Chapter 4 - The Victim Complex
I returned to the office just after lunch.
As I walked toward my suite, Chloe stepped into the hallway, blocking my path.
She held a stack of files against her chest like a shield.
“Natalie… Ms. Mercer. Can we talk?”
Her voice was trembling, pitched perfectly to elicit sympathy.
“We have nothing to talk about, Chloe.”
“Please,” she whispered, tears welling up in her large, uncertain eyes.
I sighed and stepped into an empty side office. She followed.
“I just want to say I’m so sorry,” Chloe began, a single tear escaping down her cheek.
“Are you sorry you slept with my husband, or are you sorry I walked in on you?”
She flinched. “It wasn't like that. We didn't mean to hurt you.”
“You were in my bed, Chloe. Did you trip and fall onto my sheets?”
“He was so lonely!” she cried, clutching the files tighter.
“You don't understand him. He works so hard, and you just dismiss him.”
I stared at her, genuinely fascinated by the delusion.
“He told me how you treat him,” she continued, emboldened by my silence.
“Like an employee. Like a child. He just needed someone to listen to him.”
“Did he tell you that while he was buying you the Tribeca condo?”
Chloe froze. The tears stopped instantly.
“What?” she choked out.
“Or the Cartier watch you’re wearing right now? Did you listen to him extra hard for that?”
Her mouth opened, but no sound came out. The harmless facade cracked, revealing raw panic.
“I… I don't know what you're talking about.”
“You’re twenty-six, Chloe. You’re playing a game you don't understand.”
I took a step closer, lowering my voice.
“You thought you caught a wealthy, powerful CEO. But Daniel isn't the boss. I am.”
She took a step back, hitting the door frame.
“And the money he used to buy your loyalty? He stole it from me. Which makes you an accessory to corporate fraud.”
“He said the money was his!” she blurted out, her voice shrill.
“He lied,” I said simply.
May you like
I opened the door and gestured for her to leave.
“Enjoy the watch, Chloe. It’s going to be seized as evidence very soon.”
