a fight on my turf?”
Gerry let out a laugh, the sound dripping with mockery. “Do you even need to ask? What else do you think I brought this bat for? To use it as a walking stick?”
Alicia interjected, her tone sharp as a knife. “Corey, don’t even think about calling the police. All power in your office has been cut off. No one is coming to save you.”
Corey shook his head in disbelief, incredulous at the audacity of it all. “Do people still resort to such tactics in a law-abiding society?”
Alicia replied calmly, “You’ve committed a few dirty deeds yourself. What’s wrong with using force? A seasoned businessman like you isn’t scared of a small altercation, right?”
Corey fixed his cold gaze on Alicia. She was determined to teach him a lesson he wouldn’t forget. But would they be able to handle him? Always up for fun and games, Gerry stood no chance against him.
A dismissive smirk crept across Corey’s face as he rolled up his shirt sleeves. “If it comes to a fight, you might not be my match.”
“Is that so?” Gerry asked, whistling indifferently. At that moment, Jasmine stepped out of the room, flanked by a group of strong men. They all wore matching uniforms, clearly hired muscle from a security company.
Corey recognized Jasmine instantly. She was the top female bodyguard in Warrington, renowned for her combat skills that rivaled those of the Special Forces.
As Jasmine stepped into the room, Yolanda instinctively recoiled and accidentally bumped into something, causing it to clatter loudly. All eyes turned to her. Her face flushed, and she instinctively hid her hands behind her back.
Gerry sauntered over, casually propping one leg on a chair to block Yolanda’s escape. He tilted his head, his tone deceptively polite. “Hey, Yolanda, what are you hiding?”
Though Yolanda was familiar with Gerry, she was acutely aware of the rift between them. His tone when he uttered her name dripped with mockery. She gritted her teeth and replied, “I’m not hiding anything.”
Gerry tried to reassure her with a smirk. “I don’t hit women. However, you really need to cooperate and show me what’s in your hands.”
Yolanda’s resolve hardened. “I told you, I don’t have anything! Get out of my way!”
In a swift motion, Gerry reached out and snatched the object from her grip. It was her phone. Fortunately, he had intercepted her just in time; her call for help had not gone through. He turned off the phone and casually tossed it into his pocket. “You don’t have to worry. You’re not the target today. Just sit back and enjoy the show.”
Yolanda’s heart raced. She couldn’t afford to lose Corey as a partner.
“You can’t touch Corey! My dad won’t let you get away with this!”
Gerry chuckled, a sly grin spreading across his face. “Since when did your father become so close to Corey? Are they having an affair?”
Yolanda’s fury ignited. “What nonsense are you spouting?”
“How is it nonsense? Why else would they be so close?” Seeing that she couldn’t argue with him, Yolanda redirected her anger toward Alicia.
“Alicia, you’re just some regular art collector. What’s with you trying to stir up trouble on Corey’s turf?”
Gerry frowned. “Keep it down, or I’ll have to gag you!”
Alicia suddenly asked, “Yolanda, did you design those mannequins?”
Corey turned his gaze toward her. He gestured with his eyes for Yolanda to admit it. After all, her father, Dorian, was backing her. If something went wrong, he would swoop in to clean up the mess. Corey didn’t need to get involved in this circus.
Yolanda deflected, her voice cool and dismissive. “Why does it matter to you?”
Alicia smiled gently and replied, “What do you think? Naturally, it’s to hold the instigator accountable. Whoever came up with the idea and crafted the first batch of mannequins, I’ll settle the score with them today.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Gerry swung the baseball bat and smashed a priceless antique vase, sending shards flying across the room.
Yolanda’s nerves were on edge, like a thin thread about to snap. It felt as though she were watching her own demise unfold in slow motion. She gasped for breath and shouted, “You dare threaten me? Mark my words, you are all doomed!”
Alicia spoke with a calm resolve. “I won’t harm innocent people without cause. Whoever is responsible will be held accountable.” Corey’s frown deepened.
Yolanda wasn’t weak; her mind was sharp, and her thoughts were malicious. But Alicia had deliberately sent Gerry to rattle her, knowing that someone as sheltered as Yolanda wouldn’t handle discomfort well and might even try to deflect the blame.
Yolanda glanced at Corey, and her intent was clear as day. Corey’s gaze was cold as steel, his message unmistakable. The mistake was hers, and she would have to face the consequences alone.
Just as Yolanda opened her mouth to speak, Alicia’s attention shifted back to Corey. “Mr. Hampton, who do you think is responsible?”
Corey’s reply was laced with irony. “Why ask when you already know the answer, Ms. Bennett?”
“It’s good to be cautious,” Alicia said, her tone sharp.
Corey sidestepped her question. “Have you considered what will happen after today? Whether it’s me or Yolanda, your impulsiveness will only stir up more trouble for Caden. You’re playing with fire.”
Alicia let out a low chuckle. “Corey, if Caden were handling this personally, do you think you’d still be standing here, having this conversation?”
Corey was stunned. Caden clearly hadn’t caught wind of the affair with the mannequins, and Alicia’s swift retaliation had been her desperate attempt to keep it that way. She was brave, no question about it. Corey had never known a woman so fearless. While a part of him envied Caden, another part couldn’t help but respect Alicia. She wasn’t just some pretty face clawing her way up the social ladder.
But today wasn’t the day for him to play the hero, especially for Yolanda. She wasn’t worth it.
With a calm, unshaken voice, he said, “If you want to know who’s responsible, ask Yolanda.”
