Chapter 8
In the days that followed, the federal task force uncovered a slew of violations committed by Sterling Industries over the years–everything from corporate bullying to illegal operations.
No wonder Delilah thought she could push me around like it was nothing. She assumed I was just some ordinary woman,
easy to silence.
Turns out, she’d been using Cassian’s name like a weapon for years–intimidating classmates, stealing scholarship offers, blackballing any girl who dared outshine her.
If a girl caught Cassian’s attention–even just once–Delilah would find a way to crush her.
And anyone who dared fight back? The Sterlings made sure they disappeared from the conversation.
To Delilah, ordinary women weren’t worth basic decency–they were targets.
Cassian wasn’t any better. He let her get away with everything. And when he wasn’t enabling her, he was off charming other women, knowing full well that Delilah would lash out in jealous fury.
They called it love. But what they really built was a trail of ruined lives.
Honestly, after learning everything they’d done, I figured I got off easy.
As for Augustus–he wasn’t about to go down without a fight. He pulled every string he had, tried every backdoor deal to claw his way back into power.
But bribery and blackmail don’t work when you’re already under federal scrutiny.
Once the evidence was delivered to the agency, even he couldn’t escape accountability. The great Augustus Sterling was officially detained.
Within hours, a federal notice went public: Sterling Industries was now a priority target for regulatory overhaul. Every
executive was under review.
I spent a few quiet days in the hospital. Luckily, the injuries were superficial–bruises, scrapes, nothing I couldn’t handle.
By the time I got discharged, everything felt… calm..
No one at the agency brought up the Sterlings. No one asked about what really went down that night.
It was business as usual.
I returned to my desk, a mountain of files waiting for me. I had just started sorting through them when Dr. Blake poked his head through the door.
“You’re back,” he said with a grin. “Just in time. I’ve got a message for you.”
I sighed. “Please don’t tell me it’s another arranged date.”
He laughed. “They swear this one’s solid–rich, emotionally stable, zero romantic baggage. You sure you don’t wanna lock this one down?”
Chapter 8
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I almost threw my pen. “Dr. Blake, I’m begging you–let me breathe. I’m officially done with surprise marriages.”
He shook his head, still smiling. “Fair enough. These days, marriage might be more dangerous than your job.”
He closed the door behind him.
I leaned back in my chair, shaking my head.
The sunlight spilled through the blinds, warming the rim of my teacup.
And just like that… it was finally over.
Chapter 8
