chapter 153
Travis burned with such intense embarrassment as the words left his mouth that he wished the ground would swallow him whole.
His face flushed crimson, sweat pouring down his temples. He felt exposed, small-like he should disappear into thin air and never return. The weight of everyone’s eyes on him made his stomach churn.
Natalie smirked, clearly enjoying the moment. “Did you really mean it? Or are you only saying this now just to get the money back?”
Travis bowed his head lower, his voice barely above a whisper. “I really mean it. I lied… I didn’t call anyone. I just did it so Jessica could praise me.”
Jessica sighed deeply. Even though she understood this was mostly performative, a small part of her felt there might be some truth buried in his confession. What if Travis really did nothing and it was all just lies?* But she stayed cool, arms folded tightly across her chest, refusing to show any softness.
Natalie, still unconvinced by the sudden act, tilted her head. “If you really mean it, then kneel down and apologize properly. That’s the only way I’ll even consider returning the money.”
Mrs. Morgan screeched, her voice shrill with outrage. “What the heck! We already begged you and apologized, and you still want him to kneel?”
Natalie’s smirk deepened, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. “Seems like you aren’t ready yet. In fact, he wouldn’t be the only one. Jessica here will also kneel-for abusing me time without number, even though I still helped her out.”
Jessica’s head snapped up, shock flashing across her face. “What do you mean? I should kneel? Here? In front of everyone?”
Marcus, standing silently beside Natalie, looked momentarily surprised but said nothing. At least Natalie would use this to teach Jessica some much-needed lessons.
Mrs. Morgan protested loudly, “This is unfair! Travis made a mistake-we acknowledge that. All this isn’t necessary!”
Natalie’s voice turned icy and final. “Look, that’s it. Either they kneel and collect the money, or they refuse and forget about it.”
Jessica turned desperately to Marcus. “Why are you going to all this length just to embarrass me?”
Marcus shrugged casually, his arm still around Natalie. “It’s her you have an issue with, not me.”
Jessica gulped hard. She desperately needed that twenty million dollars back. The board would soon notice the massive debit, and it would wreck her position. She shot Travis a glare filled with pure fire-he had caused all this, but in that moment, she dropped her pride completely. Slowly, surprisingly, she knelt down. Her knees touched the cold, hard ground outside the venue, the humiliation burning through her.
Mrs. Morgan screamed again, “What the heck! Jessica, you shouldn’t-”
“I’m saying sorry for everything,” Jessica cut in, her voice steady despite the shame. “For all the times I abused you. I deserve this, please forgive me.”
She sounded sincere. Seeing Jessica on her knees, Travis had no choice. He followed, dropping down beside her with a heavy thud, head bowed in defeat.
1/3
Marcus was surprised.
The almighty Jessica he knew-the proud, unyielding businesswoman who never bowed to anyone had knelt so easily. She must have been truly desperate. She looked pitiful there on the cold ground, head slightly lowered as she whispered, “Please… just return the money.”
Travis joined in immediately, his voice shaky with humiliation. “It’s all my fault. We are so sorry.”
Jessica remained sincere in that moment. Deep down, she knew Natalie had gone all the way to track down Mr Smith and return the funds in the first place. That effort called for some acknowledgment, no matter how bitter the pill.
Natalie smirked, deliberately pausing to let a few curious passersby witness the scene. Whispers spread as people slowed their steps, staring at the two kneeling figures. “Look at them,” Natalie mocked lightly. “Maybe they’re beggars now? Twenty million dollars on their knees.”
Jessica tried to hide her face, cheeks burning with shame as she avoided the onlookers’ gazes. The humiliation cut deep, but the money mattered more.
“Well,” Natalie finally said, her tone dripping with satisfaction, “since you’ve apologized properly, I will return the money.” She pulled out her phone with elegant calm and made a few quick calls. It didn’t even take three minutes.
Ding!
Jessica’s phone chimed sharply. She unlocked it with trembling fingers. The credit alert appeared boldly: +20 million dollars. It was all there. This single act screamed one clear truth-Natalie wasn’t someone she could afford to offend. Not now, not ever.
“Thanks… I have seen it,” Jessica muttered, rising slowly to her feet and brushing off her knees.
Natalie waved her hand dismissively. “I don’t need your gratitude.” She turned gracefully, slipping her arm through Marcus’s once more. The pair began walking away, their steps unhurried and confident.
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