A tremor ran through Yolanda. All eyes turned on her, filled with questions. Jaw clenched, she lashed out, dragging Corey into the fray. “When I made this call, you agreed. You provided the funds and materials, and once it was set in motion, you told me to go ahead with promoting it. Now that the situation has blown up, you expect me to take the fall alone?”
Corey had anticipated her double-crossing, but it didn’t stop him from scowling. “Yolanda, tread carefully. Words have weight, and they come with consequences.”
Unfazed, Yolanda threw his warning back at him. “We are both in this mess, Corey. If I’m going down, you’re coming with me.”
After speaking, she flashed Alicia a defiant, provocative smile. “Let’s see who dares lay a hand on me today.”
As soon as she said that, Alicia gave Gerry a subtle nod. Without hesitation, Gerry and his team of bodyguards began smashing everything of value in the office. Corey looked on, his expression cold and impassive. Though he didn’t flinch at the destruction around him, he knew Gerry was testing his limits.
Alicia’s voice was steady, almost too calm. “When they’re done, you’re next. Think carefully about who will take the fall for this.”
The crashing sounds filled the room, and Yolanda’s face went as pale as a ghost. As the computer shattered into pieces, a look of sheer panic washed over her.
Just then, Alicia’s phone chimed with a new message. After glancing at it, she turned to Corey with a cool smirk. “Corey, you’re really shameless. You started this mess, but you won’t own up to it, leaving a woman to take the blame.”
Corey narrowed his eyes. “Alicia, what exactly are you implying?”
Alicia replied, “I just got confirmation that everything-from production to promotion, even client outreach-was organized by your company.”
Before Corey could respond, Yolanda’s voice broke the tension. “Yes, I did it all under Corey’s orders! He told me to handle everything!” Corey’s expression darkened.
Alicia stood up and handed Yolanda a baseball bat. “It’s your turn, Miss Moss.”
Yolanda stiffened. “My turn? What do you want me to do?”
“Do you want me to repeat myself?” Alicia’s gaze was icy. “If you don’t hit Corey, I’ll have to hand the bat to him.”
Yolanda’s breath caught in her throat. Alicia chuckled darkly. “Do you really think Corey would hesitate to smash your skull?”
Yolanda’s chest heaved with fury. She wished she could wipe the smug smile off Alicia’s face. “Are you trying to sow discord between us?”
Alicia shrugged indifferently. “If that’s how you see it, I can’t do anything about it.”
Without warning, she swung the bat, connecting with Corey’s abdomen. The blow was so sudden that even Corey was caught off guard. It landed with brutal force, and in an instant, he felt the sharp pain of his ribs digging into his flesh. Clutching his abdomen, he bent over, his face flushed with shock and pain.
Alicia looked down at him coldly. “Corey, you can plot against Caden in business all you want, but targeting his mother? That’s a line you should never cross.”
Corey lifted his gaze, icy and sharp. “It’s clear you’ve been trained.”
Alicia couldn’t help but smirk.
She extended her hand and said, “Stand up, Mr. Hampton. It was just a demonstration. Miss Moss didn’t believe I would actually act, so I showed her.”
Feeling the pain and dizziness swirling in his head, Corey glanced at her fair fingers. In a swift motion, Alicia swung the bat again, connecting with his shoulder.
The series of unexpected blows to vital spots brought Corey to his knees, nearly causing him to cough up blood. Moments later, two bodyguards rushed over, restraining Corey and preventing any further retaliation.
Jasmine positioned herself protectively behind Alicia, her stance steady and unwavering.
Alicia turned her head to glance at Yolanda.
Yolanda had never seen Alicia act with such coldness. She stood frozen, terror flooding her eyes. Instinctively, she took a step back.
Alicia’s voice was soft, yet menacing. “If you break one of his limbs, I’ll let you walk away.”
Yolanda gritted her teeth, unwilling to accept Alicia’s proposition. Noticing her hesitation, Alicia signaled the bodyguard to open the door. She leaned in and whispered something to Yolanda.
Yolanda’s pupils dilated as she looked down at the street. As expected, she saw the familiar car pulling up. Tears formed in her eyes as she turned to face Alicia. “Are you really going to go through with this?”
Alicia didn’t answer directly. Instead, she pressed further, “So, you expect me to just overlook this and wait for Caden to handle you upon his return?”
Yolanda hesitated, regret washing over her. She had acted too rashly. If Alicia could threaten her like this, what might Caden do?
Alicia urged, “Go ahead, strike him. You have your father’s support. It’s only Corey; what’s the worst he can do to you?”
Yolanda was visibly shaking, her breath shallow as she tried to steady herself. She glanced at Corey, who met her gaze with fierce intent, as if ready to destroy her. Alicia smirked, arms crossed. “Showing him mercy now won’t save you later. If you strike Corey, not only will he respect your strength, but he’ll also take the blame for the scandal. When Caden returns, he’ll confront Corey, not you.”
By now, Yolanda’s resolve was faltering. She picked up the baseball bat and moved towards Corey.
Alicia caught the bodyguards’ eyes. They silently acknowledged her signal.
As Yolanda neared Corey, the bodyguards loosened their grip.
Yolanda raised the bat to strike him, but Corey reacted swiftly, seizing her by the throat and slamming her against the wall. In that moment, Yolanda felt completely powerless, like a bird caught in the hands of a hunter.
Corey’s grip tightened around her neck, his face red with fury. The mix of rage and shame from the previous confrontation overwhelmed him. He completely lost his composure, his anger reaching its boiling point.
“Do you think you can ruin my hands?” he snarled.
Blood trickled from Yolanda’s head, her eyes bloodshot. She struggled for every breath, her body shaking under his grasp.