But as soon as she stepped outside, Phillips and several bodyguards closed in around her.
Startled, Chelsey froze, her voice trembling. “Mr. Brown…”
Then she spotted Eric behind them, and the color drained from her face. “Mr. Scott…”
The bodyguards stepped aside as Eric advanced, his presence commanding the space. He stood tall, hands in his pockets, and fixed Chelsey with a gaze that was cold and unyielding.
His eyes flicked to the bag clutched tightly in her arms. “What are you carrying in that bag?”
Chelsey said nothing, only clutching it closer to her chest.
At the sight, Eric gave a short, mocking laugh. “You really think you can hide that from me?”
A hard line formed across his lips, but instead of addressing her, he turned to the bodyguards. “Check her bag.”
“Right away, Mr. Scott!”
Two bodyguards sprang into action. One restrained Chelsey firmly while the other ripped the bag from her grasp.
A flash of terror crossed her face as she struggled. “No! Please, don’t!”
But the bodyguard had already upended the bag, scattering its contents across the floor.
Among the coffee supplies, a small metal box tumbled out.
Eric’s scowl deepened. He pointed at the box and gave another order. “Open that.”
“Yes, Mr. Scott!” The bodyguard snapped it open and revealed a bottle of pills inside. Without hesitation, he handed it to Eric.
Eric inspected the label, then called Phillips over to confirm. This was the poison they had been searching for. Chelsey had been trying to dispose of the evidence.
Rage flared in Eric’s eyes as he fixed his gaze on Chelsey. His expression left no doubt about his fury. If she had been a man, he knew he would have struck her down right then and there.
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“Speak! Why did you poison Hadley?” Eric barked, his voice cold as ice.
After a tense beat, he shook his head, his tone unyielding. “No. This doesn’t add up. You have no reason to hate her. Someone put you up to this. Who was it?”
Chelsey’s legs gave out, and she collapsed to her knees, trembling violently. Eric hadn’t touched her, but the sheer intensity of his presence crushed whatever resistance she had left.
Tears streamed down her face as she stammered, “It was me… I did this.”
“Enough!” Eric’s roar cut through the room, veins standing out at his temple. “Stop the act! I know you’re lying!”
Just then, a commotion rose outside the lounge.
“What’s going on in there? Why is everyone shouting?”
Hadley appeared at the doorway.
Eric froze for a moment before stepping out to meet her. “Hadley…”
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