He Waited She Wilted (Ottilie and Yorath) novel Chapter 214

Jevon and Elian stared at Ottilie as if she had lost her mind.

Then, without saying a single word, they turned and left.

They even took Major with them.

The dog, who hadn't seen her in years, was incredibly reluctant to leave. He pulled against the leash, wagging his tail at her and barking softly.

"Let me keep Major, Yorath," she said.

"He's used to living at The Empyrean," he replied. "He won't do well anywhere else."

Jevon grabbed the dog by the scruff of the neck and unceremoniously hauled him out the door.

The room fell into an eerie silence.

Facing him entirely on her own, Ottilie felt an overwhelming pressure bearing down on her.

She swallowed hard. "I just want a chance to make a living in the industry."

Yorath offered a smile that was equal parts gentle and wildly dangerous.

"If I were you, and I possessed that kind of evidence, I would take it to my grave—unless my life was in immediate, undeniable danger."

She listened without saying a word.

The truth was, her current situation felt just as perilous as a direct threat to her life.

He continued smoothly, "By telling me this now, you've given me the chance to make a single phone call and have St. Dymphna's entirely dismantled. Without a raid catching them red-handed, your 'evidence' is nothing but scrap paper."

She knew he was a master manipulator, which was exactly why she had been hoarding this leverage.

If she hadn't been backed into a corner, she never would have tipped her hand.

"I have witnesses. I have detailed documents and video footage. Even if you wipe that hospital off the map, you can't erase Quentin's black-market transactions. You can't silence every single person involved."

"Impressive preparation. But since you know so much, that gives me even more reason to never let you out of my sight."

Yorath stood up, slowly approached her, and tipped her chin up with his fingers.

"We don't need to do this, Tilly."

"You forced my hand."

"We could go back to the way things were. Whatever you want, I'll give it to you."

She couldn't explain it, but a deep sense of dread washed over her. It felt like a trap.

"It was an executive decision from the board. I couldn't change it even if I wanted to. I'm sure it's fine," he replied, his honest nature blinding him to any potential malice.

After setting a time for dinner, she hung up and sprinted out of the room.

The hotel hallway was empty; Yorath was nowhere to be seen.

She rushed toward the elevators and found him standing there, waiting for the doors to open.

"Yorath," she gasped, trying to catch her breath.

He glanced back at her. "Yes?"

"Did you arrange Mr. Walden's transfer?"

He smirked, offering neither a confirmation nor a denial.

She knew he would never leave a paper trail or outright confess to manipulating someone's career.

As the elevator doors chimed open and he moved to step inside, she grabbed his arm. "I'm sorry. I was wrong. Please, don't drag him into this. He's innocent."