Tom and Amber didn’t know that the secret house had been raided by Joseph who couldn’t wait to get his hand on solid evidences because there seemed to be none. He also got an information that Tom had Lawrence lodge in one of their expensive rooms when he came to Chicago.
“There is something they are all hiding and that will be exposed when I send this to the press” he bellowed as he entered the secret house after breaking down the lock through the help of an expert.
He searched every nooks and crannies, found the art works and another copy of the contract they both signed.
“This should be enough to get them and let’s see how they go about it when the whole world know that they were being deceived by them” Joseph laughed and ordered his secretary to send the evidences to the press.
The paid reporter reported just as Joseph wanted and released it on the news that a source had sent in a report that artist is pretending to be someone else.
Just as she was watching it on the TV in the meeting room, Tom also was watching from his office and he was surprised at the sudden news. He wondered where they got the information from but his mind could only point on one person. That is Joseph.
***
“You didn’t reveal that it originally belong to Tom? Why?” Charles questioned as they both watch the news over a drink.
Joseph just laughed a little, “I don’t have to reveal that myself, I just have to sit and watch the drama unfold. Will Tom declare himself as the owner? Then he will be losing his seat to the promise he made to my father that he would stop anything related to art, if he doesn’t step in then the company’s stock will be reduced to dust because of his secretary that was involved in something like that. So either way, he would still be losing his seat which means the days of Shellhouse mall is now numbered and I cannot wait to walk him out of office” he explained and Charles applauded him, he made him speechless.
“Wow, I taught you the game but you happened to surpass me now. You are a very intelligent bastard, only if you can pour this effort in your dying chemical company” Charles attacked but he scoffed.
“What do I need that for? I will just hire a professional for that and fold up Shellhouse mall by selling it off” said Joseph with an evil grin and Charles shook his head.
“You are a villain for real” Charles murmured.
***
Amber ran out of the meeting room and met Tom on the hallway, already on his way to her. She didn’t know how to react because the news came as a shock and it was going viral since it was on TV.
“What do I do? This will cause a very big damage to you” she panicked
“Let’s find a way to stop it first, I will explain to the press that I am the owner” he told her and she objected to idea immediately.
She knew the person behind the attack knows the real owner and just want Tom to expose himself by his mouth.
“You cannot do that! You are the target at this point and we must not give them what they want” she countered
“But you will be in trouble, you will be pointed to and call names” he stated with worries laced on his forehead.
“I can still pull through it because people will forget it in a week or two but you will be under pressure from everyone. Even the investors will be storming in with complaints soon” she stated.
They were still looking for a way out when Lawrence came up on the TV when he was given a call by one of the TV stations.
“Mr. Lawrence Manon, we received an anonymous tip now that the recent artist that was declared as the buzz worthy actor of the month and also your top artist was actually a fake. The works she presented was said to belong to someone else, are you aware of this fact or were you fooled too?” the TV host asked and Lawrence paused for a bit before answering.
“Well, I cannot say that I am not shocked by this news because whoever sent in the tip to the press should have easily confirmed from us first instead of going through this huge trouble. This is soiling the name of our artist in the mud and we will not take it lightly. Before I signed the contract with Miss Amber, I was well aware of the owner of the works and we reached an agreement together because they are a couple. The owner, which is her partner was going through some unresolved issues and also for some reasons didn’t want to reveal himself to the public but he claimed they drew every works he submitted for the exhibition together and also entered a contract to be his shadow. There is no law stating that two people cannot collaborate on a project and it is up to them to choose the person who will take the credit so we don’t have any issues with her” Lawrence calmly answered and paused to take a breather.
“Also, I am good friends with the partner and he asked me this as a special favor between friends so I was never deceived, I am only angry at someone who thought it is okay to call someone fake without checking out the facts and I will not stop until I catch that person. Please refrain from broadcasting what you do not know or confirm the fact before you cause unnecessary issues, thank you” he added and disconnected the call.
Everyone was already talking about it when they heard the news but with the confirmation from Lawrence and how he cleared the air, they all flagged it as a fake news and everything died down even though they were still talking about who her partner could be.
****
Joseph was extremely angry that his plan didn’t work again and drank alcohol to stupor. He managed to stagger inside and saw Tom where he was busy taking his dinner. He walked wobbly to the table and grabbed his shirt.
“Don’t think you have scaled through, I will make sure to pin you down and you won’t be able to escape my clutches so don’t rejoice yet” he spat out but Tom only yanked his hand off his shirt.
“You should shower and rest, you are drunk” Tom remarked and stood up to leave for his room.
“What? Are you afraid that you will not be able to protect her like the way you couldn’t protect your mother? You don’t want to lose your position but it is okay to put her up as a shield, isn’t it? You are nothing but a weak coward who deserves nothing good” he slammed Tom who paused at the sound of his words.
Tom rushed back and pushed Joseph till he slammed his back into the wall, his eyes were burning with anger as the words he just heard set fire all over his body. He knew it was partially true that he couldn’t protect his mother but he will never put up anyone as shield. He purposely didn’t challenge Joseph for all he had been doing all these while but he knew with the way things are going then he has to step up his game for Joseph to stop with his cheap tricks.
“If you dare come for what is mine, I will no longer let you be, I will make sure you pay for everything and painfully at that” he growled and him before throwing him to the floor.
***
Although the matter had die down at work, some of the older employees that were jealous of Amber were busy talking about the incident in the restroom when one of the younger employees challenged them about it.
“She always behave as if we are beneath her just because she’s working for the CEO when she’s just nothing. I was hoping she would get fired over the incident but she must have been lucky, I bet her days are numbered” one of them remarked and the other two laughed in support
“I can’t wait for her to get fuck out of this company” another stated and the junior employee listening to them talk in the stall flared up.
She rushed out of the stall and confronted them with her hands in akimbo, “You should be ashamed of yourselves for hating on a successful lady just because she’s younger than you. If you are placed in that position, you won’t even last long before you drop off!” she lashed at them and they couldn’t believe her gut.
They were about to slap her when she flew out of the bathroom only to meet Amber herself at the corridor.
“You should leave her and face me since I am here” she said to them and one of them walked forward to challenge her.
“What are you going to do if we say it your face? Slap us? Or tell the CEO to sack us?” the older employee queried.
“Should I try that? I think it might work out” she smirked, making them madder about her audacity.
“I think the time you are gossiping here with will be enough to finish the ledger you always turn in late” she slammed the older employee who was pained and gave her a hot unexpected slap across the face.
Amber and others were shocked beyond words at the unexpected turnout of events and before Amber could retaliate, a deep voice growled from the hallway where they were standing
“Who dares to hit my woman?” Tom shouted with anger and everyone covered their mouths at the sudden revelation.