He Gave Her Strawberries, Gave Me Hives (Ford and Sylvia) novel Chapter 11

Sylvia landed in New York, where colleagues were waiting to pick her up.

With their help, she settled into the corporate apartment and got everything organized.

She threw herself entirely into her new job.

Sylvia thought adapting to a new city and a new life would be difficult.

Since getting together with Ford, she had never imagined a life without him.

But after exhausting days of work and collapsing into bed, only to start again the next morning, she realized she barely thought of him at all.

The police case had also concluded.

Ford and Lyla were released on bail and paid her a massive settlement.

The police told her that even if they pushed for jail time, it wouldn’t be long. Taking the money was the pragmatic choice.

Sylvia didn’t want to drag it out any longer, so she agreed.

One evening after work, her colleagues dragged her out for drinks.

Sylvia had a few drinks. Seeing everyone having fun, she excused herself to the restroom and stepped outside for some fresh air to clear her head.

Just as she stood in a quiet corner outside the restaurant, a slurred voice came from behind. “Sylvia, what are you doing out here all alone?”

She turned to see her new manager, Mr. Vance.

Vance was in his forties and usually looked professional in the office.

But right now, the smile he gave her was anything but professional.

She vaguely remembered a colleague mentioning that Vance’s wife was a shareholder with significant pull in the company.

Sensing something was off, she frowned and said coolly, “Just clearing my head. I was heading back inside. Enjoy your evening. Mr. Vance.”

She turned to leave, but Vance grabbed her wrist. “What’s the rush? Sylvia, you’re new to the New York office. There are rules you don’t know yet. You can ask me anything.”

“Don’t worry. With me looking out for you, you’ll thrive here. No one will touch you.”

Sylvia’s expression hardened as she tried to pull away. “Let go.”

Vance laughed. “Or what? Sylvia, don’t be ungrateful. I said I’d take care of you. But if you cross me, your life here is going to be very

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He Gave Her Strawberries. Gave Me Hives | Gave Them Both A Ame Ways

Chapter 11

difficult.”

A pretty girl like you, all alone in a foreign city… you need a protector.”

Sylvia laughed in disbelief at his audacity. “Mr. Vance, aren’t you afraid I’ll tell your wife?”

lance grinned, fearless. “Tell her? Do you have proof? Who do you think she’ll believe–me, or the ambitious new girl trying to sleep

er way to the top?”

ylvia said slowly, “How do you know I don’t have proof?”

lance’s smile froze.

¡efore he could speak, Sylvia brought her knee up hard into his groin.

Argh!!!”

‘ance let out a squeal like a dying pig.

ylvia yanked her arm free, spun around to run, but not before delivering a sharp slap to his face.

Bitch! You’re dead!”

‘ace twisted in agony and rage, Vance clutched his crotch and lunged at her.

ut he only made it two steps when suddenly…

rash!

wine bottle shattered over his head.

‘ance swayed for a second, then collapsed to the ground.

ylvia stared in shock at the man who stepped out of the shadows.

le was tall, easily six–two.

ressed in all black, blending into the darkness, Sylvia hadn’t noticed him at all.

he man dusted off his hands casually, walked up to Sylvia, and grinned. “You got guts.”

ylvia looked up at him, then down at Vance unconscious on the floor. After a beat, she rubbed her temples. “Not as much as you.”

he man smiled and extended a hand. “Chase Kingsley.”

Sylvia Morgan.”

he commotion quickly drew a crowd.

eeing the injury, the restaurant staff called the police.

s a witness and involved party, Sylvia had to go to the station.

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Chapter 11

Chase tagged along, acting as relaxed as if he were heading home, not to a police station,

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Vance, bandaged up and awake, immediately pointed the finger at Sylvia, claiming she tried to seduce him and attacked him when

he refused.

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