Chapter 267
Charlotte’s eyes stung before she could stop them.
Ethan’s words didn’t just threaten her—they pressed down on everything she had been trying to hold together. Her family. Her future. The fragile sense of safety she had only just managed to build under Khloe’s protection.
Instinctively, she turned toward Khloe.
Just one glance.
Like she needed proof she wasn’t alone in this room.
Ethan caught it immediately.
His expression darkened.
That reaction—small, involuntary—hit something in him far sharper than he expected. Charlotte had always been the one who looked fearless, even reckless at times. And now, in front of Khloe, she looked… dependent.
Fragile.
Protected.
The contrast irritated him.
“Charlotte,” Ethan said coldly, “if you’ve got the courage, take me to court.”
His gaze sharpened.
“And while you’re at it, do your job properly. Khloe can protect you today, but she can’t do it forever.”
The words were quiet, but every syllable carried weight.
Charlotte’s shoulders tightened.
Her throat went dry.
Before she could respond, Khloe stepped forward.
“Ethan,” she said evenly, “did you forget what I just said in the meeting?”
Ethan let out a short, irritated laugh.
“Khloe, are you ever going to stop?” His tone snapped sharper now. “Don’t push your luck.”
He knew exactly what she was referring to.
She held things.
Enough to make his position uncomfortable if used at the wrong time.
That was the only reason he hadn’t escalated things further.
But restraint had its limits.
Especially when he was being cornered like this—by her, and now by Charlotte too.
Khloe’s expression didn’t change.
“Apologize,” she said.
Simple.
Direct.
A command rather than a request.
The room went still.
HR froze mid-breath, suddenly very aware of how thin the air felt between them.
Ethan stared at her.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Then Charlotte, unable to bear the pressure any longer, tugged lightly at Khloe’s sleeve.
A silent plea.
Let it go.
Khloe didn’t look at her.
She didn’t even acknowledge the gesture.
“Fine,” Ethan said at last, voice flat.
A humorless smile flickered across his lips as he turned slightly toward Charlotte.
“I apologize.”
The words landed cleanly.
But not warmly.
Not sincerely.
Charlotte’s fingers curled slightly at her side.
It didn’t feel like a resolution.
It felt like exposure.
Khloe’s eyes narrowed faintly.
“That’s not enough,” she said.
Ethan’s gaze snapped back to her.
Khloe didn’t blink.
“An apology requires clarity. You should know exactly who you’re apologizing to—and it must be acceptable to the person involved.”
She reached for Charlotte’s wrist.
“Come on. Let’s go.”
Charlotte hesitated.
Khloe didn’t.
She turned to leave without another glance at Ethan.
The motion was final.
Uninterested in negotiation.
That indifference struck harder than any argument.
For a split second, something in Ethan’s expression tightened.
“Charlotte.”
His voice dropped.
The single word stopped her.
Not fully.
But enough.
He closed his eyes briefly, as if swallowing something sharp.
When he spoke again, the edge was gone—but only barely.
“I was wrong,” he said slowly. “I shouldn’t have done those things. I shouldn’t have pressured you. I apologize.”
A pause.
His gaze lifted.
“I won’t do it again.”
The silence that followed was heavy.
Charlotte didn’t turn back.
She stayed beside Khloe.
Khloe didn’t acknowledge Ethan’s apology at all.
Instead, she looked toward HR.
“Did you hear that?”
Her tone was calm again.
Detached.
“Follow procedure. Enforce company regulations.”
HR jolted upright.
“Yes, Miss Roswell.”
Only then did Khloe walk out with Charlotte.
After they left, the room loosened—but only slightly.
HR hesitated, then approached Ethan cautiously.
“Mr. Morrison… you don’t need to worry too much. Cases like this usually result in suspension or internal disciplinary action. With Clarice and the board involved, it likely won’t escalate further.”
She paused.
Then added carefully, “Since you apologized, the matter is… formally recorded.”
Ethan gave a low laugh.
“Recorded,” he repeated.
His eyes drifted toward the closed door Khloe had left through.
There was something sharp in his expression now.
Do not panic.
Not regret.
Calculation.
“So she’s trying to remove me,” he muttered.
HR quickly shook her head. “No, I didn’t mean—”
Ethan didn’t listen.
His smile deepened slightly, but it wasn’t warm.
It was controlled.
Almost amused.
“Let the procedure run,” he said quietly.
A pause.
“I’d like to see how far she intends to take this.”